Opinion ID: 2224660
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Imposition of sanctions under SDCL 15-6-11

Text: The trial court imposed sanctions upon Opdahl in the amount of $2,500, plus attorney's fees and expenses in the amount of $3,000, under SDCL 15-6-11(b). SDCL 15-6-11(b) provides: If a pleading, motion or other paper is signed in violation of this rule [SDCL 15-6-11(a)], the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which shall include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion or other paper, including a reasonable attorney's fee. SDCL 15-6-11(a) states in part: ... The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate by him that he has read the pleading, motion or other paper; that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law ... and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation .... (emphasis added). Opdahl and his associates filed numerous papers with the trial court which were clearly frivolous and intended to harass Tri-State. These papers included orders for summary judgment and dismissal of Tri-State's action, as well as orders purporting to void Judge Connelly's own orders. Notices were issued by Opdahl and his associates which attempted to cancel hearings and trial dates set by Judge Connelly. In addition, a notice of lis pendens was filed against the Hoffs, Tri-State, and one of Tri-State's attorneys in Minnehaha County, for which there was no legal basis. This action required Tri-State to commence an action to set aside the lis pendens in Minnehaha County. Opdahl also filed two lawsuits in federal court against Tri-State, Judge Connelly, and others, which were dismissed as meritless. These actions reflect an intent to harass and bad faith on the part of Opdahl and his associates. The orders and notices filed in Judge Connelly's court qualify as pleadings or other papers intended to harass under SDCL 15-6-11(a). The question remaining is whether the trial court erred in determining the amount of sanctions imposed under SDCL 15-6-11(b). Under 15-6-11(d) The Supreme Court shall consider all appeals pursuant to this section without any presumption of the correctness of the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law. Cheek v. Doe, 828 F.2d 395 (7th Cir.1987), involved Rule 11 sanctions against a pro se litigant for frivolous pleadings under the abuse of discretion standard. The court held that Federal Rule 11 permits the imposition of a pure penalty sanction where there is obvious bad faith and intent to harass. The Cheek court reduced an $11,500 penalty sanction to $5,000, stating: Nor do we intend to suggest in any way that $5,000 is to be routinely or regularly imposed in similar cases, whether pro se or not.... But we also hasten to add that we reserve the right in the future to approve the assessment of whatever damages may become necessary to protect the judicial system against serious abuse, should the public interest demand. Cheek, supra at 398. The trial court awarded a pure sanction of $2,500 against Opdahl. In view of Opdahl's serious abuse and mockery of the judicial system, we cannot say that the trial court erred in imposing a penalty sanction in that amount. The trial court also imposed $3,000 in sanctions for attorney fees and other expenses resulting from Opdahl's violation of SDCL 15-6-11(a). The court based this amount on the billings submitted by Tri-State's attorney. Included in these billings were fees and expenses which related to the Minnehaha County and federal court actions. A separate motion for sanctions is pending in the federal court action. In reviewing these billings, we are satisfied that Judge Connelly reduced the amount to $3,000 to reflect only those fees and expenses Tri-State incurred because of Opdahl's actions in Judge Connelly's court. Therefore, sanctions of $5,500 were proper.