Court Opinion

ID: 9513871
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:41:42.629179+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:04.626921
License: Public Domain

MARING, Justice,
concurring specially.
[¶ 21] I respectfully concur specially. I write only to make known my concerns regarding misstatements of law during closing arguments.
[¶ 22] In general, counsel must make a timely objection to a misstatement of the law and must ask the trial judge to give a curative instruction to the jury. Blessum v. Shelver, 1997 ND 152, ¶ 30, 567 N.W.2d 844. Failure to object waives the misstatement of the law. Id. There is one exception to this rule:
The only exception to the general rule requiring objection to improper closing argument is when the misconduct of counsel is so severe that it affects that party’s substantial rights or constitutes a denial of a fair trial, thereby placing an independent duty upon the court to confíne the attorney to the permissible bounds of argument, where necessary, and admonish the jury.
Id. (citing Andrews v. O’Hearn, 387 N.W.2d 716, 731 (N.D.1986)). A party’s substantial rights are affected when an attorney’s misstatement of the law during closing argument affects the outcome of the case. Howes v. Kelly Services, 2002 ND 208, ¶ 5, 654 N.W.2d 422.
[¶ 23] Here, the attorney for Cass County misstated the law when he stated during his closing argument, “[t]here’s no evidence, not one shred of evidence in this case, that the county’s ever done it before, and as a consequence there cannot possibly be a policy or custom of a defendant to countersue a citizen.”
[¶ 24] However, Strand’s ability to challenge Cass County’s attorney’s misstatement of law during closing argument was hindered by his own inaction. First, Strand failed to request a jury instruction on the meaning of “policy.” Then, he never objected to Cass County’s attorney’s closing argument. Further, Strand never clearly argued how he was prejudiced by the misstatement of law and never moved for a new trial. We do not know how the trial judge would have viewed the impact of the misstatement of law because Strand did not make a motion for a new trial. A motion for a new trial provides the trial judge an opportunity to explain why a misstatement of the law made during closing argument was or was not prejudicial. In assessing prejudice, we consider the analysis of the trial judge because the judge was in a better position to weigh the impact of the misconduct. Blessum, 1997 ND 152, ¶ 33, 567 N.W.2d 844.
[¶ 25] A trial judge, however, must be concerned that a party receive a fair trial *381and be ready to take appropriate action when a misstatement of the law occurs during closing argument. “[A] trial judge has a duty to prevent improper closing argument from prejudicing the jury.” Murphy v. Int’l Robotic Sys., 766 So.2d 1010, 1023 (Fla.2000). The trial judge in this case could have cured Cass County’s attorney’s misstatement of law. Trial judges must remember the important role they play in ensuring the fair administration of justice. Even if the trial judge breaches his duty, this does not necessarily mean the party’s substantial rights are affected.
[¶ 26] Despite the exception to the waiver rule, under the facts present in this case, I agree with the majority that Cass County’s attorney’s misconduct during closing argument was not so severe that it affected Strand’s substantial rights.
[¶ 27] Although Cass County’s attorney’s misstatement of the law did not affect Strand’s substantial rights, such misconduct can have a significant impact. “An attorney must refrain from potentially prejudicial comments during closing argument.” Blessum, 1997 ND 152, ¶ 32, 567 N.W.2d 844. Such comments could be grounds for reversal. The attorney for Cass County made an improper comment when he clearly misstated the law to the jury during his closing argument. I strongly believe improper comments should not be condoned; the legal system depends on public confidence in the courts and the system of justice is negatively impacted by the allowance of improper comments. Therefore, an exception to the waiver rule is essential to maintaining public trust in our jury trial system.
[¶ 28] I, therefore, concur specially and voice my concern that Cass County’s attorney misstated the law during closing argument without admonition by the trial court at any stage.
[¶ 29] Mary Muehlen Maring