Opinion ID: 1777258
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: did the chancellor err in ordering forfeiture of the entire $50,000.00 bond?

Text: Accredited Surety argues that a Ne Exeat Bond should be forfeited in an amount equal to the damages suffered by the benefactor of the bond on account of the principal's failure to appear. In this case, Accredited Surety asserts that Simmons has been damaged only in the amount of $13,216.50 plus interest and costs. This argument is based on their interpretation of the court's July 7, 1986, Order adjudging Bolles to be in contempt of court. This argument fails for two reasons. First, Accredited Surety ignores the purpose behind the Ne Exeat Bond in this case. The amount of support arrearage is inconsequential on the issue of forfeiture. The Ne Exeat Bond is conditioned upon the obligor remaining within the jurisdiction of the court and amenable to its process so that enforcement of the court's orders can be accomplished. Roberts v. Fuhr, 523 So.2d 20, 27 (Miss. 1987); Gibson v. State for Use of Clark, 220 Miss. 39, 44-45, 70 So.2d 30 (1954). The failure of this condition triggered the breach and subsequent forfeiture of the bond without regard to the amount of underlying support arrearage. The chancellor correctly found that Mr. Bolles did not remain amenable to the order or decree of the chancery court as required, and according to the provisions of a later entered order and the bond pursuant thereto, he did not remain amenable to the orders and decrees of the court nor did he appear when required. The condition of the bond was not met and the bond was forfeited and the judgment could stand. The chancellor further found that the surety company accepted an obligation which was not fulfilled and they were amply paid for their entry into that obligation. Of course, the surety company has its recourse against Bolles as the principal, and it is not up to the surety company to decide whether or not Simmons and her children have gained a windfall or not. As the chancellor stated, the bond is given in order to permit Bolles to continue to do and perform all of his travels and promotions and activities around the globe, but it is not intended as a shield to protect him from performing the duties and orders of this court. Second, even assuming that Accredited Surety's argument about forfeiture in general is meritorious, it misinterprets the July 7, 1986, contempt order. That Order makes it abundantly clear that, as of July 7, 1986, Bolles may purge his contempt by paying not only the $13,216.50 plus interest and costs, but also by securing the necessary permission to allow Simmons to sell certain stocks previously pledged in the order of March 21, 1985. Bolles is thus bound by the terms of the March 21, 1985 Order in which he agreed, inter alia, to pay $138,188.52 plus $1,000.00 per month continuing child support. Bolles is liable in the added amount of $13,216.50 plus interest and costs as per the July 7, 1986, Order. If we assume forfeiture should be ordered in an amount equal to the damages, Bolles would be the one receiving a windfall. At the time of forfeiture, Bolles was undeniably in contempt for failing, inter alia, to make support payments in an amount far in excess of $50,000.00 which was the amount of the Ne Exeat Bond. We conclude that the actions of the chancellor are well founded on both law and fact. Faced with an increasingly recusant defendant, the legitimate interest of the surety company, and the continuing support needs of a mother and her children, the chancellor acted equitably and admirably in reaching a correct decision on all issues. Therefore, there is no merit to the direct appeal. However, based upon the peculiar facts and circumstances that triggered the necessity for this appeal and the Rule 60 hearing, we are of the opinion that all costs should be assessed to Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc., and that Simmons is entitled to both penalty and interest on this appeal. The judgment of the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, is affirmed. AFFIRMED ON DIRECT APPEAL; CROSS-APPEAL DISMISSED. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, GRIFFIN and ZUCCARO, JJ., concur. ANDERSON, J., not participating.