Opinion ID: 2656738
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion For Relief

Text: In early 2011 the Szabos hired an attorney to represent them, and on February 23, 2011, they filed a motion for relief from judgment under Civil Rule 60(b)(1), (4), (5), and (6). The Szabos argued that the superior court should grant relief: (1) under Rule 60(b)(1) because the January 2010 hearing was an unfair surprise; (2) under Rule 60(b)(4) because the January 2010 hearing and the daily $250 fine violated procedural due process, and thus the judgment was void; (3) under Rule 60(b)(5) because the judgment was inequitable; and (4) under Rule 60(b)(6) because the judgment was tainted by “massive” substantive due process violations. The superior court ordered another evidentiary hearing in May 2011 in light of the Szabos’ apparent mistaken belief that the January 2010 hearing would not be an evidentiary hearing. In April 2012 the superior court issued an order denying the Szabos’ Rule 60(b) motion for relief. The superior court rejected the Szabos’ constitutional challenge to AMC 21.25.050(E),4 concluding that their case did not involve that regulation, which only governs an action by a private citizen to judicially enforce a zoning ordinance. The court also rejected the Szabos’ argument that the fines imposed were unconstitutionally excessive, finding that “failure to pursue this issue on direct appeal is fatal.” The Szabos filed a motion for reconsideration, which the superior court also denied. 4 AMC 21.25.050(E) provides that “any person may commence an action in superior court to enforce a compliance order” and sets out the judicial process for such actions. -5- 6873 The Szabos appeal both the denial of their Rule 60(b) motion and the denial of their motion for reconsideration.