Opinion ID: 1875795
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: this court has the power and duty to reduce excessive punitive damages.

Text: We are reminded through this contention the Court has the authority to review the amount of the punitive damage award and the duty to reduce the damages if convinced it is excessive. Consolidated American Life Ins. Co. v. Toche, 410 So.2d 1303 (Miss. 1982); First American National Bank of Iuka v. Mitchell, 359 So.2d 1376 (Miss. 1978); and Snowden v. Osborne, 269 So.2d 858 (Miss. 1972). The difficult question exists in the exercise of this authority. In Snowden v. Osborne, 269 So.2d 858 (Miss. 1972), we addressed the question as follows, The more difficult problem arises from the amount of the award for punitive damages. Though we have opined the instruction to be proper, we are nevertheless constrained to the opinion that there was insufficient evidence adduced to affirm a punitive award in the sum of $30,000... . 269 So.2d at 861. Reminded of our authority and responsibility we approach the next assignment.