Court Opinion

ID: 9689037
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 18:17:07.060811+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:49.201395
License: Public Domain

SAND, Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I agree that a criminal case such as State of North Dakota v. Henry Howe, the one in question, cannot be converted into a civil case particularly where the criminal case has run its course and has terminated, as was the case here. On 1 August 1977 this court on appeal reversed Howe’s conviction and remanded the case. The motion which ultimately came before this court on appeal was filed on 13 December 1980 and sought an order directing the sheriff of Barnes County, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as other agencies in possession of arrest records, for alleged violations of §§ 12.1-09-01,12.1-08-05, or 19-03.1-23, to return them to Henry Howe and to expunge any reference to such arrest from any official record. The motion also sought an order directing the clerk of court of Barnes County to expunge the record relating to the arrest of Henry Howe for alleged violations of § 12.1-08-05.
*750The above motion was filed more than three years after the conviction was set aside and the case was remanded. A criminal action has expired upon the final determination of the appeal. State v. Jager, 91 N.W.2d 337 (N.D.1958); State v. Prince, 66 N.W.2d 796 (N.D.1954). The courts lost jurisdiction of this case. See also, John v. State, 160 N.W.2d 37 (N.D.1968), and State v. Gronlie, 213 N.W.2d 874 (N.D.1973). It cannot be revived by a motion. This is not an instance where the motion was filed contemporaneously with the remand. Even then a problem would exist, particularly in the area of jurisdiction over the parties named in the motion.
Even where motions are permitted after trial has been completed there are certain limitations. For example, a motion for a new trial on newly discovered evidence may be heard if the motion is made within 30 days after discovery of the new evidence. But in any event it must be made within two years, unless the matter is on appeal, and then it must be heard within a certain time after the appeal has been resolved. Rule 33(d), NDRCrimP. Otherwise the matter must be heard sooner.
Similarly, a motion or application for reduction of sentence must be not only made but actually disposed of within 120 days after the entry of judgment because after the 120 days the court loses jurisdiction. Rule 35, NDRCrimP. United States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 179, 99 S.Ct. 2235, 2237, 60 L.Ed.2d 805 (1979), and United States v. Nunzio, 430 A.2d 1372 (D.C.App. 1981).
It seems axiomatic and proper that in order for a motion to be heard and considered a basic action has to be pending unless there is a specific statute or rule providing that the proceedings may be initiated by motion. For example, this court in an amercement proceeding under § 28-21-19, NDCC, held that the statutory provision had to be followed strictly. The statute provided for the proceedings to be commenced with a motion, but the party proceeded with a regular action which this court held was improper. Other than by rule or statute a motion is proper only if an action is in existence so that the motion can be part of it. In Anderson v. Gordon, 9 N.D. 480, 83 N.W. 993 (1900), our court said that an order for an injunction could only be made in a pending case and that the same is true of a motion. In a criminal action the court does not continue to have jurisdiction such as we find in domestic relations. The court’s jurisdiction ceases when the action has become terminated.
I agree with the following statement in Justice Erickstad’s opinion:
“The relief requested by Howe is of a civil nature, and he should have commenced a civil action against the custodians of the arrest records which he desired to have expunged. By filing a motion and mailing notice to the named parties Howe failed to properly effect service of process as required by Rule 4 of the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure such as would allow the district court to acquire personal jurisdiction over them.”
However, I cannot agree with the following statement:
“. . . we conclude that the voluntary general appearance made by the Barnes County Sheriff, the Barnes County State’s Attorney, and the Barnes County Clerk of District Court, at the December 30, 1980, hearing submitted those parties to the personal jurisdiction of the district court under Rule 4(b)(4), N.D.R.Civ.P. Consequently, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction as well as personal jurisdiction over those parties so as to enable it to enter a valid jurisdictional order against them.”
I cannot agree with this conclusion.
The record shows the following. After an opening remark the Court asked:
“Are all of those parties represented? I see you are, Mr. Howe?
“MR. HOWE: Yes, Your Honor.
*751“THE COURT: So you are represented — Are you appearing on your own behalf?
“MR. HOWE: I am appearing on my own behalf, yes.
“THE COURT: Mr. Paulson, are you appearing for whom?
“MR. PAULSON: I think I am probably appearing for the State’s Attorney for Barnes County. I guess that would be on my own behalf. And I guess I am appearing for the Clerk of the District Court, Barnes County. And also for the Sheriff of Barnes County.
I did discuss this matter with the Attorney General’s office just by way of note, and letter too, correspondence that I received in the last few days. They had a schedule conflict so they weren’t going to appear. But they assisted me in preparing or furnishing me some material with respect to my making an oral response.
I discussed the propriety of making some type of return to this motion and they sort of agreed that it wasn’t necessary. It seems like with all of these people joined in the thing that there would be more — at least an attempt to make a formal response. But we haven’t made any formal response as such. But we are here, appearing to give — and I guess I have assumed representation for the other parties too, although I guess the Attorney General’s office and Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Sheriff of Cass County can appear on their own. I guess I wasn’t assuming representation for them. Let’s say I am representing the Barnes County people.
“THE COURT: I think however, I will appoint you as counsel for all of the six including yourself.
“MR. PAULSON: I think the issues to be raised would be comparable with all six parties as joined as motionees, if that’s the correct title. I will accept that.”
Thereafter the court called upon Mr. Howe, who explained his position and repeatedly, in his argument, stated that this was a continuation or a final step in the criminal proceedings. Mr. Paulson then stated his position. No evidence was introduced.
These proceedings do not establish conformity with Rule 4 of the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure.
In the final analysis from the record as set out above, the parties involved did not voluntarily appear. An appearance was imposed upon them by the court in directing that the state’s attorney represent the various parties. I cannot conceive that such discourse or procedure constitutes a voluntary appearance. If this constitutes a voluntary appearance, then it would behoove all parties in such instances to refrain from not appearing but to appear and make it a special appearance challenging jurisdiction. This is not contemplated by our rules of procedure. The courts, including the appellate courts, are to be champions of due process. If they fail in this, all else is for naught.
This case is substantially different than the case of Bryan v. Miller, 73 N.D. 487, 16 N.W.2d 275 (1944), in which an appeal for trial anew was taken to district court from justice court and the technical issue of having made a proper deposit in lieu of undertaking was raised. The parties appeared and challenged the procedure relating to the deposit. But in the instant case the parties appeared by court appointment of counsel for the parties.
The parties did not make a general appearance, rather the “appearance” was made by appointment of the court. Neither did the parties participate at the “trial.” See Olson v. Brodell, 128 N.W.2d 169 (N.D. 1964), where party invoked jurisdiction of court to permit amendment to complaint. For further discussion on appearances, general and special, consult 5 Am.Jur.2d 1, et seq.
After reviewing the foregoing activities I am convinced that the proceedings as disclosed by the transcript do not in any manner describe any action which could be deemed a general appearance and even less a voluntary general appearance.
*752The proceeding as reflected by the transcript is more in harmony with a special appearance of the parties than with a general appearance or a voluntary general appearance. It was more of an involuntary appearance.
The denial of the motion by the district court should be affirmed without prejudice. If Howe wishes to proceed as contemplated by either the Civil Rules of Procedure or by statute, he should be permitted to do so. In that event, the court could devote its effort to the merits of the action rather than to procedural matters. Such procedure would not only be in complete harmony with judicial economy but would enhance it.