State v. Simpson

49 N.W.2d 777, 78 N.D. 360, 1951 N.D. LEXIS 95
CourtNorth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedOctober 31, 1951
DocketFile No. Cr. 237
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 49 N.W.2d 777 (State v. Simpson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering North Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Simpson, 49 N.W.2d 777, 78 N.D. 360, 1951 N.D. LEXIS 95 (N.D. 1951).

Opinion

Grimson, J.

This is a criminal contempt proceeding brought under Chapter 27-10 NDKC 1943. The proceedings arise from an action for the abatement of a common nuisance under Chap. 42-04 NDKC 1943. In that action, commenced Nov. 30, 1949, a complaint, verified by the State’s Attorney of Ward County, on information and belief, alleged that the defendant, Margaret Simpson, was maintaining a house of prostitution commonly known as a bawdy house, upon certain property in the City of Minot. Supporting the complaint was the affidavit of the state’s attorney, also on information and belief, to the same effect as the complaint. The prayer of the complaint was for an abatement of such nuisance and that the defendant be enjoined from using the' premises as a place for illicit sexual intercourse. A temporary injunction was issued restraining the defendant from maintaining a nuisance or engaging in a course of unlawful conduct on the premises “by permitting said premises to be used as a place for the illicit sexual intercourse until this action be tried and determined on its merits or until the further order of this court.” An order to the defendant to show cause was issued returnable Dec. 3, 1949, why the premises should not be shut up until.the time of the trial or further order of the court. The hearing on that petition was held. At that time the defendant appeared and challenged the jurisdiction of the court and the validity of the order to show cause. The court overruled the challenge and the objection of the defendant and issued its “injunctional warrant” directing the sheriff to shut up the premises by padlocking the same until the action would be tried. Thereupon the defendant applied for an appropriate supervisory writ of this court upon which application an order to show cause was issued. After hearing in this court the writ was granted and the district court directed to vacate the “injunctional warrant” [363]*363and release the premises. In connection therewith this court said: “The temporary injunction, however, heretofore referred to and of which the petitioner does not complain, will remain operative and in effect.” Simpson v. District Court of Ward County, 77 ND189, 42 NW2d 213.

On Sept. 7, 1950, the state’s attorney petitioned the district court of Ward County for an order to show cause why the defendant should not be held in criminal contempt because of an alleged violation of said temporary injunctional order. An order to show cause was issued, returnable Sept. 18, 1950. On the return date the defendant appeared by her attorney and made a motion to quash the order to show cause. The court denied the motion to quash, and ordered the state’s attorney to file a complaint in the form of affidavits “specifying the facts and circumstances charged against the defendant,” directed the defendant to “make a written answer thereto by affidavits” and set a hearing thereon for Oct. 16, 1950. The State’s Attorney filed such affidavits and the defendant answered. A hearing was had thereon. Oral evidence in addition to the pleadings and affidavits was heard. The court found the defendant guilty of criminal contempt and ordered judgment that she be imprisoned for 60 days, fined $100.00 and in default of payment that she be imprisoned until fine and costs were paid but not exceeding 30 days beginning at the expiration of the 60 day period. From that judgment this appeal is taken. Statement of the case was settled including the testimony taken and all the proceedings had.

A hearing on contempt charges is a special proceeding authorized by Chap. 27-10 NDRC 1943. The appeal is taken under Secs 42-0211 and 27-1024 NDRC 1943, the latter of which provides: “Upon such appeal, the supreme court may review all the proceedings had and all affidavits and other proof introduced by or against such person.”

Defendant alleges that the trial court erred in denying defendant’s objection to the jurisdiction of the court and her motion to quash the order to show cause why defendant should not be punished for contempt on the grounds that the application therefor did not show violation of any valid, temporary injunction.

[364]*364She claims, first, that the complaint and affidavits upon which the temporary injunction was granted did not state sufficient facts upon which to issue such an injunction. Both the complaint and the affidavit definitely describe by lot and block the premises defendant is alleged to occupy, allege that she maintains thereon a house of prostitution, and that she will continue to maintain such common nuisance unless restrained by an order or injunction of the court. The complaint further shows that H. L. Halvorson, Jr., was state’s attorney of Ward County. The affidavit shows further that the defendant was found guilty of operating a disorderly house on said premises in the police court of the City of Minot on Nov. 26, 1949. Clearly there are alleged sufficient grounds to give the court jurisdiction to issue a temporary injunction. See Secs 42-0202 and 32-0603 NDRC 1943.

Defendant complains because the temporary injunction was issued ex parte without a hearing. She cites Sec 42-0202 NDRC 1943, which provides that an injunction shall be granted at the commencement of an action for the abatement of a common nuisance “in the usual manner granting injunctions. . . .” Then she refers to Chapter 32-06 NDRC 1943 on injunctions and Sec 32-0606 NDRC 1943 thereof which provides that the court, before granting an injunction, may, if he deems it proper, issue an order to show cause why the injunction should not be granted and in the meantime restrain the defendant as prayed for. It is clear that this section recognizes the jurisdiction of the court to grant a temporary injunction ex parte and places the question of whether a hearing shall be had prior to such granting, within the discretion of the court. She further refers to Sec 32-0607 NDRC 1943, which provides that a restraining order should not be issued ex parte unless it shall be shown in the moving papers 'that an exigency exists requiring the immediate issuance of an order “so that the rights of the parties may be preserved.” That section refers to the restraining of acts not illegal in themselves but which may destroy the status quo of the matter in issue until the rights of the parties are adjudicated. It is hard to see how that section can apply to the situation in the case at bar. However, if jurisdiction existed, the failure to grant a prior hearing could have been no more than an irregularity and an [365]*365irregularity in the manner of the issuance of the temporary injunction cannot avail the defendant in a criminal contempt proceeding for violating the injunction.

The original action for the abatement of a nuisance was brought in equity under Chapter 42-02 NDRC 1943. By the summons, complaint and affidavit the court obtained jurisdiction of the subject matter and had full equity powers to issue a temporary injunction along the lines prayed for in the complaint. By the service of the original papers upon the defendant the court obtained jurisdiction of the defendant. The injunction was not void. Even if the injunction were held to be voidable for irregularity in its issuance the defendant could not raise that as a defense in a criminal contempt proceeding against her for violating the injunction. The issue on the criminal contempt proceeding is whether or not the defendant violated a valid order of the court. Whether it was issued irregularly or not would be a collateral issue. In State v. Markuson, 7 ND 155, 73 NW 82, an action was commenced to abate a liquor nuisance.

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49 N.W.2d 790 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 1951)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
49 N.W.2d 777, 78 N.D. 360, 1951 N.D. LEXIS 95, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-simpson-nd-1951.