Opinion ID: 1424073
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: For their second point of appeal, Appellants claim that the trial court erred when it held that it had jurisdiction to issue an injunction for the abatement of nuisance activities that also constitute a crime. This court has repeatedly held that equity has always had the authority to abate a public nuisance. Masterson, 329 Ark. 443, 949 S.W.2d 63; State v. Karston, 208 Ark. 703, 187 S.W.2d 327 (1945). When dealing with an activity that is criminal, as well as a nuisance, this court has found that there are narrow circumstances in which equity will enjoin the activity. Masterson, 329 Ark. 443, 949 S.W.2d 63; Bates v. Bates, 303 Ark. 89, 793 S.W.2d 788 (1990). Specifically, equity may act to suppress a public nuisance, even though the maintenance of the nuisance is a crime, where there is alleged in addition to the public nuisance, some facts which show the remedy at law, by prosecution of the criminal, is inadequate and incomplete to effect relief. Karston, 208 Ark. at 712, 187 S.W.2d at 331. See also Masterson, 329 Ark. 443, 949 S.W.2d 63. In this case, the trial court correctly found that the Club was a public nuisance. As such, it had jurisdiction to issue an injunction in order to abate the nuisance. While it is true that the illegal activities, i.e., gambling and liquor law violations, could be remedied through the criminal courts, it is clear from the evidence that this would be an inadequate and incomplete remedy. Specifically, Goffin, as operator of the Club, does not appear to be deterred from continuing to engage in the illegal activities. As demonstrated by Agent Archie's testimony, Goffin continued to violate the Alcohol Control Act during the Club's suspension by dispensing alcohol. Additionally, shortly before trial, Archie wrote up Goffin and the Club for failure to cooperate with law enforcement and failure to be a good neighbor by allowing altercations on the premises. This failure to comply with the conditions of the administrative sanctions against it demonstrates that the remedies in place do not deter Goffin and the Club from continuing to engage in these criminal activities. The trial court said it best: Goffin is contemptuous of criminal laws and therefore the remedy at law is ineffectual. Finally, the State claims that the problems with the Club were broader in scope than the criminal prosecution for gambling activity, thus warranting the civil-nuisance-abatement action. The trial court clearly agreed with the State and found that the Club was a public nuisance on many levels, both criminal and as a threat to public health and safety. Consequently, the trial court properly found that it had jurisdiction to abate the nuisance, and the Club's argument is without merit. Affirmed.