Court Opinion

ID: 3209914
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-07 12:05:05.536777+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:36:50.026902
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                  No. COA15-1005

                                 Filed: 7 June 2016

Wilson County, No. 15 CRS 01309

IN THE MATTER OF: CHRISTOPHER KORFMANN,

      Appeal by Christopher Korfmann from Order entered 10 June 2015 by Judge

Milton F. Fitch, Jr. in Wilson County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals

9 March 2016.

      Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP, by Brent F. Powell and James A. Dean.

      Attorney General Roy Cooper, by Assistant Attorney General Kimberly N.
      Callahan, for the State.

      ELMORE, Judge.

      Christopher Korfmann (appellant) appeals from the trial court’s order finding

him in direct criminal contempt for using a cell phone during jury deliberations and

sentencing him to thirty days in prison. After careful consideration, we reverse and

vacate the order.

                                  I. Background

      On 8 June 2015, appellant was selected to serve as a juror for a civil trial in

Wilson County Superior Court. After the trial and during jury deliberations, the trial

judge received a note from the jury room. As a result, he recalled the jury to the

courtroom and asked the foreperson, who happened to be appellant, “Was a cell phone
                            IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                    Opinion of the Court

utilized by one of the jurors in this matter, yes or no?” Appellant responded, “Yes . . .

That was myself.” After a bench conference with the attorneys, the following colloquy

took place:

              THE COURT: Sir, were you using that cell phone during
              this trial?

              THE FOREPERSON: No, sir.

              THE COURT: How was the cell phone utilized?

              THE FOREPERSON:             Yesterday        when   I   left   the
              courthouse.

              THE BAILIFF: Stand up, sir.

              (Foreperson stood.)

              THE FOREPERSON: Yes, sir. Yesterday when I left the
              courthouse I went to lunch and while I was at lunch I used
              the note taking program on my cell phone to record my
              notes because I didn’t have a piece of paper to write down.

              THE COURT: Your notes, where did the notes come from?

              THE FOREPERSON: The notes, the things that I wanted
              to remember from the trial just so I could think about it
              and that I wouldn’t forget if I had—there was a few
              questions that I had that I wanted to ask today during
              deliberation and I wrote down those questions that I
              wanted to ask so I wouldn’t forget.

              THE COURT: And who were you going to ask those
              questions of?

              THE FOREPERSON: They were the questions I was
              planning to ask you, sir.

                                           -2-
              IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                    Opinion of the Court

THE COURT: You were going to ask me the questions?

THE FOREPERSON: Well, no. I was going to ask the
Court because they were questions I didn’t feel were
answered during—

THE COURT: Do you understand what your function is as
a juror?

THE FOREPERSON: Yes, sir.

THE COURT: So why would you have these questions to
ask me, the Court?

THE FOREPERSON: Well, there were—perhaps I
misspoke. They were questions that I had about the case,
that I wrote down the questions simply because I didn’t
have a pen and paper to write down the questions and it
was more, it was, aside from questions it was things that I
wanted to remember that—

THE COURT: Did you hear my instruction that it is your
duty to recall and remember?

THE FOREPERSON: I did, sir, yes.

THE COURT: All right. Have a seat.

(Foreperson sat down.)

THE COURT: Come.

([The attorneys] approached the bench and a discussion
was held off the record.)

THE COURT: Madam Court Reporter, for the record, at
the beginning of this trial the parties agreed further and
stipulated further that the jury verdict could go down to
ten; thus I did not pick an alternate.

                           -3-
                    IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                          Opinion of the Court

     Because of the developments as I understand the
     developments to have occurred in this jury room in this
     matter, that is, an individual utilized a cell phone for the
     purposes of questions, answers, notes or whatever, and
     then informed the Court that the purpose of his notes were
     to pose questions to the Court when the Court has made it
     crystal clear that the jury is to rely on their recollection,
     not their notes, not a cell phone, but their recollection. And
     then come to find that the party who had utilized
     technology turns out to be the Foreperson which cause [sic]
     some problems in the jury room; thus how I got the issue.

     I am going to declare a mistrial in this matter. And this
     matter will have to be tried again.

     It is the Court’s responsibility to avoid impropriety as well
     as the appearance of impropriety. The court system
     through its citizens that this court system belongs to
     oftentimes gets a black eye from citizens who are not
     willing to participate in the court system and to follow the
     rules that are outlined by them.

     This Court takes the strong position that technology is not
     to be utilized by jurors and, in fact, this jury has been
     warned several times not to use.

     In my opinion the utilization by the juror is blatantly
     disrespecting the Court’s order not to use.

     Sir, I think that what I am going to do with you is I am
     going to send you to Wilson County Jail for 30 days for
     failing to follow the order given to you by this Court.

     The ladies and gentlemen of this jury are now excused. You
     can get a certificate as to where you have been for the last
     several days. You are excused.

      This gentleman is in your custody.
A “Direct Criminal Contempt/Summary Proceedings/Findings and Order” was

                                 -4-
                           IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                  Opinion of the Court

entered that same day stating the following:

             The court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that during the
             proceeding the above contemnor willfully behaved in a
             contemptuous manner, in that the above named contemnor
             did

             DEFENDANT WAS A JUROR IN THE MIDDLE OF
             DELIBERATIONS AND USED HIS CELL PHONE
             AFTER BEING INSTRUCTED NOT TO DO SO.

             The undersigned gave a clear warning that the contemnor’s
             conduct was improper. In addition, the contemnor was
             given summary notice of the charges and summary
             opportunity to respond.

             The contemnor’s conduct interrupted the proceedings of
             the court and impaired the respect due its authority.

             Therefore, it is adjudged that the above named contemnor
             is in contempt of court. It is ordered that the contemnor
             . . . be imprisoned for a term of 30 days in the custody of
             the Sheriff.

      Appellant was taken to the Wilson County Jail where he stayed for six nights

before being released on bail. According to appellant, upon his release all of his

personal belongings were returned to him with the exception of his phone. Appellant

filed notice of appeal on 15 June 2015 and a Motion for Appropriate Relief (MAR) on

19 June 2015. As of the filing of appellant’s brief on 7 October 2015, the trial court

had not scheduled a hearing for the MAR.

                                    II. Analysis

      “[O]ur standard of review for contempt cases is ‘whether there is competent

                                         -5-
                                 IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                         Opinion of the Court

evidence to support the trial court’s findings of fact and whether the findings support

the conclusions of law and ensuing judgment.’ ” State v. Phair, 193 N.C. App. 591,

593, 668 S.E.2d 110, 111 (2008) (quoting State v. Simon, 185 N.C. App. 247, 250, 648
S.E.2d 853, 855 (2007)).

       N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-11 provides a list of conduct that constitutes criminal

contempt. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-11(a)(1)–(10) (2015). Although the trial court’s order

does not specify which subsection applies, it appears that the court based its order on

section 5A-11(a)(3), which states that criminal contempt is the “[w]illful disobedience

of, resistance to, or interference with a court’s lawful process, order, directive, or

instruction or its execution.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-11(a)(3) (2015).

       Direct criminal contempt occurs when the act “(1) [i]s committed within the

sight or hearing of a presiding judicial official; and (2) [i]s committed in, or in

immediate proximity to, the room where proceedings are being held before the court;

and (3) [i]s likely to interrupt or interfere with matters then before the court.” N.C.

Gen. Stat. § 5A-13(a) (2015). “Any criminal contempt other than direct criminal

contempt is indirect criminal contempt and is punishable only after proceedings in

accordance with the procedure required by G.S. 5A-15.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-13(b).

       On appeal, appellant submits a number of challenges to the trial court’s order. 1

1 Appellant argues that he did not violate a court process, order, directive, or instruction; the trial
court did not instruct him not to take or use notes; the trial court did not instruct him that he could
not use his phone during recesses or deliberations; the evidence does not support the finding he

                                                 -6-
                                IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                        Opinion of the Court

Assuming without deciding that appellant engaged in direct criminal contempt, we

hold that the trial court failed to follow the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14

and the order must be vacated. Thus, we do not reach each of appellant’s arguments.

       Appellant argues that “the process used to convict him fell short of the

requirements of North Carolina law.”

       N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14 allows a judge to “summarily impose measures in

response to direct criminal contempt[.]” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14(a) (2015). Before

imposing measures in response to direct criminal contempt, though, “the judicial

official must give the person charged with contempt summary notice of the charges

and a summary opportunity to respond and must find facts supporting the summary

imposition of measures in response to contempt. The facts must be established

beyond a reasonable doubt.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14(b) (2015). This Court has

previously noted that “the requirements of [N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14] are meant to

ensure that the individual has an opportunity to present reasons not to impose a

sanction.”    In re Owens, 128 N.C. App. 577, 581, 496 S.E.2d 592, 594 (1998).

Moreover, “imprisonment may not be imposed for criminal contempt, whether direct

or indirect, unless: (1) The act or omission was willfully contemptuous; or (2) The act

or omission was preceded by a clear warning by the court that the conduct is

improper.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-12(b) (2015).

actually used his phone during deliberations; the trial court failed to make the requisite finding of
willfulness; and he did not engage in direct criminal contempt.

                                                -7-
                            IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                   Opinion of the Court

      In Peaches v. Payne, this Court concluded that “the trial court failed to follow

the procedure mandated by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14(b),” and as a result we reversed

the finding of contempt. 139 N.C. App. 580, 587, 533 S.E.2d 851, 855 (2000). We

reasoned, “The transcript reveals that the court advised contemnor that, because he

had questioned the rulings of the court and shown disrespect for the court, he was in

the bailiff’s custody. Court was immediately recessed without contemnor having been

given an opportunity to present reasons not to impose a sanction.” Id. (quotations

omitted).

      Here, like in Peaches, the transcript shows that the trial court did not advise

appellant that he was being charged with contempt and appellant was not provided

an opportunity to respond to the charge. Instead, the trial court stated, “Sir, I think

that what I am going to do with you is I am going to send you to Wilson County Jail

for 30 days for failing to follow the order given to you by this Court.” The trial court

immediately excused the other jurors, told the bailiff that appellant was in his

custody, and announced that court was adjourned sine die.

      The trial court did not give appellant the necessary “summary notice of the

charges and a summary opportunity to respond” before imposing measures under

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14. The State’s argument that appellant “was given notice and

an opportunity to explain his actions” is not supported by the transcript. Although

appellant was able to respond to the trial judge’s preliminary questions, appellant

                                          -8-
                             IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                   Opinion of the Court

was not given an opportunity to respond to the charge. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14

(2015). Accordingly, because the trial court failed to comply with the statutory

requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 5A-14, we reverse and vacate the contempt order.

      In Peaches, we stated, “Trial judges must have the ability to control their

courts. However, because a finding of contempt against a practitioner may have

significant repercussions for that lawyer, judges must also be punctilious about

following statutory requirements.” 139 N.C. App. at 587, 533 S.E.2d at 855. We point

out that a finding of contempt against a citizen, attempting to fulfill his civic duty to

serve as a juror for the first time, along with a thirty-day jail sentence, may also have

significant repercussions.

      While the presiding judge is given large discretionary power as to the conduct

of a trial, we note that specifically instructing the jury as to certain discretionary

decisions may help jurors properly fulfill their role in court. For instance, North

Carolina Pattern Jury Instruction 100.70, “Taking of Notes by Jurors,” states the

following:

             While the Rules of Civil Procedure have no statutory
             analogue to G.S. § 15A-1228, which permits jurors in a
             criminal case to make notes and take them into the jury
             room (except where the judge on his own motion or the
             motion of a party rules otherwise in his discretion), note-
             taking in civil cases has been left, as a matter of practice, to
             the sound discretion of the trial judge.

             [If Denied: In my discretion, members of the jury, you will
             not be allowed to take notes in this case.]

                                          -9-
                            IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                  Opinion of the Court

             [If Allowed: In my discretion, you will be allowed to take
             notes in this case.

             When you begin your deliberations, you may use your notes
             to help refresh your memory as to what was said in court.
             I caution you, however, not to give your notes or the notes
             of any of the other jurors undue significance in your
             deliberations. All of the evidence is important. Do not let
             note-taking distract you. Listen at all times intently to the
             testimony.

             Any notes taken by you are not to be considered evidence
             in this case. Your notes are only to assist your memory and
             are not entitled to any greater weight than the individual
             recollections of other jurors.]

N.C.P.I.–Civil 100.70 (2004).

      While “[o]ur trial court judges must be allowed to maintain order, respect and

proper function in their courtrooms[,]” State v. Randell, 152 N.C. App. 469, 473, 567
S.E.2d 814, 817 (2002), they must also follow all statutory requirements before

imposing a finding of contempt. See Peaches, 139 N.C. App. at 587, 533 S.E.2d at 855.

      Appellant also claims that, even if he could have been properly held in

contempt, confiscation of his phone exceeds the sanctions allowed under North

Carolina law. In appellant’s affidavit, he states,

             After telling me he was sending me to jail, the Judge
             dismissed everyone. The bailiff took me to a room behind
             the courtroom. Eventually, I was handcuffed and shackled
             around my ankles and waste. All my personal belongings
             were taken. I was told everything would be taken to the
             jail, other than my phone. The phone was placed in an
             envelope and put in a locked box in the room. The bailiff

                                         - 10 -
                           IN RE: CRISTOPHER KORFMANN

                                  Opinion of the Court

              told me the Judge would keep the phone and was still
              deciding whether to destroy it.

       The record is devoid of any attempts by appellant to recover his phone. Until

appellant applies for his phone’s release and is refused, we cannot order the phone to

be returned to appellant. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-11.1(a) (2015).

                                  III. Conclusion

       Because appellant was not given summary notice of the charge against him

and was not given an opportunity to respond to the charge, we reverse and vacate the

trial court’s order.

       REVERSED AND VACATED.

       Judges McCULLOUGH and INMAN concur.

                                         - 11 -