Opinion ID: 2109153
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Riemers' Complaints against Peters-Riemers, Gjesdahl, and Gjesdahl's Law Firm

Text: [¶ 21] Riemers argues the court erred when it granted summary judgment to Peters-Riemers, Gjesdahl, and Gjesdahl's law firm because civil suits for damages resulting from perjury in another proceeding should be allowed under the United States and North Dakota constitutional requirements of due process. The trial court concluded that North Dakota would follow other jurisdictions which have held that no civil action for damages lies for perjury. [¶ 22] While our Court has not directly adopted this position, it has acknowledged that the general rule is that no civil action lies for perjury. Hurt v. Freeland, 1999 ND 12, ¶ 35, 589 N.W.2d 551. We have also pointed out that [o]ther jurisdictions have uniformly held that a plaintiff may not, by claiming conspiracy, avoid the doctrine there is no civil action for perjury. Id. at ¶ 36 (quoting Stolte v. Blackstone, 213 Neb. 113, 328 N.W.2d 462, 466 (1982)). [¶ 23] The remedy for perjury in North Dakota is a criminal action prosecuted by the State of North Dakota. See N.D.C.C. ch. 12.1 § 11. We adopt the doctrine that a litigant cannot bring a civil action in tort for perjury. [¶ 24] Although we have recognized a cause of action for a civil conspiracy to commit an unlawful act or to commit a lawful act by unlawful means, Riemers' affidavits do not provide competent, admissible evidence that would form a basis for liability or damages. See Hurt, 1999 ND 12, ¶ 37, 589 N.W.2d 551 (holding the essence of a civil conspiracy is the damages caused by the agreement between parties to inflict injury upon another). The district court properly dismissed Riemers' conspiracy claims. [¶ 25] Riemers argues that Peters-Riemers, Gjesdahl, and Gjesdahl's law firm abused the judicial process for their financial and legal gain by pursuing contempt actions which resulted in his incarceration. The trial court concluded that this argument was barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel and that even if it were not barred, Riemers failed to produce evidence sufficient to survive summary judgment. [¶ 26] We agree with the trial court that Riemers' claims are barred by res judicata. Res judicata means that a valid, existing final judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction is conclusive, with regard to the issues raised, or those that could have been raised, and determined therein, as to the parties and their privies in all other actions. Ohio Cas. Ins. Co., 1998 ND 153, ¶ 23, 583 N.W.2d 377. This claim is barred by res judicata as both contempt judgments were appealed and reversed by this Court because Riemers had not been advised of his right to counsel. See Peters-Riemers, 2004 ND 28, 674 N.W.2d 287; Peters-Riemers, 2003 ND 96, 663 N.W.2d 657.