Opinion ID: 699226
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fugitive disentitlement--an equitable power of the court.

Text: 34 The fugitive disentitlement doctrine limits access to courts in the United States by a fugitive who has fled a criminal conviction in a court in the United States. The doctrine is long-established in the federal and state courts, trial and appellate. 35 The power of an American court to disentitle a fugitive from access to its power and authority is an equitable one. U.S. v. Sharpe, 470 U.S. 675, 681 n. 2, 105 S.Ct. 1568, 1573 n. 2, 84 L.Ed.2d 605 (1985); United Elec., Radio & Mach. Workers of Am. v. 163 Pleasant St. Corp., 960 F.2d 1080, 1098 (1st Cir.1992); U.S. v. Van Cauwenberghe, 934 F.2d 1048, 1054-55 (9th Cir.1991); U.S. v. Persico, 853 F.2d 134, 136 (2d Cir.1988); Brinlee v. U.S., 483 F.2d 925, 926 (8th Cir.1973). See also Conforte v. Commissioner, 692 F.2d 587, 590 (9th Cir.1982), stay denied, 459 U.S. 1309, 103 S.Ct. 663, 74 L.Ed.2d 588 (1983). 6 36