Opinion ID: 453323
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Other Considerations Discussed by the District Court

Text: 46 At the end of his opinion the trial judge addressed several issues under the heading Other Considerations. The trial judge stated that these issues, though not raised explicitly by the parties, merit discussion .... 584 F.Supp. at 1465-66. He then discussed what he viewed as the particular problems of the Illinois statute's provisions which impose criminal liability for recklessly violating the Act, provide for punitive damages in an appropriate civil suit brought for violation of the Act, and fail to provide for constructive notice should a minor be unable to notify her parents or someone standing in loco parentis. These issues were not litigated by the parties and the district court's discourse regarding these issues did not reach any holdings of law. In short, these issues were not part of the district court's decision. 47 It is well-settled that a ground for reversal cannot be presented for the first time on appeal. International Travelers Cheque Co. v. Bankamerica Corp., 660 F.2d 215, 225 (7th Cir.1981); Textile Banking Co. v. Rentschler, 657 F.2d 844, 853 (7th Cir.1981); Stern v. United States Gypsum Co., 547 F.2d 1329, 1333-34 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 975, 98 S.Ct. 533, 54 L.Ed.2d 467 (1977). Narrow exceptions to this rule exist when a jurisdictional question is raised or in exceptional circumstances where justice demands more flexibility. Id. This rule applies where the issue was not raised by the parties below in the pleadings or in argument. United States v. Miroff, 353 F.2d 481, 483-84 (7th Cir.1965); Beckman Instruments, Inc. v. Coleman Instruments, Inc., 338 F.2d 573, 576-77 (7th Cir.1964). Even if the issue is contained in a pleading, the rule may apply if the issue was not argued at trial. King v. Stevenson, 445 F.2d 565, 570-71 (7th Cir.1971). 48 In the case at bar the record indicates that the Other Considerations discussed by the district court were not argued at trial and were not the basis of the district court's decision declaring the Illinois statute unconstitutional. Moreover, the district court did not make any holding regarding these issues, but merely stated that it was troubled by problems which might arise under the provisions in question. In fact, appellees admit that in addressing these issues the district court merely expressed its opinion. Appellee's Br. at 4. Under these circumstances, the general rule stated above applies. The issue is then whether any exceptional circumstances exist where justice demands more flexibility. We have been unable to find any cases where such circumstances exist. In view of this fact it appears that this exception truly is narrow. Further, the circumstances of this case do not appear to demand more flexibility. Therefore, the general rule should be applied in this case, and we will not address any of the issues not argued at trial.