Opinion ID: 901463
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether there was a final judgment on the merits.

Text: [¶ 60.] The State argues that there was no final judgment on the merits in the Lincoln County proceeding because Judge Caldwell did not hold a hearing on the motion, or issue an order denying the motion. Instead, Judge Caldwell simply issued her order dismissing the entire proceeding. The State's argument is unpersuasive for two reasons. First, the state's attorney admitted that he could have scheduled a hearing in front of Judge Caldwell, but did not do so because he thought it would be fruitless. In other words, he did not bring the matter to a hearing because he thought the State was going to lose. Fear that a party will not prevail on an issue has never excused them from raising it. [¶ 61.] Second, we have held that a decree from a dispositional hearing is a final judgment. In the Matter of S.H., 337 N.W.2d 179, 180 (S.D.1983) (holding that it is the decree from the dispositional hearing that is a final judgment for purposes of appeal). If the State believed that Judge Caldwell erred in not reconsidering her oral ruling, it should have appealed the order of dismissal to this Court. Because the Morrell incident was presented to Judge Caldwell before she signed an order dismissing the proceeding, her order of dismissal constitutes a final judgment on the merits. [¶ 62.] In Moore v. Michelin Tire Co., Inc., we noted that pursuant to SDCL 15-6-58, an order becomes effective when reduced to writing, signed by the court or judge, attested by the clerk and filed in his office. 1999 SD 152, ¶ 46, 603 N.W.2d 513, 525 (quoting Mushitz v. First Bank of South Dakota, 457 N.W.2d 849, 857 (S.D. 1990)). Orders are required to be in writing because the trial court may change its ruling before the order is signed and entered. Id. at ¶ 46 (quoting State v. Lowther, 434 N.W.2d 747, 752 (S.D.1989)). When a trial court issues an oral ruling, it retains discretion to hear additional evidence prior to making its final order and reducing it to writing. Id. at ¶ 47. Judge Caldwell issued her written order of dismissal after the State made its motion to reconsider based on the Morrell incident. Consequently, Judge Lieberman erred when he denied Mother's motion to dismiss, claiming there was no final judgment on the merits in the Lincoln County proceeding.