Opinion ID: 456694
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Is the contempt order enforceable?

Text: 21 We now turn our attention to the question of whether the district court correctly held Coomes in contempt for his failure to comply with its enforcement order, notwithstanding Coomes' psychological problems. The district court, after a hearing, found that Coomes understands the consequences of his act. Since Coomes is not subject to criminal contempt 2 there is no intent element required, and in fact, civil contempt may be imposed even though the party held in contempt did not act willfully. McComb v. Jacksonville Paper Co., 336 U.S. 187 (1949); Aero Corp. v. Department of the Navy, 558 F. Supp. 404, 428 (1983). Whether Coomes's belief that he should resist turning over Church records is sincere or not, the finding of sufficient mental comprehension is not clearly erroneous. The finding that Coomes is capable of complying with the court's order and of understanding the consequences if he does not, is also not clearly erroneous. 22 The inability of a contemnor to comply with a court's order is a defense to coercive imprisonment for contempt. See Shillitani v. United States, 384 U.S. 364, 371 (1966); Maggio v. Zeitz, 333 U.S. 56, 76 (1948). These cases, however, suggest only that physical inability is a defense, not an inaility due to fear of a greater punishment from an Authority above and beyond the courts. For example, a witness who refuses to testify in a RICO case for fear of reprisal by the Mafia still may be held in civil contempt. United States v. Romano, 684 F.2d 1057, 1065 n.7 (2d Cir. 1982), Cert. denied, 103 S. Ct. 375 (1982). We recognize the complicating factor in this controversy due to Coomes' diagnosed mental disorder, but the fact remains that the district court's ample opportunity to observe plaintiff together with the psychiatrist's opinion of his understanding about consequences of refusal to obey the court's order is an adequate basis to uphold the contempt order. Regardless then of Coomes' assertion of religious 'persecution', particularly in light of the paranoid mental state overtones, the enforcement of the summons is not a constitutional infringement. The court below did not abuse its discretion in holding Coomes in civil contempt for his persistent refusal to deliver records pursuant to a valid summons, or to file an appropriate response if he claims there are no such records in existence. 23