Case Name: Luedeke et al. v. Coursen
Court: New York City Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1893-05
Citations: 3 Misc. 559
Docket Number: 
Parties: Luedeke et al. v. Coursen.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 559–560

Head Matter:
Luedeke et al. v. Coursen.
(City Court of New York
General Term,
May, 1893.)
The fine for disobedience of an order in supplementary proceedings cannot exceed $250 and costs, except the party injured thereby sustains actual loss, in which case there must be legal proof of actual damage.
Appeal from order made in supplementary proceedings adjudging the defendant in contempt, and fining him $326.58 and $30 costs.
Hayma/n <& Rosenthal, for defendant (appellant).
Robert Godson, for plaintiff (respondent).

Opinion:
Ehrlich, Ch. J.
Where no actual loss or injury is produced by the disobedience to an order in supplementary proceedings, the fine imposed cannot exceed $250 and costs. Code, § 2284. If actual loss or injury is produced, the amount thereof must be based upon legal proof of the damage actually sustained. Moffat v. Herman, 116 N. Y. 135 ; Sudlow v. Know, 7 Abb. (N. S.) 411; De Jonge v. Brenneman, 23 Hun, 332; Clark v. Bininger, 75 N. Y. 344; King v. Flynn, 37 Hun, 329; Gallagher v. O'Neil, 21 N. Y. St. Repr. 163. Ho such assessment of damages appears by the appeal book, and the order appealed from must, therefore, be modified by reducing the fine to the statutory limit, $250 and -$30 costs, and, as modified, the order appealed from will be affirmed, without costs. See De Jonge v. Brenneman, 23 Hun, 332 ; Erie R. R. Co. v. Ramsey, 45 N. Y. 637.
Mewburger, J., concurs.
Ordered accordingly.