Opinion ID: 1339746
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Stephen's Intent.

Text: At the hearing in December, 1981, Stephen emphasized that his concern for Kimberly overrode all other considerations. He stated that he had followed the advice of the psychologist, his New Mexico counsel, and the New Mexico judge in instituting and continuing his legal actions. He also replied that he had understood the Virginia custody order was subject to modification based on change of circumstances and that he had thought he could properly change it in the New Mexico court. Finally, he alleged he had intended to comply with the Virginia order until he realized the severity of Kimberly's condition. Initially, we must decide whether Stephen's contempt is civil or criminal. In Steelworkers v. Newport News Shipbldg., 220 Va. 547, 260 S.E.2d 222 (1979), we reversed and dismissed a civil contempt proceeding because the trial court, in a civil setting, had imposed a criminal sanction. There, we said: Contempt proceedings prosecuted to preserve the power and vindicate the dignity of the court are criminal and punitive; those prosecuted to preserve and enforce the rights of private parties are civil, remedial, and coercive .... The character and purpose of the punishment may determine the class of contempt, as stated in the landmark case of Gompers v. Bucks Stove & Range Co., 221 U.S. 418 [31 S.Ct. 492, 55 L.Ed. 797] (1911) .... [Citations omitted.] 220 Va. at 549-50, 260 S.E.2d at 224. In Steelworkers, we quoted from Gompers, 221 U.S. at 441-442, 31 S.Ct. at 498: It is not the fact of punishment but rather its character and purpose that often serve to distinguish between the two classes of cases. If it is for civil contempt the punishment is remedial, and for the benefit of the complainant. But if it is for criminal contempt the sentence is punitive, to vindicate the authority of the court. It is true that punishment by imprisonment may be remedial, as well as punitive, and many civil contempt proceedings have resulted not only in the imposition of a fine, payable to the complainant, but also in committing the defendant to prison. [Emphasis added.] Stephen argues that he cannot be guilty of criminal contempt since the trial court did not find that he intended to affront the dignity of the court, and since his only motivation had been a desire to best serve the physical and mental needs of his young daughter. It is also his contention that since the requisite mens rea had not been established by proof, his disclaimer should release him from a contempt conviction. We disagree. In Deeds v. Gilmer, 162 Va. 157, 262, 174 S.E. 37, 78-79 (1934), we said: A proceeding for civil contempt partakes more of the nature of a remedial civil proceeding than ... a criminal proceeding. Its main purpose is to procure the imposition of a punishment which will afford remedial relief to the parties injured by the violation of the injunction. Not only is the proceeding instituted at the instance of the injured parties, but they are parties to it; and it is properly instituted and tried as a part of the injunction suit. In contempt proceedings of this nature the punishment ... imposed is not limited to a fine and/or imprisonment .... In appropriate cases the violator may be punished by ... an award of damages against him in favor of the injured party sufficient to indemnify him for the pecuniary loss occasioned to him as a result of the act or omission which violated the injunction having injured or damaged property or rights which he was entitled to have protected or preserved by the injunction. [Emphasis supplied.] The order of February 20, 1981, shows that Stephen was being fined civilly until Kimberly was returned to her mother. Thus, he had the option at any time to abate his contemptuous acts by complying with the decree and returning Kimberly. The sanctity and enforceability of a civil judgment should not hinge upon the mental state of an unsuccessful litigant. In McComb v. Jacksonville Paper Co., 336 U.S. 187, 191, 69 S.Ct. 497, 499, 93 L.Ed. 599 (1949), the Supreme Court said: The absence of wilfulness does not relieve from civil contempt. Civil as distinguished from criminal contempt is a sanction to enforce compliance with an order of the court or to compensate for losses or damages sustained by reason of noncompliance.... Since the purpose is remedial, it matters not with what intent the defendant did the prohibited act. The decree was not fashioned so as to grant or withhold its benefits dependent on the state of mind of respondents .... An act does not cease to be a violation of a law and of a decree merely because it may have been done innocently. The force and vitality of judicial decrees derive from more robust sanctions. [Citations omitted.] We hold that the contempt conviction of December 30, 1981, was for civil contempt and that the absence of a specific intent to violate the court order does not relieve Stephen of the consequences.