Opinion ID: 1844465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence to Establish Contempt.

Text: An action for contempt of court is treated in the nature of a criminal proceeding. See Phillips v. Iowa Dist. Court, 380 N.W.2d 706, 708-09 (Iowa 1986). No person may be punished for contempt unless the allegedly contumacious actions have been established by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. See id. Contempt is sufficiently shown if some of the default was willful. See Skinner v. Ruigh, 351 N.W.2d 182, 186 (Iowa 1984). In this context, a finding of willful disobedience requires evidence of conduct that is intentional and deliberate with a bad or evil purpose, or wanton and in disregard of the rights of others, or contrary to a known duty, or unauthorized, coupled with an unconcern whether the contemner had the right or not. Lutz v. Darbyshire, 297 N.W.2d 349, 353 (Iowa 1980). Furthermore, because certiorari is an action at law, our review is at law and not de novo. See Johnson v. Iowa Dist. Court, 385 N.W.2d 562, 564 (Iowa 1986). A review of the record demonstrates that the trial court's finding of willful contempt is supported by substantial evidence. Since Ahmed's assault on Souad and his initial manipulation of the courts in order to remove Mujahid to Jordan, Ahmed's attempts to return Mujahid have been half-hearted. This attitude is demonstrated by his failure to contact the Jordanian government or attempt to obtain a duplicate passport. The credibility of Ahmed's testimony is further weakened by a consistent failure to be forthright. For example, Ahmed denied assaulting Souad, even though he had been convicted of the assault. Ahmed has also offered several conflicting versions of his reasons for sending Mujahid to Jordan. He was also less than truthful when he explained the proposed letter of Mr. Jamal Said. Ahmed did not mention that a condition of Mujahid's return would be the withdrawal of this case from the American judicial system or Souad's acceptance of Islamic law in settling this matter. On several occasions the district court made very clear reference to its belief that Ahmed was lying. In the order dated February 4, 1987, the district court stated: Mr. Amro was able to take Mujahid to Jordan because he lied to the Court as to what his true intentions were when he falsely promised that he would take no action which was prejudicial to the rights [of] Souad. Subsequently he has given three differing versions of his intent, none of which included an admission that he lied. He has an arrangement in Jordan where he can be with his son any time he chooses to be. His son is in the care of his sister and his wife to be. He would suggest that his 89-year old father is so powerful and sophisticated that he requires opinions from committees of religious scholars before he takes action. The court does not believe that aspect of his testimony. This is a situation that Mr. Amro has engineered to try to justify the situation that he intentionally created and which has continued up to this date. He fails to even make an effort to enlist the aid of the Jordanian authorities who could effect a change if his version of the facts were correct. Instead Mr. Amro attempts to get the Court and the petitioner to agree that the custody issue should be redetermined by Islamic scholars and then be enforced if his aged father agrees to comply. This is a sham and subterfuge which Mr. Amro engages in for the purpose of trying to get the Court to overlook his contemptuous, willful non-compliance with its order. We agree with the district court. The contumacious action by Ahmed has been established beyond a reasonable doubt.