Court Opinion

ID: 9783755
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-30 20:07:09.773521+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:35:35.065138
License: Public Domain

KENNETH M. ROMINES, J., concurs
in result in separate opinion.
OPINION CONCURRING IN RESULT
I would dismiss the appeal because the Director’s claims are moot.
In the Director’s sole point on appeal, she argues that the circuit court erred in reinstating Brinker’s driving privileges. She claims that she met her burden to make a prima facie showing that Brinker submitted a fraudulent license application, and Brinker did not then present sufficient evidence to refute the showing. Notwithstanding the Directors claims, we are unable to provide any relief because the issue is moot.
“A threshold question in any appellate review of a controversy is the mootness of the controversy.” State ex. rel Reed v. Reardon, 41 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Mo. banc 2001). In Missouri, it is well-settled that the courts do not determine moot cases. Cross v. Cross, 815 S.W.2d 65, 66 (Mo.App. E.D.1991). A moot case raises the issue of justiciability, and therefore courts may dismiss it sua sponte. Kinsley v. Steiger, 109 S.W.3d 194, 195 (Mo.App. E.D.2003). A question is justiciable only where the judgment will declare a fixed right and accomplish a useful purpose. Local Union 1287 v. Kansas City Area Transp. Auth., 848 S.W.2d 462, 463 (Mo. banc 1993).
On 29 July 2010, the Director sent Brinker a notice that his driving privileges were being revoked from 9 August 2010 until 9 August 2011. After 9 August 2011, his full privileges would have been reinstated provided he passed the written and road tests, and did not have any active suspensions, revocations, cancellations, or denials. ‘When an event occurs that makes a court’s decision unnecessary or makes granting effectual relief by the court impossible, the case is moot and generally should be dismissed.” Local Union 1287, 848 S.W.2d at 463. The event here is the passage of the date at which Brinker’s driving privileges would have been reinstated even if the Director would have prevailed in the circuit court.
Missouri recognizes only two narrow exceptions to the mootness doctrine. Kin-sky, 109 S.W.3d at 196. First, if a case becomes moot after argument and submission, then dismissal is within the discretion of the court. Id. The second exception to the mootness rule applies if a case presents an issue that (1) is of general public interest and importance, (2) will recur, and (3) will evade appellate review in future *382live controversies. Id. If the exception applies then dismissal of the case due to mootness is discretionary. Id. This second exception “is very narrow ... and if an issue of public importance in a moot case is likely to be present in a future live controversy practically capable of review, the ‘public interest’ exception does not apply.” Id.
Here, the first exception does not apply because the case became moot months before it was submitted to this court. The second exception does not apply because the issue raised by the Director amounts to little more than a sufficiency of the evidence claim that could easily be reviewed in a future live controversy.
Because Brinker’s motor vehicle privileges would have been reinstated on 9 August 2011 this court is deprived of an ability to grant the Director any effectual relief. Therefore, the case is moot. Because no exception to the mootness doctrine applies, we should dismiss the appeal.