Contempt of Court Benchbook

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CONTEMPTOFCOURTBENCHBOOKFOURTHEDITION

MICHIGANJUDICIALINSTITUTE2008-DECEMBER2010


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ContemptofCourtBenchbookFourthEdition

Michigan

Supreme

Court

TheHonorableRobertP.Young,Jr.,ChiefJustice

The Honorable Michael F. Cavanagh, the Honorable MarilynKelly,theHonorableStephenJ.Markman,theHonorableDiane

M.Hathaway,

the

Honorable

Mary

Beth

Kelly,

the

Honorable

BrianK.Zahra,Justices

Mr.CarlL.Gromek,JD,StateCourtAdministrator/ChiefofStaff

Michigan

Judicial

Institute

Staff

DawnF.McCarty,Director

AnneM.DeMarco,ProgramAssistant

RachaelDrenovsky,

Learning

Center

Coordinator

PhoenixHummel,ResearchAttorney

MaryAnnMcDaidMink,MultimediaDevelopmentSpecialist

SarahRoth,ResearchAttorney

CorrieS.SchmidtParker,ResearchAttorney

LisaSchmitz,PublicationsManager

TeriScott,

Administrative

Assistant

PeterC.Stathakis,ProgramManager

CathyWeitzel,Training&DevelopmentSpecialist

TheresearchdoneforthisbenchbookiscurrentthroughDecember2010. ThisbenchbookisnotintendedtobeanauthoritativestatementbythejusticesoftheMichiganSupremeCourtregardinganyofthesubstantiveissuesdiscussed.


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Acknowledgments

Thisbenchbook

is

the

fourth

edition

of

the

Contempt

of

Court

Benchguide

producedby the MichiganJudicial Institutes Publications Team andpublished in 1987. This publication is intended for usebyjudges andquasijudicialpersonnelwhoconductcontemptproceedings.Thisworkmayalsobeofinteresttoattorneyswhorepresentpersonschargedwithcontemptofcourt.It ishopedthatthisneweditionwillhelpclarifyanareaofthelawthathastraditionallybeenasourceofconfusionforthelegalcommunity.

SarahYust,MJIresearchattorney,updatedandrevisedthefourthedition

of

the

Contempt

of

Court

Benchbook,

and

Phoenix

Hummel,

former

MJIPublications Manager, served as editor. Mary Ann McDaid, MJIMultimediaSpecialist,wasresponsibleforpagelayout,coverdesign,andcoordination of reproduction. Denise D. Kruger, former MJIAdministrativeAssistant,coordinateddistribution.

MJIdirectorDawnF.McCartyandformerMJIstaffattorneyLeonhardJ.Kowalskiauthoredthe1987ContemptofCourtBenchguide.Hon.RandyL.Tahvonen, 29th Circuit Court, served as chairperson of its editorialadvisory committee. In addition, Hon. John L. Brundage, CalhounCountyProbateCourt,Hon.S.J.Elden,15thDistrictCourt,Hon.Harold

Hood,

Court

of

Appeals,

and

Hon.

Michael

L.

Stacey,

3rd

Circuit

Court,servedontheeditorialadvisorycommitteeforthe1987edition.Fundingforthe1987BenchguidewasprovidedbytheMichiganJusticeTrainingCommissionpursuanttoagrantadministeredbytheOfficeofCriminal

Justice.TherevisedandthirdeditionsoftheContemptofCourtBenchbookwere preparedby Tobin L. Miller, former MJI Publications Manager.Hon.RandyL.Tahvonen,29thCircuitCourt,servedaseditorialadvisorfortherevisededition.

The

Michigan

Judicial

Institute

(MJI)

was

created

in

1977

by

the

Michigan

SupremeCourt.MJIisresponsibleforprovidingeducationalprogramsandwrittenmaterialsforMichiganjudges and court personnel. In addition to formal seminar offerings, MJI isengagedinabroadrangeofpublicationactivities,services,andprojectsthataredesignedtoenhancetheprofessionalskillsofallthoseservingintheMichigancourtsystem. MJIwelcomescommentsandsuggestions. PleasesendthemtoMichiganJudicialInstitute,HallofJustice,P.O.Box30205,Lansing,MI48909. (517)3737171.


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TOC

1

TableofContents

Chapter1:TheNatureoftheContemptPower

1.1 DefinitionofContemptofCourt.......................................................... 11

1.2 PurposesoftheContemptPower ............................................................. 12

1.3 CourtsMust

Exercise

Contempt

Power

With

Restraint .......................

12

1.4 CourtsInherentAuthoritytoExerciseContemptPower .................... 13

A. StatutoryProvisionsIllustratingUseofCourtsContemptPowers 13B. CourtsLimitedbyPenaltyProvisionsinStatutes.............................. 16

1.5 StatutoryProvisionsAssigningContemptPowerstoParticularCourts ............................................................................................................. 16

1.6 ContemptPowersofQuasiJudicialOfficers......................................... 17

A. Magistrates............................................................................................... 17B. Referees..................................................................................................... 17

C. AdministrativeHearing

Officers ..........................................................

18

1.7 JurisdictionofContemptProceedings..................................................... 18

Chapter2:TypesofContemptofCourt

2.1 DistinguishingCivilandCriminalContempt....................................... 21

A. InreContemptofDougherty................................................................ 22B. ContemnorMustBeinPresentViolationoftheCourtsOrderfor

CoerciveRemedytoBeImposed.......................................................... 23C. AnticipatoryContempt .......................................................................... 24

2.2 ComparingCivil

and

Criminal

Contempt

Proceedings.......................

24

A. PurposeforImposingSanctions........................................................... 24B. TypesofSanctionsThatMayBeImposed .......................................... 25C. IntentoftheContemnor......................................................................... 26D. StandardofProof .................................................................................... 27E. PrimaryInterestedParty........................................................................ 27F. CourtsAbilitytoRestoretheStatusQuoAnte ................................. 28G. ContemnorsAbilitytoPurgetheContempt...................................... 29

2.3 Table:ComparisonofCivilandCriminalContempt ......................... 210


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2.4 DirectContempt(SummaryContemptProceedings) ..................... 211

A. ImmediateViewandPresence........................................................ 211B. DuringItsSitting............................................................................... 212

2.5 IndirectContempt...................................................................................... 212

2.6 Summary:

Elements

of

Contempt

of

Court...........................................

2

12A. DirectCriminalContempt ................................................................... 212B. DirectCivilContempt .......................................................................... 213C. IndirectCriminalContempt................................................................ 213D. IndirectCivilContempt ....................................................................... 214

Chapter3:ProceduralRequirements

3.1 ThresholdDeterminations......................................................................... 32

A. InformingAllegedContemnoroftheNatureoftheProceedings... 32B. DeterminingWhetheraHearingIsRequired..................................... 32

3.2 ProceduralDueProcessRequirements.................................................... 33

A. GeneralRequirementsforAllCasesofIndirectContempt.............. 33B. ProceduralRequirementsThatDifferDependingUponWhether

ProceedingIsCivilorCriminal ............................................................ 33

3.3 SummaryContemptProceedings ............................................................. 34

3.4 DeferredProceedings.................................................................................. 35

3.5 IndirectContempt........................................................................................ 36

3.6 ProsecutionofIndirectContemptActions ............................................. 36

A. SpecificIndirect

Contempt

Proceedings..............................................

36

B. UnspecifiedIndirectContemptProceedings...................................... 37

3.7 RighttoCounselforAllegedContemnor ............................................... 38

3.8 InitiationofProceedingsbyAffidavitorOtherMethod..................... 38

A. InitiationbyAffidavit............................................................................. 38B. OtherMethodofInitiatingProceedings.......................................... 39C. WaiverofNotice ................................................................................... 310

3.9 RequirementsforAffidavits.................................................................... 310

A. AffidavitsMustBeBasedonPersonalKnowledge ......................... 310

B. NoticeRequirements ............................................................................

311

C. ProofofDamages.................................................................................. 311D. ServiceofMotionandAffidavitonAllegedContemnor................ 311

3.10 RequirementsforOrderstoShowCause.............................................. 311

3.11 RequirementsforBenchWarrants ......................................................... 312

3.12 WritsofHabeasCorpusforPrisonersChargedWithContempt ..... 313

3.13 BondinLieuofArrest............................................................................... 313

3.14 DisqualificationofJudge ......................................................................... 314


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ContemptofCourtBenchbookFourthEdition TableofContents

A. DirectContemptProceedings ............................................................. 314B. IndirectContemptCases...................................................................... 315C. CasesInvolvingPublicationofCommentsConcerningCourt

orJudge .................................................................................................. 315

3.15 RighttoJuryTrialRestrictedtoSeriousCriminalContempt....... 315

3.16 Applicabilityof

Rules

of

Evidence ........................................................

316

Chapter4:SanctionsforContemptofCourt

4.1 StatutoryProvisionsforSanctionsinContemptCases........................ 42

4.2 JailTermsandFines .................................................................................... 43

A. ForCivilContempt ................................................................................. 43B. ForCriminalContempt.......................................................................... 43C. TerminationofIncarcerationinCasesofCivilContempt ................ 44D. SuspensionofFinesinCasesofCivilContempt................................ 44

E. ExcessiveCivil

Fines...........................................................................

44

F. CumulativePunishment........................................................................ 44G. FinesandAlternativeJailSentencesinCriminalContemptCases . 45

4.3 MandatoryCompensatorySanctions....................................................... 45

A. DeterminingtheAmountofLossorInjury ........................................ 46B. PerDiemDamages ................................................................................. 46C. CostsofCourtProceedings ................................................................... 46D. AttorneyFees........................................................................................... 47

4.4 StatutoryExceptionstotheGeneralPenaltyProvisionsoftheRevisedJudicatureAct................................................................................ 47

A. FailureofWitnesstoObeySubpoenaorDiscoveryOrder............... 47B. FailureofGrandJuryWitnesstoTestify............................................. 48C. FailuretoPayChildorSpousalSupport............................................. 48D. FailuretoComplyWithParentingTimeOrderinDivorce

Judgment................................................................................................ 410E. FailuretoAbatePublicNuisance ....................................................... 411

4.5 AssignmentofBondforRecoveryofDamages ................................... 411

4.6 RequirementsforCourtsOpinionandOrder..................................... 411

4.7 AppealsofContemptOrders................................................................... 412

A. Appealsto

Circuit

Court

and

Court

of

Appeals ..............................

412

B. StandardofReview .............................................................................. 413C. WaiverofIrregularitiesinInitiatingProceedings............................ 413

4.8 DoubleJeopardy ........................................................................................ 413

Chapter5:CommonFormsofContemptofCourt

5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 53

5.2 AttorneysMisconductinCourtroom ...................................................... 53


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A. Statute ....................................................................................................... 53B. ZealousRepresentationorContumaciousConduct? ........................ 54C. ExcusingtheJury .................................................................................... 55

5.3 AttorneysFailuretoAppearinCourt ..................................................... 55

A. Statute ....................................................................................................... 55

B. AttorneysDuty

as

Officer

of

Court.....................................................

55

C. IndirectContempt................................................................................... 56D. Civilvs.CriminalContempt ................................................................. 56

5.4 FailureofWitnesstoAppearorTestifyasOrderedbySubpoena .... 57

A. StatuteandCourtRule........................................................................... 57B. IndirectContempt................................................................................... 58

5.5 JurorMisconduct.......................................................................................... 58

5.6 ViolationofCourtOrder............................................................................ 59

A. Statute ....................................................................................................... 59

B. Civilor

Criminal

Contempt

Proceedings............................................

59

C. EvenClearlyIncorrectOrdersMustBeObeyed .............................. 510D. RelianceonAttorneysAdvice............................................................ 512E. Injunctions.............................................................................................. 512

5.7 ViolationofCourtOrderRegardingNuisance.................................... 512

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 512B. CriminalContempt............................................................................... 513

5.8 FailuretoPayMoneyJudgment ............................................................. 513

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 513

B. Limitation

of

Contempt

Power

to

Enforce

Money

Judgments ......

5

13C. Exception:SpecificFundorArticle .................................................... 514D. Exception:DutytoPayArisingFromaFiduciaryRelationship.... 515E. Exception:ChildorSpousalSupport................................................. 515

5.9 FailuretoPayChildorSpousalSupport............................................... 516

A. Statutes ................................................................................................... 516B. RighttoCounsel.................................................................................... 518C. AbilitytoPaySupportArrearageandSanctions ............................. 518D. DeterminingAbilitytoPay ................................................................. 521E. StatutoryPresumptionofAbilitytoPay ........................................... 522F. CivilorCriminalContemptProceedings.......................................... 523G. Waiver

of

Contempt

and

Hearing

on

Modification

of

Support

Order....................................................................................................... 523

5.10 ViolationofParentingTimeOrderinDivorceJudgment................. 524

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 524B. CivilorCriminalContemptProceedings.......................................... 526

5.11 ViolationofPersonalProtectionOrder(PPO) ..................................... 526

5.12 CriminalDefendantsDisruptiveBehaviorinCourt ......................... 527


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A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 527B. ConstitutionalRighttoBePresentatTrial........................................ 527C. ConstitutionallyPermissibleSolutions.............................................. 528

5.13 WitnesssRefusaltoTestify..................................................................... 529

A. StatutesandCourtRule ....................................................................... 529

B. FifthAmendment

Privilege

Against

Self

Incrimination.................

530

C. UseofSummaryContemptProceedings .......................................... 530D. CivilSanctions....................................................................................... 530E. ExcusingtheJury .................................................................................. 530

5.14 GrandJuryWitnesssRefusaltoTestify............................................... 531

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 531B. CivilContemptProceedings ............................................................... 531C. SanctionsforRepeatedRefusaltoTestify ......................................... 531

5.15 FilingFalsePleadingsandDocuments ................................................. 532

A. Statuteand

Court

Rule.........................................................................

532B. IndirectContempt................................................................................. 533

C. FalseorEvasiveTestimonyorPleading............................................ 533

5.16 PartiesandAttorneysinCivilCasesWhoViolateDiscoveryOrders........................................................................................................... 533

A. StatuteandCourtRules ....................................................................... 533B. Attorneys................................................................................................ 534C. RefusaltoSubmittoPaternityTest.................................................... 534

5.17 CriticismoftheCourt................................................................................ 535

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 535B. Freedom

of

Speech................................................................................

535

C. TesttoDetermineWhetherCriticismIsContumacious ................. 536

5.18 InterferingWithaWitnessorObstructingJudicialProcess............. 537

A. InterferenceWithWitnesses................................................................ 538B. Bribery .................................................................................................... 538

5.19 ImproperAttempttoAffectJurorsandPotentialJurors.................... 538

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 538B. SiteofContactWithJurorsIrrelevant................................................ 538C. PrejudicetoaPartyUnnecessary ....................................................... 538

5.20 FiduciariesWho

Violate

Court

Orders ..................................................

539

A. Statute ..................................................................................................... 539B. FailuretoComplyWithCourtOrder ................................................ 539

5.21 ContemptofCourtUndertheJuvenileCode....................................... 539

A. StatutesandCourtRule ....................................................................... 539B. CommonUsesofContemptPowerinJuvenileandChild

ProtectiveProceedings......................................................................... 540


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C. EnforcementofPersonalProtectionOrders(PPOs)AgainstJuveniles ................................................................................................. 541

D. Jurisdiction............................................................................................. 541E. AuthoritytoPunishJuvenileforContemptCommittedin

ProceedingsNotUndertheJuvenileCode ....................................... 542

5.22 Table:Procedures

and

Sanctions

for

Common

Forms

of

Contempt ..................................................................................................... 543


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1

Chapter 1

TheNatureoftheContemptPower

1.1 DefinitionofContemptofCourt....................................................... 11

1.2 PurposesoftheContemptPower ........................................................ 12

1.3 CourtsMust

Exercise

Contempt

Power

With

Restraint .......................

12

1.4 CourtsInherentAuthoritytoExerciseContemptPower .................... 13

A. StatutoryProvisionsIllustratingUseofCourtsContempt

Powers ........................................................................................... 13

B. CourtsLimitedbyPenaltyProvisionsinStatutes ......................... 16

1.5 StatutoryProvisionsAssigningContemptPowerstoParticular

Courts ................................................................................................... 16

1.6 ContemptPowersofQuasiJudicialOfficers........................................ 17

A. Magistrates.................................................................................... 17

B. Referees ........................................................................................ 17

C. AdministrativeHearing

Officers

....................................................

18

1.7 JurisdictionofContemptProceedings ................................................. 18

1.1 DefinitionofContemptofCourt

Contemptofcourt isawilfulact,omission,orstatement that tends toimpairtheauthorityorimpedethefunctioningofacourt.InreContemptofRobertson(DavillavFischerCorp),209MichApp433,436(1995).

Examples ofcontempt of court includedisruptivecourtroombehavior,

failureto

appear

in

court

when

required,

failure

to

testify

when

required,

andfailuretoobeyacourtorder.1

1SeeChapter5fordiscussionofcommonformsofcontempt.


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1.2 PurposesoftheContemptPower

The primary purpose of the contempt power is to preserve theeffectivenessandsustainthepowerofthecourts.PeoplevKurz,35MichApp643,656(1971).Asecondarypurposeistoprotectandenforcethe

parties

rights

by

compelling

obedience

to

court

orders

and

judgments.HarveyvLewis(AppealofList),10MichApp709,715716(1968),citingInreNevitt,117F448(CA8,1902).

To carry out these purposes, courts impose three general types ofsanctions.Forcriminalcontempt,thecourtimposespunitivesanctionstovindicate its authority. For civil contempt, the court imposes coercivesanctionstoforcecompliancewithitsorders.Inaddition,incaseswhereactualdamageisshown,thecourtmayordercompensatoryreliefforaparty.InreContemptofUnitedStationersSupplyCo(WalkervHenderson),239MichApp496,499(2000).

Criminalcontemptsanctionstypicallyincludeajail termandfinesthatareintendedtopunishpastcontumaciousbehavior.Probationarytermsmay also be imposed in cases of criminal contempt. Civil contemptsanctions typically include a fine or jail term that ends when theoffendingbehavior ends, and money damages maybe awarded to theinjuredparty.2

1.3 CourtsMustExerciseContemptPowerWithRestraint

The

power

to

punish

for

contempt

is

awesome

and

carries

with

it

theequally great responsibility to apply itjudiciously and only when thecontemptisclearlyandunequivocallyshown.PeoplevMatish,384Mich568, 572 (1971). Defendants in contempt proceedings shouldbe giveneveryopportunity toexonerate themselves. In reWhite,327Mich316,317(1950).

Courts must exercise the least possible power adequate to the endproposed[.]AndersonvDunn,19US204,231(1821).Criminalcontemptsanctions shouldbe utilized only after thejudge has determined, forgoodreason,thatcivilcontemptremediesareinappropriate.Shillitaniv

United

States,

384

US

364,

371

n

9

(1971).3

Foradiscussionofthemisuseofthecontemptpowerbyjudges,seeInreHague, 412 Mich 532, 554555 (1982) (judge threatened prosecutor withcontempt ifhecontinued to fileprostitutioncases),and InreSeitz,441Mich590,599604(1993)(judgehadanindividualarrestedandjailedfor

2Forfurtherdiscussionofcriminalandcivilcontemptsanctions,seeChapter2.

3Fordiscussionofthedifferencesbetweencivilandcriminalcontemptofcourt,seeSections2.1,2.2,2.3.


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ContemptofCourtBenchbookFourthEdition Section1.4

failing to follow his order which contradicted an administrative orderfromthechiefjudge).

1.4 CourtsInherentAuthoritytoExerciseContempt

PowerCourtsauthoritytopunishforcontemptisinherentinthejudicialpowervestedincourtsbyConst1963,art6,1.InInreHuff,352Mich402,415416(1958),theMichiganSupremeCourtstated:

Thereisinherentpowerinthecourts,tothefullextentthatit existed in the courts of England at the common law,independent of, as well asby reason of statute, which ismerely declaratory and in affirmation thereof, to adjudgeandpunishforcontempt . . . .Suchinherentpowerextends

not

only

to

contempt

committed

in

the

presence

of

the

court,but also to constructive contempt arising from refusal ofdefendanttocomplywithanorderofthecourt.Suchpower,

being inherent and a part of the judicial power ofconstitutionalcourts,cannotbelimitedortakenawaybyactofthelegislaturenorisitdependentonlegislativeprovisionfor its validity or procedures to effectuate it. (Internalcitationsomitted.)

See also People vJoseph, 384 Mich 24, 35 (1970), and In reContempt ofDougherty,429Mich81,91n14(1987),andcasescitedtherein.

A. StatutoryProvisionsIllustratingUseofCourtsContemptPowers

Asnoted,courtshaveinherentpowertopunishcontemptofcourt.This power cannotbe limitedby statute,but the Legislature maystillprovideforuseofthecontemptpowerincertainsituations.TheMichiganLegislaturehasenactednumerousstatutesprovidingfortheuseofthecontemptpower.Thebroadestofthesestatutes,MCL600.1701,containsprovisionsillustrativeoftheusesofthecontemptpower.Thatstatutestates:

Thesupremecourt,circuitcourt,andallothercourtsofrecord,havepowertopunishbyfineorimprisonment,orboth, persons guilty of any neglect or violation ofdutyormisconductinallofthefollowingcases:

(a) Disorderly, contemptuous, or insolentbehavior, committed during its sitting, in itsimmediate view and presence, and directly
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xat5045eed555ed3b1f3r45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-VI-1http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701


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tending to interrupt itsproceedingsor impair therespectdueitsauthority.

(b)Anybreachofthepeace,noise,ordisturbancedirectlytendingtointerruptitsproceedings.

(c)

All

attorneys,

counselors,

clerks,

registers,sheriffs, coroners, and all other persons in anymanner elected or appointed to perform any

judicialorministerialservices,foranymisbehaviorintheirofficeortrust,orforanywillfulneglectorviolationofduty, fordisobedienceofanyprocessof the court, or any lawful order of the court, oranylawfulorderofajudgeofthecourtorofanyofficer authorized to perform the duties of the

judge.

(d)Parties

to

actions

for

putting

in

fictitious

bailorsuretiesorforanydeceitorabuseoftheprocess

orproceedingsofthecourt.

(e) Parties to actions, attorneys, counselors, andallotherpersonsforthenonpaymentofanysumofmoneywhichthecourthasorderedtobepaid.

(f)Partiestoactions,attorneys,counselors,andallotherpersonsfordisobeyingorrefusingtocomplywith any order of the court for the payment oftemporary or permanent alimony or supportmoney

or

costs

made

in

any

action

for

divorce

or

separatemaintenance.

(g) Parties to actions, attorneys, counselors, andallotherpersonsfordisobeyinganylawfulorder,decree,orprocessofthecourt.

(h)Allpersonsforassuming tobeandactingasofficers, attorneys, or counselors of any courtwithout authority; for rescuing any property orpersons that are in the custody of an officerby

virtue

of

process

issued

from

that

court;

forunlawfully detaining any witness or party to anactionwhileheorsheisgoingto,remainingat,orreturning from the court where the action ispending for trial, or for any other unlawfulinterference with or resistance to the process orproceedingsinanyaction.

(i)Allpersonswho,havingbeensubpoenaed toappearbeforeorattend,refuseorneglect toobey


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the subpoena, to attend, to be sworn, or whensworn, to answer any legal and properinterrogatory in any of the followingcircumstances:

(i)Asawitnessinanycourtinthisstate.

(ii) Any officer of a court of record who isempoweredtoreceiveevidence.

(iii) Any commissioner appointed by anycourtofrecordtotaketestimony.

(iv) Any referees or auditors appointedaccording to the law to hear any cause ormatter.

(v)Anynotarypublicorotherpersonbefore

whom

any

affidavit

or

deposition

is

tobe

taken.

(j)Personssummonedasjurors inanycourt,forimproperlyconversingwithanypartytoanactionwhichistobetriedinthatcourt,orwithanyotherperson in regard to merits of the action, or forreceiving communications from any party to theactionoranyotherpersoninrelationtothemeritsof the action without immediately disclosing thecommunicationstothecourt.

(k)Allinferiormagistrates,officers,andtribunalsfordisobedienceofanylawfulorderorprocessofasuperiorcourt,orforproceedinginanycauseormattercontrarytolawafterthecauseormatterhas

beenremovedfromtheirjurisdiction.

(l)Thepublicationofafalseorgrosslyinaccuratereportofthecourtsproceedings,butacourtshallnotpunish as acontempt thepublicationof true,full, and fair reports of any trial, argument,

proceedings,

or

decision

had

in

the

court.(m) All other cases where attachments andproceedings as for contempts havebeen usuallyadopted and practiced in courts of record toenforce the civil remedies of any parties or toprotecttherightsofanyparty.MCL600.1701.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701


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B. CourtsLimitedbyPenaltyProvisionsinStatutes

Although courts have inherent contempt powers, where theLegislature provides penalties for contempt of court, courts mustabidebysuchprovisionsunlesstheyareunconstitutional.CrossCovUAWLocalNo155(AFLCIO),377Mich202,223(1966),andCatsmanvCity

of

Flint,

18

Mich

App

641,

648

650

(1969).

1.5 StatutoryProvisionsAssigningContemptPowerstoParticularCourts

MCL 600.1701 assigns contempt power to the supreme court, circuitcourt,andallothercourtsofrecord....(Emphasisadded.)

Under MCL 600.1416(1), the other courts of record are the Court of

Appeals,

the

Court

of

Claims,

probate

courts,

and

any

other

courts

thelegislaturedesignatesascourtsofrecord.Inaddition,statutesassignthedistrictandmunicipalcourtscontemptpower.Thus, inaddition to theMichigan Supreme Court and the circuit courts, the following courtspossesscontemptpower:

CourtofAppeals.TheCourtofAppeals isacourtofrecord.Therefore,ithastheauthoritytopunishattorneysandpartiesfor disobedience of its orders. In reAlbert, 383 Mich 722, 724(1970), and In re Contempt of Calcutt (Calcutt vHarper GraceHospitals),184MichApp749,756757(1990).

District and Municipal Courts. MCL 600.8317 states in partthat district courts have the same power to . . . punish forcontemptasthecircuitcourtnowhasormayhereafterhave.SeealsoMCL600.6502,whichstatesthatmunicipalcourtsaregovernedby statutes and supreme court rules applicable tothedistrictcourt,exceptasotherwiseprovided.

Probate Courts. In addition to MCL 600.1701, MCL 600.801provides that the probate court is a court of record.Therefore, the probate courts have the samebroad contemptpowers as those conferred upon all courts of recordby MCL600.1701.

Court of Claims. MCL 600.6428 states that [t]he court ofclaims is hereby given the same power . . . to punish forcontempt as the circuit courts of this state now have or mayhereafterhave.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1416http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1416http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1416http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8317http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8317http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8317http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6502http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6502http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6502http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-801http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-801http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-801http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6428http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6428http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6428http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6428http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-801http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-6502http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8317http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1416http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701


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1.6 ContemptPowersofQuasi-JudicialOfficers

MCL 600.1701(c) states thatjudges may find persons in contempt fordisobeying the lawfulordersofanyofficerauthorized toperform theduties of the judge. Thus, a judge may punish a contemnor for

disobedience

of

an

order

issued

or

recommended

by

a

quasi

judicialofficer. MCL 600.1701(i)(ii) and (iv) provide more specific authority incaseswhereapersonhasdisobeyedasubpoena.Undertheseprovisions,[a]nyofficerofacourtofrecordwhoisempoweredtoreceiveevidenceand[a]nyrefereesorauditorsappointedaccording to the law tohearanycauseormattermayrecommendthatajudgepunishascontemptofcourtthedisobedienceofasubpoena.

Inadditiontothesegeneralrules,severalstatutesandcourtrulesprovidemore specific guidance on the authority of quasijudicial officers topunishforcontempt.

A. Magistrates

MCR4.401(A)requiresproceedings involvingmagistrates tobe inaccordance with relevant statutes. MCR 4.401(B) states that[n]otwithstandingstatutoryprovisionstothecontrary,magistratesexerciseonlythosedutiesexpresslyauthorizedbythechiefjudgeofthe districtor division.The wordonly is awordof limitation:even though MCL 600.8511 specifically authorizes a magistrate toconduct a certain type of proceeding, the magistrate may notconduct that type of proceeding unless authorized by the chief

judge.

MCR

4.401(B)

allows

the

chiefjudge

to

limit

the

types

of

proceedings conductedby a magistrate,but it does not expresslyallowthechiefjudgetoexpandamagistratesdutiesbeyondthoselistedinMCL600.8501etseq.

Underspecificcircumstancesandifauthorizedtodosobythechiefjudge, district court magistrates may conduct arraignments forcontempt violations. MCL 600.8511(d) authorizes a district courtmagistrate to conduct arraignments for contempt violations thatarise[] directly out of a case for which ajudge or district courtmagistrateconductedthearraignmentundersubdivision(a),(b),or

(c),or

the

first

appearance

under

section

8513,

involving

the

same

defendant.Districtcourtmagistratesarenotauthorizedtoconductviolation hearings or sentencings,but may setbond and acceptpleas.MCL600.8511(d).

B. Referees

Circuitcourtrefereesmayconductcontemptproceedingsbutmaynotissuecontemptorders.SteingoldvWayneCoProbateCourtJudge(InreSmith),244MichApp153,157(2000).4
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8501http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8501http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8501http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8501http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8501http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-8511http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter4DistrictCourt.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701


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C. AdministrativeHearingOfficers

The Legislature has given many governmental agencies contemptpowerstopunishdisobedienceof theirhearingofficersorders.Intheseinstances,astatutewilleitherprovidefordirectauthoritytoexercisethecontemptpowerorrequiretheagencytoapply tothecircuit

court

to

initiate

contempt

proceedings

or

enforce

acontempt

citation.Seeforexample:

MCL257.322(3)(c)(inaccordancewithrulesandpracticeincircuitcourts,SecretaryofStatehearingofficermaypunishforcontemptwitnesseswhofailtoappearortestify);

MCL 418.853 (after Workers Disability CompensationBureaumagistrateenterscontemptorder,magistratemayapplytocircuitcourtforenforcementoftheorder);5and

MCL

408.1029

(Department

of

Labor

may

apply

to

circuitcourt for order compelling evidence or testimony, andfailure to obey such an order may be punished ascontempt).

1.7 JurisdictionofContemptProceedings

The court with jurisdiction of the proceedings during which thecontemptoccurredhasjurisdictionofthecontemptproceedings.PeoplevJoseph,384Mich24,3435(1970),andInreSummerville,148MichApp334,340341 (1986) (juvenile court hasjurisdiction to conduct contemptproceedings

for

violations

of

its

orders

even

after

the

child

involved

has

passedthemaximumjurisdictionalage).

Apersonmaynotbeheldincontemptofcourtfordisobeyinganorderthecourtwaswithoutjurisdictiontomake.TeaselvDeptofMentalHealth,419Mich390,417(1984).6

In cases of indirect contempt, absent a sufficient affidavit,jurisdictionovertheallegedcontemnordoesnotattach.SteingoldvWayneCoProbateCourtJudge(InreSmith),244MichApp153,157159(2000).7

4 See Sections 5.9, 5.10, and 5.21 for detailed discussion ofjuvenile and domestic relations contempt

proceedings.

5SeealsoInreContemptofRobertson(DavillavFischerCorp),209MichApp433,439(1995)).

6ButseeSection5.6(C)(obedienceofincorrectorders).

7SeeSection3.9foradiscussionofaffidavits.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-322http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-322http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-322http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-418-853http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-418-853http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-418-853http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-408-1029http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-408-1029http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-408-1029http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-408-1029http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-322http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-418-853


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The filing of an unverified affidavit is not a jurisdictional defect;therefore,itmaybecuredbyamendment.StoltmanvStoltman,170MichApp653,656657(1988).


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Chapter 2

TypesofContemptofCourt

2.1 DistinguishingCivilandCriminalContempt ......................................... 21

A. InreContemptofDougherty ........................................................ 22

B. ContemnorMust

Be

in

Present

Violation

of

the

Courts

Order

for

CoerciveRemedytoBeImposed .................................................. 23

C. AnticipatoryContempt ................................................................. 24

2.2 ComparingCivilandCriminalContemptProceedings ......................... 24

A. PurposeforImposingSanctions .................................................... 24

B. TypesofSanctionsThatMayBeImposed .................................... 25

C. IntentoftheContemnor............................................................... 26

D. StandardofProof.......................................................................... 27

E. PrimaryInterestedParty............................................................... 27

F. CourtsAbilitytoRestoretheStatusQuoAnte ............................ 28

G. ContemnorsAbilitytoPurgetheContempt ................................ 29

2.3 Table:ComparisonofCivilandCriminalContempt ........................... 210

2.4 DirectContempt(SummaryContemptProceedings) ..................... 211

A. ImmediateViewandPresence................................................. 211

B. DuringItsSitting ...................................................................... 212

2.5 IndirectContempt .............................................................................. 212

2.6 Summary:ElementsofContemptofCourt........................................ 212

A. DirectCriminalContempt............................................................ 212

B. DirectCivilContempt.................................................................. 213

C. IndirectCriminalContempt ........................................................ 213

D. IndirectCivilContempt ............................................................... 214

2.1 DistinguishingCivilandCriminalContempt

The sui generis nature of contempt proceedings has often obfuscatedthe distinctionbetween criminal and civil contempt. In reContemptofDougherty,429Mich81,90(1987).Thisissoinpartbecauseapermissiblesanctionforbothcivilandcriminalcontemptofcourtisincarceratingthecontemnor.Seeid.at9091.


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However,priortotheinitiationofacontemptproceeding,itisnecessaryto distinguish between civil and criminal contempt because some,thoughnotall,oftheproceduralsafeguardsappliedinordinarycriminalproceedingsapply tocriminalcontemptproceedings.Id.at91.SeealsoPeoplevJohns,384Mich325,331(1971),andSandsvSands,192MichApp

698,

702

703

(1992)

(where

defendant

was

not

informed

until

sentencingthathewasfoundincriminalcontempt,convictionmustbereversed).

Todistinguishcivilfromcriminalcontempt,itisnecessarytolookatthepurpose of the sanctions. If the purpose of a sanction is to punish thecontemnor for a past act that he or she was forbidden to do, criminalcontempt proceedings may be instituted. If, on the other hand, thepurposeof thesanction is tocoerce thecontemnor todoanact for the

benefit of the complainant, then civil contempt proceedings areappropriate. See In reContemptofAutoClub InsAssn (AlgarawivAutoClub Assn), 243 Mich App 697, 715716 (2000). A recent detailed

discussion

of

the

distinction

between

civil

and

criminal

contempt

iscontainedinInreContemptofDougherty,supra.

A. In

re

Contempt

of

Dougherty

InDougherty,thedefendantswerefoundincivilcontemptofcourtfor violating a permanent injunction prohibiting them fromtrespassingontheplaintiffspropertyandhinderingaccesstoandegress from the plaintiffs industrial plant. The defendants were

jaileduntiltheypromisednottoviolatetheinjunctioninthefuture.The Supreme Court held that the trial court erredby imposing a

coercivesanction

to

compel

future

compliance

with

the

injunction

wheretherewasonlyapastviolationoftheinjunction.Becausetheviolation occurred in the past and the defendants were incompliancewiththeinjunctionatthetimeofthecontempthearing,the trial court was limited to instituting criminal contemptproceedings and imposing criminal contempt sanctions upon thedefendants,or to issuingacivilcontemptordercompensating theplaintiffforactuallossescausedbythedefendantsactions.Id.at87.

Insoholding, theDougherty majority adopted thegeneral test fordistinguishing civil and criminal contempt set forth inGompers v

BucksStove

&

Range

Co,

221

US

418,

443

(1911),

and

restated

in

People

ex relAttorneyGenvYarowsky (In reSmith),236Mich169,171172(1926).Dougherty,supraat9596.Thisteststates:

The distinction between refusing to do an actcommanded,remedied by imprisonment until theparty performs the required act; and doing an actforbidden,punishedby imprisonment for a definiteterm; is sound in principle, and generally, if notuniversally, affords a testby which to determine the


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character of the punishment.Dougherty, supra at 94,quotingGompers,supraat443.

In applying the Gompers test, the majority in Dougherty firstemphasized the importance of distinguishing between civil andcriminal contempt. Although difficult to make, the distinction

between

civil

and

criminal

contempt

is

often

critical

since

acriminalcontemptproceedingrequiressome,butnotall,ofthedueprocesssafeguardsofanordinarycriminaltrial[1]andbecausethepurpose sought tobe achievedby imprisoning a civil contemnor(coercion) varies significantly from the purpose of imprisoning acriminalcontemnor(punishment).Id.at91.

TheDoughertymajoritythennotedthatthedistinctionbetweenciviland criminal contempt has in essence been codified at MCL600.1715(2) (indefinite coercive sanction is permitted only wherecontemnorstillhaspowertoperformactrequiredbycourtorder),

andadded

that

MCL

600.1721

provides

for

compensatory

sanctions

where thecontumaciousconducthascausedactual lossor injurytoanyperson....2

B. ContemnorMustBeinPresentViolationoftheCourtsOrderforCoerciveRemedytoBeImposed

TheDoughertymajorityreasoned thatcoercivecontemptsanctionswere inappropriate in the casebefore itbecause the contemnorswere not in present violation of the courts order. The Court

admitted

that,

in

certain

cases,

a

coercive

civil

sanction

may

beappropriatewhere thecontemnorhascommittedapastforbiddenact.Dougherty,supraat99.However,foracivilcontemptsanctionto

be imposed in such a case, there mustbe some act that canbecoercedby thesanction . . . . Id.[A]coercivesanction isproperwherethecontemnor,atthetimeofthecontempthearing,isunderapresentdutytocomplywiththeorderandisinpresentviolationoftheorder.Id.(Emphasisinoriginal.)TheCourtusedthefollowingexampletoillustrate:

A court enjoins a defendant from striking. The

defendant

strikes

and

a

contempt

hearing

is

held.

At

thehearingdefendantisunderdutytoobeytheorderand,if he is still on strike, is presently violating the order.Therefore, a coercive sanction, such as a $100 fine foreachdayheremainsonstrike,isentirelyproper.Id.at99100.

1SeeSection3.2foradetaileddiscussionoftheseproceduralsafeguards.

2SeeSection4.2(C)and4.3fordiscussionofthesestatutoryprovisions.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715


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C. AnticipatoryContempt

The concept of anticipatory contempt, or holding a person incontemptofcourtforrefusingtopromisetoobeyacourtsorderinthefuture,hasbeenrepudiatedbybothstateandfederalcourts.SeeInreContemptofDougherty,429Mich81,104107(1987),andcasescited

therein.

In

United

States

vJohnson,

736

F2d

358,

360

(CA

6,

1984),oneofthecasescitedbyDougherty,theCourtheldthatitwasan improper use of the contempt power to impose coercivesanctions against a witness who stated his intention to refuse totestifyatthecriminaltrialofallegedaccomplices.

Note:TheMichiganSupremeCourtinDougherty,supraat 111112, criticized the trial court for requiring thecontemnors to promise to obey the injunction in thefuture in order to purge themselves of the contempt.3

However,onecommentatorbelievesthattheDoughertycase

can

be

read

to

allow

acourt

to

require

promised

future compliance in order to purge the contempt,whereacoercivesanctionwasproperlyimposedinthefirst instance (i.e., where the contemnor was under apresentdutytocomplyandinviolationoftheorderatthetimeofthehearing).SeeTahvonen,Contempt:recentdevelopments,1Colleague1,7(1988).

2.2 ComparingCivilandCriminalContemptProceedings

A. PurposeforImposingSanctions

In general, the sanctions for civil contempt are coercive andremedialinnature.4Theyareintendedtocompelcompliancewithacourts directives by imposing a conditional sanction until thecontemnorcompliesornolongerhasadutyortheabilitytocomply.Dougherty, supra at 98100. Therefore, civil contemnors carry thekeysoftheirprisonintheirownpockets.InreNevitt,117F448,461(CA8,1902),quotedinHarveyvLewis(AppealofList),10MichApp709, 715 (1968). See also MCL 600.1715(2) (coercive commitment

must

end

when

contemnor

performs

the

required

act

or

no

longerhastheabilitytodoso).

Thesanctionsforcriminalcontemptarepunitiveinnature.Theyareintended to preserve the courts authority by punishing pastmisconductthroughimpositionofafixedsanctionwherethereisno

3SeeSection2.2(G)fordiscussionofacontemnorsabilitytopurgecontempt.

4Foradetaileddiscussionofsanctions,seeChapter4.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715


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opportunity or need for the court to compel the contemnorscompliancewithitsorder.InreContemptofRochlin(KanevRochlin),186MichApp639,647648(1990).InInreContemptofRapanos,143MichApp483,496497(1985),theCourtofAppealsconcludedthatthedefendantwasproperlypunishedforcriminalcontemptwhere,

for

eight

months,

the

defendant

ignored

the

trial

courts

order

toimmediately returnbusiness records to the defendantsbusinesspartner and committed new violations by taking more recordsduring that period. While taking the additional records, thedefendant affronted the dignity of the courtby stating that hecoulddoanythinghewantedto.Id.at497.Thedefendantsactionsimpaired the ongoing operation of thebusiness and delayed theunderlyinglitigation.Id.at497498.

B. TypesofSanctionsThatMayBeImposed

Two

types

of

sanctions

may

be

imposed

in

civil

contemptproceedings: coercive sanctions, to force compliance with a courtorder,andcompensatorysanctions,tocompensatepersonsinjured

bythecontumaciousconduct.InreContemptofDougherty,429Mich81,97(1987),InreContemptofRochlin(KanevRochlin),186MichApp639, 646647 (1990), and MCL 600.1721. Where compensation isintended,afineisimposed,payable to thecomplainant.Suchfinemustofcoursebebaseduponevidenceofcomplainantsactualloss,and his right, as a civil litigant, to the compensatory fine isdependent upon the outcome of the basic controversy.5 UnitedStatesvUnitedMineWorkers,330US258,304(1947).Thecourtmay

also

require

a

contemnor

to

pay

civil

fines

and

the

costs

andexpensesoftheproceedings.MCL600.1715(2).

In a criminal contempt proceeding, the court may impose anunconditionalandfixedjailsentence,apenalfine,orboth.CrossCovUAWLocalNo155(AFLCIO),377Mich202,223224(1966).UnderthegeneralcontemptstatutesintheRevisedJudicatureAct,thejailsentence maybeup to 93 days and the finemaybeup to $7,500.MCL 600.1715(1). The court may also place an individual onprobation in the manner provided for persons guilty of amisdemeanor. MCL 600.1715(1). The contemnor may also be

orderedto

pay

damages

to

any

person

who

has

suffered

an

actual

loss or injury as a result of the contumacious conduct. MCL600.1721.6

5TheCourtusesthetermfineheretodescribewhatMCL600.1721referstoasdamages.

6 See Section 4.3 for a discussion of the availability of compensatory damages in criminal contempt

proceedings.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1715http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1721


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Thenatureofthefineimposedmayitselfdeterminewhethercivilorcriminalproceedingsarerequired.InUnitedMineWorkersvBagwell,512US821 (1994), the trialcourt found theunion incontempt forunlawfulstrikerelatedactivities.The trialcourtannounced that itwould impose acivil fine of$100,000 foreach violation involving

violence

and

$20,000

for

each

non

violent

violation.

When

the

unionviolated the injunction, it was found in contempt of court andorderedtopay$52millioninfinestothestateandtwocounties.TheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtheldthatthefineswerecriminal,notcivil,andreversedthetrialcourtsdecisionbecausetheunionwasnotaffordedtherighttojurytrial.Thefineswerenotcompensatory,and announcing them in advance did not render them coercive

because the union had no opportunity to purge itself of thecontemptby complying with the trial courts order after the fineswereimposed.Theunionsabilitytoavoidthecontemptfineswasindistinguishablefromtheabilityofanyordinarycitizentoavoida

criminal

sanction

by

conforming

his

behavior

to

the

law.

Id.

at

837.7

C. IntentoftheContemnor

Willfulness is not a necessary element of civil contempt. In reContempt ofUnited Stationers Supply Co (Walker vHenderson), 239MichApp496,499501(2000).WritingforthemajorityinMcCombvJacksonville Paper Co, 336 US 187, 191 (1949), Justice Douglasexplainedwhywillfulintentisnotrequiredforcivilcontempt:

The absence of wilfulness does not relieve from civil

contempt.

Civil

as

distinguished

from

criminalcontempt is a sanction to enforce compliance with anorder of the court or to compensate for losses ordamages sustainedby reason of noncompliance. Sincethepurposeisremedial,itmattersnotwithwhatintentthedefendantdidtheprohibitedact.Thedecreewasnotfashioned so as to grant or withhold its benefitsdependenton thestateofmindofrespondents. It laidon them a duty to obey specified provisions of thestatute.Anactdoesnotceasetobeaviolationofalawandofadecreemerelybecauseitmayhavebeendone

innocently.(Internal

citations

omitted.)

An essential element of criminal contempt is that the defendantacted willfully.DeGeorgevWarheit, 276 Mich App 587, 592 (2007),citingPeople vMatish, 384 Mich 568, 572 (1971). Willfulness . . .impliesadeliberateorintendedviolation,asdistinguishedfromanaccidental, inadvertent or negligent violation. Vaughn v City of

7SeeSection2.2(G)(contemnors abilitytopurgecontempt).


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Flint,752F2d1160,1168(CA6,1985),quotingTWMMfgCoIncvDuraCorp,722F2d1261,1272(CA6,1983).

InPeople v Little, 115 Mich App 662 (1982), a criminal defendantmovedtowithdrawhisguiltyplea,claimingthatheliedduringthepleaproceeding.Thejudgeissuedanordertoshowcausewhythedefendant

should

not

be

held

in

contempt.

The

defendants

attorney

testifiedattheshowcausehearingthatheadvisedthedefendanttoplead guilty because the case was unwinnable. The Court ofAppealsreversedthecriminalcontemptcitation,findingthatitwasnot provedbeyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants falsestatementsatthepleaproceedingwereculpable.Id.at665.

D. StandardofProof

The standard of proof for civil contempt is unsettled. Some cases

hold

that

proof

of

the

contumacious

conduct

must

be

clear

andunequivocal. See, e.g., In reContempt ofCalcutt (Calcutt vHarperGraceHospitals),184MichApp749,757(1990).Foradifferentview,see Jaikins v Jaikins, 12 Mich App 115, 121 (1968) (applying apreponderanceofevidence standard),andMCR3.708(H)(3) (clearand convincing evidence standard applied in civil contemptproceedingafteranallegedviolationofapersonalprotectionorder).

In cases of criminal contempt, it must be proved beyond areasonabledoubtthattheindividualengagedinawillfuldisregardordisobedienceoftheauthorityorordersofthecourt.DeGeorgev

Warheit,

276

Mich

App

587,

592

(2007).

E. PrimaryInterestedParty

Theprimaryinterestedparty8inacivilcontemptproceedingisthepersonorpersonswhoarebeingharmedbythecontemnorsrefusaltoobeyacourtorder.Thesepersonsareusuallythepartiesinacase.PeopleexrelAttorneyGenvYarowsky(InreSmith),236Mich169,171172(1926),citingStatevKnight,3SD509(1893).SeealsoInrePecora(UnitedStatesvRussotti),746F2d945,949(CA2,1984),where theCourt stated that, in the context of civil litigation, . . . a civil

contemptfor

failure

to

obey

acourt

order

may

not

be

initiated

by

thetrialjudge,butisaremedyavailableonlyforthebenefitofthepartieswhoobtainedtheorderinissue.

The primary interested parties in a criminal contempt proceedingarefirst,thecourtwhoseauthorityisbeingpreserved,andsecond,

8SeeSection3.6foradiscussionofwhomayinitiatecontemptproceedings.
http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdf


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thepublic.TheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtinBloomvIllinois,391US194,201(1968),characterizedcriminalcontemptasfollows:

Criminalcontemptisacrimeintheordinarysense;itisaviolationof the law, a public wrong which is punishable by fine orimprisonmentorboth....

Criminally contemptuous conduct may violate otherprovisionsofthecriminallaw;butevenwhenthisisnotthe case convictions for criminal contempt areindistinguishable from ordinary criminal convictions,fortheirimpactontheindividualdefendantisthesame.Indeed,theroleofcriminalcontemptandthatofmanyordinary criminal laws seem identicalprotection ofthe institutionsofourgovernmentandenforcementoftheirmandates.

F. CourtsAbilitytoRestoretheStatusQuoAnte

ManycasesdecidedpriortoInreContemptofDougherty,429Mich81(1987),9 distinguish civil and criminal contempt of court using anafter the factdeterminationas towhether thestatusquoantecanberestored.See,e.g.,JaikinsvJaikins,12MichApp115,120121(1968).

Civilcontemptproceedingsareappropriatewherethecourtisableto restore the status quo ante. If the court is unable to do so,criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate. In reContempt ofRapanos,143MichApp483,496498(1985).InRapanos,theCourtofAppeals concluded that the defendant was properly punished forcriminalcontemptwhere,foreightmonths,thedefendantignoredthetrialcourtsorder toreturnbusinessrecordsto thedefendants

business partner. The Courtheld that thedefendants retention ofthebusinessrecordssodisrupted the injuredpartysbusiness thatthestatusquocouldnotberestored.

Theabilitytorestorethestatusquoantemeansthatthecourtisabletodooneoftwothings.First,thecourtmaybeabletocompelthe contemnor to act in accordance with the original court order.The

type

of

sanction

often

used

to

accomplish

this

is

aconditional

jailsentence.SeeWattersvWatters,112MichApp1,10(1981),andHarveyvLewis(AppealofList),10MichApp709,716(1968).

Alternatively,thecourtmaybeabletoputtheinjuredpartiesinthesamepositiontheywereinpriortothecontumaciousconduct.Thetypeofsanctionoftenusedtoaccomplishthisisafinancialpenalty

9SeeSection2.1foradiscussionofDougherty.


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payable to thecourtor to the injuredparty.A financialpenalty issometimes coupled with a conditionaljail sentence that mustbeserveduntil thecontemnorcomplieswith thecourtsorder topaythefinancialpenalty.SeeUnitedStatesvUnitedMineWorkers,330US258,302(1947),andInreJacques,761F2d302,305306(CA6,1985).

G. ContemnorsAbilitytoPurgetheContempt

In civil contempt proceedings, the contemnor mustbe given anopportunity to purge himself or herself of the contempt bycomplying with the conditions set by the court to remedy thesituation.CasberguevCasbergue,124MichApp491,495(1983).

In a criminal contempt proceeding, because the penalty isunconditional, fixed, and imposed as punishment for pastmisconduct, the contemnor does not have the ability to purge

himself

or

herself

of

the

contempt.

State

Bar

v

Cramer,

399

Mich

116,128(1976).


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2.3 Table:ComparisonofCivilandCriminalContempt

Table 1:

CivilContempt CriminalContempt

Purposefor

imposing

sanction

Coercive:tocompelcompliancewithcourtsorderbyimposingpunishmentforindefinitetermuntilcontemnorcompliesornolongerhasabilitytocomply.Attimeofhearing,contemnormustbe(1)underadutytocomplywiththecourtsorder,and(2)inviolationofthecourtsorder.

Compensatory:toindemnifyforlosscausedbycontemnors

conduct.

Punitive:topreservethecourtsauthorityanddignitybypunishingpastdisobedienceofcourtsorder.

Compensatory:toindemnifyforlosscausedbycontemnorsconduct.

Sanctions

thatmaybe

imposed

Monetary:Fine(limitedto$7,500persinglecontumaciousact),costs,andexpensesofproceedings;damagesforinjuriesresultingfromcontumaciousconduct,includingattorneyfees.

Jail:Contemnormaybeincarceratedindefinitelyuntil

complianceor

contemnor

unable

to

comply.Incarcerationisindeterminateandconditional.

Monetary:Finelimitedto$7,500finepersinglecontumaciousact(unlessotherwiseprovided);damagesforinjuriesresultingfromconduct,includingattorneyfees.

Jail:Limitedto93dayspersinglecontumaciousact,unlessotherwiseprovided.Incarceration

is

fixed

and

absolute.Probationmaybeimposed.

Intentof

contemnor Willfulnessisnotrequired. Willfulnessisrequired.

Primary

interested

party

Injuredperson(s).Maybethecourt,butisusuallyoneofthelitigantsintheunderlyingaction.

Usuallythecourtand/orthepublic.

Courts

ability

torestore

statusquo

ante

Statusquo

ante

can

be

restored

throughcoercedcompliance,oritisstillpossibletogranttherelieforderedintheoriginalcourtorder.

Statusquo

ante

altered

so

that

it

cannotberestored,orrelieforderedinoriginalcourtordercannolongerbeobtained.

Contemnors

abilityto

purge

contempt

Contemnormustbegivenopportunitytopurgebycomplyingwithconditionssetbythecourt.

Contemnorhasnoopportunitytopurge.


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See also In re Collins, 329 Mich 192, 196 (1950) (filing of falsepleadings may not be summarily punished); In re Contempt ofBarnett, 233 Mich App 188, 190191 (1998) (where informationconcerning the alleged contemnors statements injurors presencewas relayed to thejudgeby abailiff, summary proceedings were

improper);

Schoensee

v

Bennett,

228

Mich

App

305,

318

(1998)(summary punishment of attorney was proper where attorneyadmitted during a hearing that merely seeking a stay from theCourtofAppealsdidnotstaythetrialcourtsorder,buttheattorneyindicatedanintenttodisobeythetrialcourtsorderanyway); InreContemptofRobertson(DavillavFischerCorp),209MichApp433,439441 (1995) (witnesss failure to obey a subpoena may not besummarilypunishedbecausethereasonforthewitnesssabsenceisnotwithinthepersonalknowledgeofthejudge).

B. DuringItsSitting

InMCL600.1701(a),thephraseduringitssittingisnotasstrictlylimitedasisthephraseimmediateviewandpresence.Duringitssittingincludestheperiodoftimewhenthejudgeisactuallyinthecourtroomconductingjudicialbusiness.Therefore,ifthecontemptoccurs in the courtroom during a period when the court hasconcludedonecaseandisabouttoproceedwithanother,itqualifiesashavingoccurredduringthesittingofthecourt.InreContemptofWarriner (CityofDetroitvWarriner),113MichApp549,552554(1982).

2.5 IndirectContempt

Indirectcontemptoccursoutsidetheimmediateviewandpresenceofthecourt. Such contempt may notbe punished summarilybut only afterproofof the factschargedhasbeenmadebyaffidavitorothermethodandopportunityhasbeengiventodefend.MCL600.1711(2).MCR3.606containstheproceduralrequirementsforindirectcontemptcases.11

2.6 Summary:ElementsofContemptofCourt

A. DirectCriminalContempt

Theelementsofdirectcriminalcontemptare:

thewillfuldoingofaforbiddenact,orthewillfulrefusaltocomplywithanorderofthecourt,

11SeeChapter3fordiscussionofproceduralrequirements.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1711http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1711http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1711http://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://coa.courts.mi.gov/rules/documents/1Chapter3SpecialProceedingsandActions.pdfhttp://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1701http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-1711


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that impairs the authority or impedes the functioning ofthecourt,

committed in the immediate view and presence of thecourt,

where

the

court

seeks

to

punish

misconduct

that

hasalteredthestatusquoantesothatitcannotberestored,orthereliefsoughtbytheoriginalcourtordercannolonger

beobtained,or

orderinthecourtroomcannotberestoredunlesscriminalcontemptsanctionsareused.

B. DirectCivilContempt

Theelementsofdirectcivilcontemptare:

thedoingofaforbiddenact,orthefailuretocomplywithanorderofthecourt,


committed in the immediate view and presence of thecourt,

where the court seeks to coerce compliance and thecontemnor is under a present duty to comply with the

courts

order,

is

in

present

violation

of

the

courts

order,

andstillhastheabilitytoperformtheactorderedbythecourt,or

itisstillpossibletogranttherelieforiginallysoughtbythecourtorder,or

itisstillpossibletorestoreorderinthecourtroom.

C. IndirectCriminalContempt

Theelementsofindirectcriminalcontemptare:

thewillfuldoingofaforbiddenact,orthewillfulrefusaltocomplywithanorderofthecourt,


committedoutsidetheimmediateviewandpresenceofthecourt,


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wherethecourtseekstopunishpastmisconductandcivilcontemptremediesareinappropriate.

D. IndirectCivilContempt

The

elements

of

indirect

civil

contempt

are:

thedoingofaforbiddenact,orthefailuretocomplywithanorderofthecourt,


committedoutsidetheimmediateviewandpresenceofthecourt,

where the court seeks to coerce compliance and the

contemnor

is

under

a

present

duty

to

comply

with

thecourtsorder,isinpresentviolationofthecourtsorder,andstillhastheabilitytoperformtheactorderedbythecourt,or

itisstillpossibletogranttherelieforiginallysoughtbythecourtorder.


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Chapter 3

ProceduralRequirements

3.1 ThresholdDeterminations ................................................................... 32

A. InformingAllegedContemnoroftheNatureoftheProceedings . 32

B. DeterminingWhether

aHearing

Is

Required

...............................

32

3.2 ProceduralDueProcessRequirements................................................ 33

A. GeneralRequirementsforAllCasesofIndirectContempt ........... 33

B. ProceduralRequirementsThatDifferDependingUponWhether

ProceedingIsCivilorCriminal ...................................................... 33

3.3 SummaryContemptProceedings......................................................... 34

3.4 DeferredProceedings .......................................................................... 35

3.5 IndirectContempt ................................................................................ 36

3.6 ProsecutionofIndirectContemptActions........................................... 36

A. SpecificIndirectContemptProceedings........................................ 36

B. Unspecified

Indirect

Contempt

Proceedings

................................

3

73.7 RighttoCounselforAllegedContemnor ............................................. 38

3.8 InitiationofProceedingsbyAffidavitorOtherMethod ...................... 38

A. InitiationbyAffidavit ..................................................................... 38

B. OtherMethodofInitiatingProceedings.................................... 39

C. WaiverofNotice ......................................................................... 310

3.9 RequirementsforAffidavits ............................................................... 310

A. AffidavitsMustBeBasedonPersonalKnowledge ...................... 310

B. NoticeRequirements .................................................................. 311

C. ProofofDamages ....................................................................... 311

D. ServiceofMotionandAffidavitonAllegedContemnor ............. 311

3.10 Requirementsfor

Orders

to

Show

Cause...........................................

311

3.11 RequirementsforBenchWarrants .................................................... 312

3.12 WritsofHabeasCorpusforPrisonersChargedWithContempt........ 313

3.13 BondinLieuofArrest......................................................................... 313

3.14 DisqualificationofJudge .................................................................... 314

A. DirectContemptProceedings...................................................... 314

B. IndirectContemptCases............................................................. 315

C. CasesInvolvingPublicationofCommentsConcerningCourtor

Judge ........................................................................................... 315


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3.15 RighttoJuryTrialRestrictedtoSeriousCriminalContempt .......... 315

3.16 ApplicabilityofRulesofEvidence ...................................................... 316

3.1 ThresholdDeterminations

A. InformingAllegedContemnoroftheNatureoftheProceedings

Prior to initiation of the proceedings, the court must determinewhether civil or criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate

becauseadefendantchargedwithcriminalcontempt isentitled tobenotifiedofthatfactwhenheorsheisnotifiedofthecharges.InreContemptofRochlin(KanevRochlin),186MichApp639,649(1990).InJaikinsvJaikins,12MichApp115,120(1968),theCourtofAppeals,quotingGompersvBucksStove&RangeCo,221US418,446(1911),

emphasizedthat

the

nature

of

the

proceedings

must

be

made

clear

bythepleadings:

Everycitizen,howeverunlearnedinthelaw,bymereinspectionofthepapersincontemptproceedingsoughttobe able to see whether it was instituted for privatelitigationorforpublicprosecution,whetheritsoughtto

benefit the complainant or vindicate the courtsauthority.Heshouldnotbeleftindoubtastowhetherrelieforpunishmentwastheobjectinview.1

Seealso

Sands

vSands,

192

Mich

App

698,

702

703

(1992)

(where

adefendant was not informed that criminal contempt was alleged,

andwheredefendantwascalledtotestifyundertheadversepartyrule,defendantscontemptconvictionmustbereversed).

B. DeterminingWhetheraHearingIsRequired

After the court determines whether criminal or civil contemptproceedingsareappropriate,thecourtmustdeterminewhetherthecontempt was direct or indirect. If the contempt was committedduringitssittingandintheimmediateviewandpresenceofthe

court,the

contempt

is

direct

and

the

court

may

summarily

make

a

finding of contempt and punish the contemnor. If, on the otherhand,thecourtmustrelyonthetestimonyofotherstoestablishthatcontumaciousconducthasoccurred,thecontemptisindirectandaseparatehearingmustbeheldontheissue.Bothcivilandcriminalcontemptmaybedirectorindirect.2

1 SCAO Form MC 230, the motion and order to show cause, contains a check box to indicate civil or

criminalcontempt.Itcanbeaccessedathttp://courts.michigan.gov/scao/courtforms/general/mc230.pdf.
http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/courtforms/general/mc230.pdfhttp://courts.michigan.gov/scao/courtforms/general/mc230.pdf


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3.2 ProceduralDueProcessRequirements

A. GeneralRequirementsforAllCasesofIndirectContempt

In all cases of indirect contempt, proper notice of the charges, a

reasonableopportunity

to

prepare

adefense

or

explanation,

and

the

opportunity to testify andcall witnesses arebasic proceduraldueprocess requirements. In reContemptofRobertson (DavillavFischerCorp),209MichApp433,438(1995).Whatconstitutesareasonableopportunitytoprepareadefensemustbeviewedinthecontextoftheentiresituation.CrossCovUAWLocalNo155 (AFLCIO),377Mich 202, 212213 (1966). In Cross, the Court considered theseriousnessofthechargesandtheamountoftimeallowedfortrialpreparation,includingadjournments.

Whenacontempthearingisheldeventhoughthecontemnorisnot

prepared

to

present

his

or

her

defense,

there

is

no

due

processviolation when the contemnor had sufficient time in which toprepare a defense and to secure witnesses in his or herbehalf.DeGeorgevWarheit,276MichApp587,593594(2007).InDeGeorge,the contempt hearing was held more than two months after thecontemnorreceivednoticeofthecontemptmotion,andmorethanone month after the contemnor filed his memorandum inoppositiontothemotion.TheCourtconcludedthatthecontemnorsfailuretoreadyhimselfforthehearing,despitehavinganadequateamountoftimetodoso,didnotoffendthecontemnorsdueprocessrights.

Apublictrialisrequired.InreOliver,333US257,273(1948).

Anindigentdefendantmaynotbeincarcera

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