Opinion ID: 1113384
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the chancellor exceeded her authority and/or her discretion in reversing the administrative decision of the commission.

Text: The chancellor's opinion makes it clear that her decision was based entirely on a review of the authority granted the Commission by Section 67-1-71(d). That section provides: The Commission may revoke or suspend any permit issued by it for a violation of by the permittee of any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under it by the commission. Permits must be revoked or suspended for the following causes: ... (d) Two (2) or more convictions or one or more of the clerks, agents or employees of the permittee, of any violation of this chapter upon the premises covered by such permit within a period of two (2) years... . The learned chancellor proceeded under the assumption, erroneously provided by counsel for the Commission during oral arguments, that Section 67-1-71(d) was the sole basis for the Commission's revocation of Jenkins' permit. Yet, the brief of the Commission to the chancellor clearly argued Section 67-1-37(b) was also applicable and appropriate to this case. Nonetheless, this latter argument was not considered and the chancellor determined only that the record failed to establish any convictions against Jenkins. She further rejected the argument that Jenkins' employee had been administratively convicted of two (2) violations through the Commission's revocation order. Finally, the chancellor determined that conviction as provided by Section 67-1-71(d) required the return of a jury verdict or a guilty plea. The Commission submits to this Court that Section 67-1-71(d) does not require a criminal conviction, and that two or more convictions against Jenkins' employee were proven, also authorizing the permit revocation under that section. Because we find that the permit revocation was authorized under Section 67-1-37(b), we do not here decide whether Section 67-1-71(d) contemplates a criminal conviction.