Court Opinion

ID: 9863250
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 03:18:28.373257+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:39:30.936400
License: Public Domain

SIMEONE, Presiding Judge
(concurring).
I agree with the result which disposes of the cause on the merits and which holds that the appellant has failed to conform to the rules relating to appellate procedure, Rule 84.04. The time has come for all counsel on appeal to scrupulously follow and conform to the Rules of the Supreme Court relating to appellate practice. While I am sympathetic with the great demands on the time of counsel, too often we have been lenient with the rules either because of our deference to the members of the bar or to the rights of the parties so that their important interests may be determined. We have therefore ignored or did not record the many failures to follow the Rules, to analyze the issues before the court or the lack of adequate discussion and analysis of important points raised by an adversary or found by this court. Too often the statement of facts in the briefs is merely a summary of the testimony of each witness seriatim contrary to the rule. Too often the statement of facts is wholly incomplete so that we must sift and search for the facts. A statement of facts which follows the rules should be clear, complete, accurate and concise so that they could almost be used verbatim in an opinion. Too often respondents will merely adopt the appellant’s incomplete statement of the facts or ignore points or arguments raised by appellant. Thus the court is left alone to develop the facts, render a decision and write an opinion without the benefit of counsel’s thoughts and complete analysis of the points and issues. We no longer can afford the luxury of doing the work of an advocate on appeal [Donnell v. Vigus Quarries, Inc., 489 S.W.2d 223 (Mo.App.1972)], and of necessity must make closer examination of briefs and, where deficient, simply dismiss the appeal and let the consequences fall where they may. If a cause is important enough to have it reviewed by an appellate court, it deserves the time, effort, sweat and toil worthy of the good lawyers we have in our Bar and which is worthy of a professional person.
Long ago one of our greatest jurists said:
“The rules of appellate practice . . . are simple and plain. They fill no office of mere red tape, or as a show of surface routine. To the contrary, they have substance, and carry on their face the obvious purpose to aid appellate courts in getting at the right of a cause. . . . If they are not to be obeyed they should be done away with once for all. . . . ” Sullivan v. Holbrook, 211 Mo. 99, 109 S.W. 668, 670 (Mo.1908).
*522We sincerely hope that the advocate will aid this court, and present the facts, issues, authorities, and argument fully and properly on appeal so that the cause may properly, fairly and justly be reviewed.
Having said this, I agree with Judge McMillian’s opinion that the judgment on the merits should he affirmed. The issues involved were matters of credibility, and I cannot say that the trial court was clearly erroneous. Rule 73.01(d). The trial judge had the opportunity to see and hear the witnesses, and we must give due deference to its findings.