Court Opinion

ID: 9760956
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:25:36.349639+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:19.022165
License: Public Domain

BLACKMAR, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
The principal opinion at least will give the legislature the opportunity to correct the fault the Court finds, by authorizing some functionary to represent the public interest so that there may be correction for blatant disregard of the law by circuit judges.
I do not believe that it is necessary to wait for the legislature. The clear policy of § 302.309.3(5) is to deny hardship privileges to repeat offenders. The several circuit courts have flaunted that policy. The state is aggrieved by these improper orders, and the state, through responsible officials, should be able to seek relief in the appellate courts.
At the very least the director should be allowed to intervene as of right pursuant to Rule 52.04, as soon as he receives notice of the grant of hardship privileges. See Higgins v. Director of Revenue, 778 S.W.2d 24 (Mo.App.1989, Holstein, J.) in which the Director intervened and then processed a successful appeal. This is ample foundation for appeal.
We should not apply statements about the standing of private parties to appeal mechanically, so as to deprive the public of means of correction of a manifest wrong. We could, if necessary, treat the appeal as an application for writ of certiorari, or other extraordinary writ, in order to carry out the policy of the law. See State ex rel. Danforth v. Lasky, 498 S.W.2d 535 (Mo. banc 1973). Our superintending control (Mo. Const., art. V, § 4) is designed to prevent lower courts from violating the law’s express commands. Contrary to the intimation of the principal opinion, a person does not necessarily have to be a party in order to seek an extraordinary writ, which is an original proceeding. State ex rel. Eagleton v. Hall, 389 S.W.2d 798 (Mo. banc 1965).
I would remand the'several cases to the trial courts with directions to permit the Director of Revenue to move for leave to intervene, and for further proceedings.