Court Opinion

ID: 9748487
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 16:02:57.578619+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:35.832884
License: Public Domain

RICHARD B. TEITELMAN, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
Relators seek a writ of prohibition. “Prohibition is a discretionary writ, and there is no right to have the writ issued. Prohibition will lie only to prevent an abuse of judicial discretion, to avoid irreparable harm to a party, or to prevent exercise of extra-jurisdictional power.” State ex rel Linthicum v. Calvin, 57 S.W.3d 855, 856-57 (Mo. banc 2001) (citations omitted). Interlocutory review of trial court error by writ of prohibition “should occur only in extraordinary circumstances.” State ex rel Chassaing v. Mummert, 887 S.W.2d 573, 577 (Mo. banc 1994). “If the error is one of law, and reviewable on appeal, a writ of prohibition is not appropriate.” Id.
Missouri’s trial judges are steeped in a tradition of justice and discretion. They do not make class certification rulings arbitrarily. In this case, the trial judge exhibited a great deal of careful discretion. As the principal opinion acknowledges, the trial court certified the class “[ajfter extensive discovery and three evidentiary hearings.” The trial court heard oral argument and considered lengthy briefs submitted by fine attorneys from reputable law firms. The trial court concluded that the class would be certified with appropriate protections for the class members. The trial court decided that full disclosure in the notice to the class members and freedom to opt out of the class were sufficient remedies for the problems discussed by the principal opinion. A decision as to what remedy is appropriate is a difficult one-and one appropriately left within the discretion of the trial court. The notice to class members is yet to be drafted or issued. This Court is not yet reviewing a full record. The plaintiffs may win or lose depending on a variety of factors that may or may not be related to class counsel or representatives, but that result is far from clear at this early stage.
“The trial court abuses discretion if its order is clearly against the logic of the circumstances, is arbitrary and unreasonable, and indicates a lack of carefid consideration.” State ex rel. Ford Motor v. Messina, 71 S.W.3d 602, 607 (Mo. banc 2002). This is far from such a case. There is no compelling reason why these issues cannot be raised on direct appeal with a great deal more clarity.
I would quash the writ.