Court Opinion

ID: 9753820
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 19:31:16.124001+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:27:43.084560
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Me. Justice Jones :
In Commonwealth ex rel. Beemer v. Beemer, 200 Pa. Superior Ct. 103, 188 A. 2d 475 (1962), the Superior Court held that, in a child custody case, where a party had flagrantly disobeyed an order of the trial court and was held in contempt, an appeal from such order should be quashed. Judge Watkins, speaking for the Superior Court, said: “There are a rash of modern instances where court orders are disobeyed with impunity and- respect for the law and the courts thereby weakened. It seems, therefore, that it is the duty of the appellate courts to see to it that every assistance is extended to the courts of the Commonwealth so that orders are meticulously carried out as otherwise the dignity of the judiciary, the majesty of the law and its enforcement are clearly undermined.” (p. 106). We agree with the rationale of Beemer “that it is contrary to the principles of justice to permit one who has flaunted [sic] the orders of the courts to seek judicial assistance. . . .” (pp. 107-8).
• In Commonwealth ex rel.- Goodwin v. Goodwin, 413 Pa. 551,198 A. 2d 503 (1964), we adopted the rationale of Beemer.
The record in the case at bar indicates a flagrant disobedience by Dr. Brocker of the orders of the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County. Even after this Court had granted supersedeas in connection with this appeal, Dr. Brocker wilfully disobeyed the condition upon which the supersedeas had been granted and persists in such disobedience to the orders of this Court. Under these circumstances, until Dr. Brocker stands ready and willing to obey the orders both of the court *534below and this Court, he should be denied judicial assistance at the appellate level.