Petition for Writ of Certiorari — Smith v. Indiana State Board of Health
Supreme Court brief1974
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FILED
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" - | MAY. 8) 1974
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER TERM, 1973
No. G3 - 18 10
ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH, a’k/a ROBERT SMITH ALEXANDER; TOM
DUNCAN; ALEXANDER AND DUNCAN PRODUCTIONS; and
ALEXANDER PRODUCTIONS, INC.,
Petitioners,
V
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH; INDIANA STATE POLICE DEPART-
MENT; CHARLES T. RACHELS, Prosecuting Attorney, 11th Judicial Cir-
cuit, Indiana; WILLIAM M. COX, Posey County Sheriff; POSEY COUNTY
BOARD OF HEALTH; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF POSEY
COUNTY, INDIANA,
Respondents.
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
To the Court of Appeals of Indiana
JOHN D. CLOUSE
1004 Hulman Building
Evansville, Indiana 47708
Telephone: (812) 424-6671
Counsel for Petitioners
May 29, 1974
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St. Louis Law Printing Co. Inc., 812 Olive Street 63101 314-231-4477
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INDEX
Page
BME EEE ire is 0 era a ee ea ates 2
RES LCE, tea pet 2 a Ce er a aS
ee 2
Constitutional Provisions Involved .................. 3
Statutory Provisions Involved ...................... 3
ON iis og ela bck See ek oa 4
Reasons for Granting the Writ ...................... 8
1. The Indiana State Court has decided federal ques-
tions of substance not in accord with the applicable
Cs er es ES ck. eck ce 8
2. The Indiana State Court has decided federal ques-
tions of substance not theretofore determined by this
MN i chneackekan Obie Gre sneer ks 10
RII 6 ci ooeey beleecebaet cee ee 12
Appendix A—Opinion and Judgment of Court of Appeals A-1
Appendix B—Rulings on Petition for Rehearing and Peti-
ee eS oe eer eee oe A-21
CITATIONS
Cases
Denny v. State (1932), 203 Ind. 682, i82 N.E. 313 ..... 4
Freeman v. Hewitt (1946), 329 U.S. 249, 67 S.Ct. 274, 91
RAP Hekduvicras dou sos ee ot ealiu 10
ats
Er URS RS Aes saat
OG RS i HU te Si dea ad a Sal ies ROIS,
ii
Gompers v. Buck’s Stove & Range Co. (1911), 221 U.S.
GO, 20 Oe, GO, BO Me FO ook nc cee cc cde cys 9
Joe Louis Milk Co. v. Hershey (1965), 243 F. Supp 351... 11
Johnson v. Bennett (1968), 393 U.S. 253, 89 S.Ct. 436,
sgh SRST Set gv Orica ORE DART Oe EES 11
Louis K. Liggett Co. v. Baldridge (1928), 278 U.S. 105,
ee re a ae a aw li
Siebeking et al. v. Ford (1954), 125 Ind. App. 365, 122
SP ss nS Ge me ae ur te toe F-., 8
State v. Ikeda (1943), 61 Ariz. 41, 143 P.2d 880 aT eae FN 11
State ex rel. Taylor v. Circuit Court, etc. (1959), 240 Ind.
94, 162 N.E.2d90...... Wa acaadie ete ek ok i 10
Stump v. Bennett (8 Cir. 1968), 398 F.2d 111 ......... 11
Tate v. Short (1971), 401 U.S. 395, 91 S.Ct. 668, 28 L.
ga AVS aon PAL arte a cod SO y
Whittem v. State (1871), 36 Ind. 196 ................ 9,11
Williams v. Illinois (1970), 399 U.S. 235, 90 S.Ct. 2018,
PUI nent ic esters a ee 9
Federal Statutes
ae. RR ae eee ns 3
Eo era ctr order ar ocr ert 3,11
Miscellaneous
Constitution of the United States, Article 1,§ 8 ........ 3
Constitution of the United States, Fourteenth Amendment,
OE Severe eee eee eee re Ge OL ak Soe ce 3, 11
I.C. 1971, 34-4-7-6 (Ind. Ann. Stat. § 3-906) .......... y
Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule AP 11 (B) .. 2
ee er
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER TERM, 1973
Me ok,
ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH, a/k/a ROBERT SMITH ALEXANDER; TOM
DUNCAN; ALEXANDER AND DUNCAN PRODUCTIONS: and
ALEXANDER PRODUCTIONS, INC.,
Petitioners,
Vv
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH; INDIANA STATE POLICE DEPART-
MENT; CHARLES T. RACHELS, Prosecuting Attorney, 11th Judicial Cir-
cuit, Indiana; WILLIAM M. COX, Posey County Sheriff: POSEY COUNTY
BOARD OF HEALTH; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF POSEY
COUNTY, INDIANA,
Respondents.
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
To the Court of Appeals of Indiana
The petitioners, Robert Alexander Smith, a/k/a Robert
Smith Alexander, Tom Duncan, Alevander and Duncan Pro-
ductions, and Alexander Productions, Inc., respectfully pray
that a writ of certiorari issue to review the judgment and
opinion of the Court of Appeals of Indiana entered in this
proceedings on November 7, 1973.
OPINION BELOW
The opinion of the Court of Appeals of Indiana, printed in
the Appendix hereto, infra, p. A-1 is reported in 303 N.E. 2d
50.
JURISDICTION
The judgment of the Court of Appeals of Indiana was en-
tered on November 7, 1973. A timely petition for rehearing
was denied on December 14, 1973. A timely petition to
transfer the cause to the Supreme Court of Indiana was
denied on April 19, 1974. The Supreme Court of Indiana is
the highest court in that state having jurisdiction to review de-
cisions of lower state courts. Indiana Rules of Appellate Pro-
cedure, Rule AP 11 (B). This petition for certiorari was filed
within ninety (90) days of the Indiana Supreme Court’s re-
fusal to review, or “transfer”, the decision herein. This Court's
jurisdiction is invoked under 28 U.S.C. § 1257 (3).
QUESTIONS PRESENTED
1. Can the petitioners be committed to jail in lieu of a
penalty which they are financially unable to pay?
2. Is a contempt proceeding civil, or criminal, when it at-
tempts to coerce performance of an act which is incapable of
performance?
3. Where criminal sanctions can be imposed, does a de-
fendant ever have the burden of proof?
4. Can a state court, by its injunction, impede the free flow
of interstate commerce?
5. Do petitioners have Federal statutory rights to engage
in a business of their choosing?
a
$32 sey
PRRs.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS INVOLVED
The Constitution of the United States, Article 1, § 8, Powers
of Congress, provides in its relevant parts:
[1.] The congress shall have power * * *
[3.] To regulate commerce * * * among the several
tate, * °°,”
The Constitution of the United States, 14th Amendment, § 1,
provides in its relevant parts:
“* * * nor shall any state deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny
to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection
of the laws.”
STATUTORY PROVISIONS INVOLVED
United States Code, Title 42:
“§ 1981. All persons within the jurisdiction of the
United States shall have the same right in every State and
Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be par-
ties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of
all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and
property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be sub-
jected to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses,
and exactions of every kind, and to no other.
“§ 1982. All citizens of the United States shall have
the same right, in every State and Territory as is enjoyed
by white citizens thereof to inherit, purchase, lease, sell,
hold, and convey real and personal property.”
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Shortly before Labor Day, 1972, the petitioners were prepar-
ing to conduct a musical concert or “rock fest” in the State of
Illinois. The respondents instituted a proceedings in the Posey
Circuit Court, in Posey County, Indiana, and secured a re-
straining order against petitioners. In the words cf the Indiana
Court of Appeals:
“The restraining order basically enjoined the defendants
from advertising, promoting, conducting, selling, or giving
tickets, operating food and/or drink concessions at the
Labor Day celebration and restrained the defendants from
in any way holding the rock festival in Posey County, In-
diana.”
‘The respondents filed a “first” information in contempt against
petitioners, but that proceeding is not in issue here.
Respondents thereafter filed a second information in con-
tempt. against petitioners, charging violation of the restraining
order in that the petitioners, inter alia, had a ticket booth in
Posey County, Indiana; directed patrons to park in Posey
County, Indiana; and “sold concessions” in Posey County, In-
diana. The information concluded with the following prayer:
“Wherefore, plaintiffs pray that said defendants and each
of them be punished for their disobedience of said order
and all subsequent orders of this Court.”
Based upon this information, the Court issued a show cause
order.
The petitioners filed a responsive pleading to this—a motion
to discharge the rule to show cause. (This is, in effect, a motion
to dismiss contempt proceedings). The motion averred, inter
alia:
0 Alte FRAPS A OA RE SE PI La MO its ot)
wii ois
“5. That the orders of this Court allegedly violated are
void and of no effect in that they purport to regulate inter-
state commerce, a matter only subject to regulation by the
Congress of the United States.
“6. That said orders of Court allegedly violated are void
and that they are in direct contravention to Federal statu-
tory law.
“7. That said orders of Court are void in that they de-
prive these defendants of Due Process of Law as guaranteed
to them by the 14th Amendment to the Federal Constitu-
tion.”
Thus, a federal question was first raised by petitioners by this
motion, which was overruled by the trial court.
The petitioners thereafter filed an answer averring no intent
to violate the court’s order. The court found the contempt pro-
ceedings were civil in nature, and ordered the parties to proceed
to trial.
During the trial, the court permitted respondents to prove
that the rock fest had caused damage to roads and the incurring
of additional police salaries and other expenses. The evidence
showed that the rock fest was conducted in the State of Illinois,
but incidental activities occurred in Indiana. The Court’s judg-
ment, insofar as it is relevant here reads:
“* * “ That Defendants, Robert Smith Alexander, Tom
Duncan, Alexander and Duncan Productions, and Alex-
ander Productions, Inc. and each of them shall pay
$6,571.35 to Posey County, Indiana and Posey County, In-
diana Communities and shall pay the State of Indiana $24,-
748.06 instanter, said payments to be made to the Clerk
of the Posey Circuit Court, who is authorized to distribute
said payments as heretofore set out. That Defendant,
—
Robert Smith Alexander sha'l be committed into the hands
of the Sheriff of Posey County, Indiana until said damages
are paid in full. That Defendant, Tom Duncan, shall be
committed into the hands of the Sheriff of Posey County,
Indiana until said damages are paid in full. * * *”
The petitioners thereupon filed a “(second) affidavit for re-
mission of fine” raising another federal question. This, omitting
formal parts, reads as follows:
‘Robert Alexander Smith, a/k/a Robert Smith Alexan-
der, Tom Duncan, Alexander and Duncan Productions,
and Alexander Productions, Inc., hereby make affidavit to
this Honorable Court as follows:
1. They would show to this Court that heretofore in
the second contempt charge against these defendants that
this Court ordered them to pay into this Court as a penalty
for their alleged contempt the sum of $31,319.41.
2. That at this present time the Internal Revenue Serv-
ice of the United States Government has levied upon all of
their property, the amount of said levy being in the sum
of $52,875.00, and said levy stands as a lien against any
conceivable asset which your affiants might have.
3. That the State of Indiana, and the County of Posey,
in a proceeding in this Court for damages, which is Cause
No. 72-C-218, have secured a writ of attachment, also
against the property of your affiants.
4. That, further, one Milton J. Reis, d/b/a Reis Cater-
ing Service, has also petitioned the Vanderburgh Superior
Court for a writ of attachment against all of tue property
of your affiants, which writ said Court has ordered granted,
although it is not, known at this time whether or not said
writ has actually issued.
~ ead Sa eal UR ae
5. That the City of Evansville has a writ of attachment
attaching Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) of the
money and funds of your affants, the legal propriety of
said writ having been appealed to the Court of Appeals
of the State of Indiana.
6. That for all of the above reasons, your affiants do not
have the sum of $31,319.41 with which to pay and satisfy
the fine levied against them herein, and that said fine
should be remitted. That under the rulings of the Su-
preme Court of the United States of America, it is viola-
tion of said defendants’ rights to Due Process of Law, or
other rights of these defendants, to impose any sanction
when it is shown that the persons fined do not have the
financial ability ‘o pay and discharge said fine.
7. That, further, this Court has adjudged these defend-
ants to be imprisoned for a debt in direct contravention
to the Constitution of the State of Indiana.
Wherefore, your affiants pray that the Court remit the
fine heretofore imposed and all other just and proper
relief.”
This affidavit was overruled and denied by the Court.
Thereafter. petitioners filed a motion to correct errors, assign-
ing claimed errors of the trial court, including the overruling of
their motion to discharge the rule to show cause and their affi-
davit for remission of fine. This motion (to correct errors)
again raised federal questions:
“6. The decision of the Court is contrary to iaw in that:
* * * the enjoining of defendants’ business enterprise is
contrary to Federal statutory law; and the Court's decision
restrains interstate commerce in violation of the Federal
Constitution, being Article 1, § 8 (3) thereof.”
ih SACO Re Bee hs ike Raa
oe Ys
eae Ne
This motion to correct errors was overruled, and petitioners
prosecuted an appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. On this
appeal the petitioners filed a brief in which they argued the
aforementioned federal questions in more detail.
(N.B.: The record quoted from above speaks as of the time
of its making. Subsequent changes are not noted, as petitioners
deem it improper to go outside of the record.)
REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT
1. The Indiana State Court Has Decided Federal Questions
of Substance Not in Accord With the Applicable Decisions of
This Court.
(a) This reason for granting the writ involves the first ques-
tion presented: “Can the petitioners be committed to jail in
lieu of a penalty which they are financially unable to pay?”
After petitioners were ordered to pay the contempt “judg-
ment” or be committed to custody until they did so, they filed
their “(second) Affidavit for Remission of Fine.” This the trial
court overruled and denied, although it was not answered, de-
nied, or in any way controverted.
“* * * The fact th’. under the circumstances shown
counter affidavits could have been presented, and that the
appellee did not see fit to so present such counter affidavits
imports verity to the facts stated in the affidavits in ques-
tion.” Siebeking et al. v. Ford (1954), 125 Ind. App. 365,
371, 122 N.E. 2d 880.
The Court of Appeals of Indiana reduced the amount of this
penalty, but otherwise affirmed this judgment of the trial court.
Thus, petitioners must now surrender themselves into custody or
pay the penalty which, their affidavit demonstrates, they cannot
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possibly pay. A sentence of life imprisonment seems, indeed, a
harsh penalty for littering highways. Be that as it may, however,
this Court in the cases of Williams v. Illinois (1970), 399 U.S.
235, 90 S.Ct. 2018, 26 L.Ed2d 586 and Tate v. Short (1971),
401 U.S. 395, 91 S.Ct. 668, 28 L.Ed2d 130 has heid it to be
a denial of Federal equal protection to jail a criminal defendant
in lieu of a fine he cannot pay. Although the proceedings below
were not criminal, the consequences to petitioners are the same.
Further, according to the law of Indiana, “* * * a proceeding
for contempt is in the nature of a criminal prosecution. * * *”
Whittem v. State (1871), 36 Ind. 196, 202.
(b) This reason for granting the writ also involves the second
question presented: “Is a contempt proceeding civil, or crim-
inal, when it attempts to coerce performance of an act which
is incapabie of performance?”
Generally, in Indiana a civil contempt action is to coerce, a
criminal contempt action is to punish. Denny v. State (1932).
203 Ind. 682, 182 N.E. 313. However, the punishment which
can be inflicted in a criminal contempt action is limited to a fine
of tive hundred dollars ($500.00) and imprisonment of no more
than three (3) months. IC 1971, 34-4-7-6 (Ind. Ann. Stat.
$ 3-906). Was the contempt action brought against petitioners
in fact civil, as the trial and appellate court found? The case of
Gompers v. Buck's Stove & Range Co. (1911), 221 U.S. 418,
442. 31 S.Ct. 492, 55 L.Ed 797 appears to be the principal
antecedent of Denny. It clearly draws the line between civil and
criminal contempts, the former being to coerce action capable
of performance (the contemnor, if imprisoned, “* * * carries
the keys of his prison in his own pocket”) and the latter being
to punish. At bar, the record below demonstrates that the peti-
tioners do not have the keys to their prison in their own pockets.
Petitioners acknowledge that Gompers apparently is not a Fed-
eral Constitutional case, but contend that in the case at bar it
should be applied as an exposition of what Due Process of Law
a
should encompass. That concept clearly appears in the opinion
although the particular words are not used.
(c) This reason for granting the writ finally involves the
fourth question presented: “Can a state court, by its injunction,
impede the free flow of interstate commerce?”
The fact that the “rock fest” was conducted in interstate
commerce seems beyond dispute, and is, in fact, acknowledged
in the opinion of the Indiana Court of Appeals, although that
court does not so characterize it. When the trial court entered
its injunction against petitioners commerce was drastically im-
peded. This Court, in Freeman v. Hewit (1946), 329 U.S. 249,
253, 67 S.Ct. 274, 91 L.Ed 265, held that the Commerce
Clause, even without implementing legislation, is a limitation
on the power of States, and:
“* * * A State is also precluded from taking any action
which may fairly be deemed to have the effect of impeding
the free flow of trade between the States.”
If the trial court could not make the restraining order al-
legedly violated. if such order was void, then:
“* * * It is well established that a void order cannot
be the basis of a citation for contempt. * * *” State ex
rel. Taylor v. Circuit Court, etc. (1959), 240 Ind. 94,
102, 162 N.E. 2d 90.
2. The Indiana State Court Has Decided Federal Questions
of Substance Not Theretofore Determined by This Court.
(a) This reason involves the third question presented:
“Where criminal sanctions can be imposed, does a defendant
ever have the burden of proof?”
We again consider the affidavit for remission of fine, which
the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected. That court held petition-
$5
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don,
cen oe
ers had the burden of proving their inability to pay the penalty
imposed. We have previously demonstrated that, in Indiana,
contempt proceedings are in the nature of criminal prosecutions,
Whittem v. State, supra. Whether the Due Process Clause pro-
hibits the burden of proof from ever shifting in a criminal case
seems to be a question not decided by this Court. Johnson v.
Bennett (1968), 393 U.S. 253, 89 S.Ct. 436, 21 L.Ed 2d
415. However, this Court's reference in that case to the case of
Stump v. Bennett (8 Cir. 1968), 398 F. 2d 111, is highly sig-
nificant. Stump holds:
“That an oppressive shifting of the burden of proof to
a criminal defendant violates due process * * *.”
(b) This reason finally involves the fifth question presented:
“Do petitioners have Federal statutory rights to engage in a
business of their choosing?”
Although this question was raised in the petitioners’ motion
to correct errors and brief, it was not discussed by the Indiana
Court.
The Fourteenth Amendment, their basis, and United States
Code, Title 42, §§ 1981-1982 dictate an affirmative answer.
Louis K. Liggett Co. v. Baldridge (1928), 278 US. 105, 112.
49 S.Ct. 57, 73 L.Ed 204, holds that one’s business is a property
right and that a State cannot arbitrarily interfere with it or im-
pose unreasonable or unnecessary restrictions on it. Although
there is a paucity of authority under the above cited Civil Rights
Acts, 42 U.S.C. § 1982 has been applied to the transaction of
business. State v. Ikeda (1943), 61 Ariz. 41, 143 P. 2d 880.
A nisi prius decision, Joe Louis Milk Co. v. Hershey (1965),
243 F. Supp. 351, 354, opines:
“* * * Neither logic nor policy compels the conclusion
that property rights are less deserving of protection under
the Constitution and Civil Rights Acts than are human
freedoms. * * *”
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Now, had the respondents and the trial court told the peti-
tioners, “You must have so many toilets, so many guards, so
much water, etc.”, it would seem to be a legitimate exercise of
police power. A total prohibition is not. Even nitroglycerine
can be manufactured.
CONCLUSION
For these reasons, a writ of certiorari should issue to review
the judgment and opinion of the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Respectfully submitted
JOHN D. CLOUSE
1004 Hulman Building
Evansville, Indiana 47708
Telephone: (812) 424-667!
Counsel for Petitioners
May 29, 1974.
ae = ee
APPENDIX A
Attorney for Appellants:
John D. Clouse, 1004 Hulman Building, Evansville, In-
diana 47708.
Attorneys for Appellees:
Theodore L. Sendak, Attorney General of Indiana; Robert
F. Hassett, Deputy Attorney General, Offices of the
Attorney General, 219 State House, Indianapolis, In-
diana 46204
In the
Court of Appeals of Indiana
First District
Cause No. 1-573 A 78.
Robert Alexander Smith, a/k/a Robert Smith Alexander; Tom
Duncan; Alexander and Duncan Productions; Alexander Pro-
ductions, Inc., and Others; Unknown Promoters, Whose True
Christian Names Are Unknown; Richard Roe and Others, Un-
known Concessionaires, Whose True Christian Names Are
Unknown; Ronald Poe and Others, Unknown Performers Indi-
vidually and as Organized Groups of Performers Whose True
Christian Names Are Unknown; Jane Moe and Others, Un-
known Ticket Sellers, Whose True Christian Names Are Un-
known; John Doe and Others, Unknown Participants and
Attendants, Whose True Christian Names Are Unknown,
Defendants-Appellants,
Vv.
Indiana State Board of Health; Indiana State Police Depart-
ment; Charles T. Rachels, Prosecuting Attorney, 11th Judicial
a Sa
Circuit, Indiana; William M. Cox, Posey County Sheriff; Posey
County Board of Health; Board of County Commissioners of
Posey County, Indiana,
Plaintiffs-Appellees.
Appeal From the Posey Circuit Court
The Honorable William D. Richardson
Special Judge
Lowdermilk, J.
Oral argument in the above case was held at the Old Terri-
torial Assembly Hall, Vincennes University, Vincennes, Indiana.
Plaintiffs-appellees commenced this action on August 29,
1972, by filing a complaint for injunction in the Posey Circuit
Court seeking to enjoin the defendants-appellants from holding
a “rock festival” (“Labor Day celebration”) in Posey County,
Indiana.
On the same day, defendants-appellants filed a motion for
change of judge from the Honorable Steve C. Bach, Judge of
the Posey Circuit Court, which motion was granted. Later
that day, plaintiffs presented a petition for a temporary restrain-
ing order to Judge Bach which was granted over the objections
of the defendants-appellants.
The restraining order basically enjoined the defendants from
advertising, promoting, conducting, selling or giving tickets,
operating food and/or drink concessions at the Labor Day
celebration and restrained the defendants from in any way
holding the rock festival in Posey County, Indiana.
Judge William D. Richardson was selected and qualified as
Special Judge. On September 1, 1972, plaintiffs filed the first
of two informations for contempt, which information alleged
that the defendants were in violation of the restraining order.
Ce ary oot. rn .
eee a ee RNR OR PURE JOPTEN MNEER DPR RMR TOKE OMEITE MTR IO AMDT rah omeone’
a
The trial court issued a rule to show cause to the defendants
and set the same for hearing at 9:00 o’clock A.M. on Septem-
ber 2, 1972.
Hearing was had on the date specified over defendants’ ob-
jections and the court made findings and rendered judgment
holding defendants in contempt.
Thereafter, defendants-appellants filed their affidavit for re-
mission of a fine of $1,000 which had been assessed against
them after hearing of the first citation for contempt and the re-
lief requested was by the court denied.
On September 6, 1972, plaintiffs filed a second information
for contempt, whereupon the trial court issued the second rule
to the defendants :o show cause and set the same for hearing on
September 8, 1972. Defendants filed verified answer to the
second information and the hearing was had.
On October 13, 1972, the court entered findings and judg-
ment holding the defendants in (1) criminal and (2) civil con-
tempt. A second affidavit for remission of fine was filed by the
defendants after the court had ordered the fine paid or the de-
fendants sent to jail, which affidavit was overruled and denied by
the court.
Motions to correct errors were timely filed on the first and
second contempt convictions and were overruled by the court.
This is a consolidated appeal from the overruling of the two
motions to correct errors.
The motions to correct errors will be discussed herein as the
various specifications apply to the issues raised at the two con-
tempt hearings, and specifications which tend to support the
same issue will be treated as one. Rule AP. 8.3 (A)(7).
The first issue is common to both hearings and attacks the
very basis of the cause. Defendants-appellants contend that
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aS ee
Judge Bach, having granted the motion for change of judge,
lost all jurisdiction in the cause and acted beyond the scope of
his authority when he granted the temporary restraining order.
Appellants argue that if Judge Bach erroneously granted the re-
straining order, the resulting contempt convictions necessarily
must be reversed, as no contempt can ensue from an invalid re-
straining order. |
We have found no case exactly on point regarding a change
of judge, but cases regarding change of venue from the county
are similar and the same reasoning would apply to both changes
_ from the county and from the judge. Our Supreme Court, in
the case of Indianapolis Dairymen’s Co-op. v. Bottema (1948),
226 Ind. 260; 265, 266, 79 N.E. 2d 409, in which a temporary
injunction was issued and a similar objection was raised, based
on lack of jurisdiction, held as follows:
“.. . It is the general rule that when a proper motion for
change of venue from the county is filed the court in which
it was filed loses jurisdiction in the case. State ex rel. Keal-
ing v. Clay Circuit Court (1934), 207 Ind. 259, 263, 192
N.E. 423. But jurisdiction must continue in some court,
and until the court to, which the venue was changed ac-
quires jurisdiction by the receipt of transcript, the original
court must retain jurisdiction to make any necessary emer-
gency interlocutory orders... .
* * * * * * *
“.. . Delay pending the completion of a change of venue
might in many instances deprive parties of the protection
afforded by such interlocutory remedies. The rule that the
filing of an affidavit for a change of venue from the county
does not deprive the court of jurisdiction to make such in-
terlocutory orders is well settled, and no indication of a
recession from this rule is pointed out. . . .” (Our em-
phasis. )
MEN ee EE MARTE LS
aay yews
The policy considerations for the rule enunciated in Bottema,
supra, were set out in the case of State ex rel. Gwin v. Spencer,
Judge (1942), 220 Ind. 337, 339, 43 N.E. 2d 724, as follows:
“
. . Jurisdiction over the case must necessarily be in
some court and some court must necessarily have jurisdic-
tion over the action to make such orders as might be eces-
sary for the protection of the rights of the parties ‘itigant.
To hold that the respondent judge in this case had no juris-
diction to make interlocutory orders in such a case would
leave the parties to the action helpless until the venue had
been perfected, and jurisdiction vested in the court to
which it was sent. In some cases several days or possibly
weeks might intervene between the date of filing the motion
for a change of venue and the date upon which the case
was filed in the county to which the action was venued. In
the meantime, property interests might be affected seriously
and the welfare of children might be neglected. We are not
persuaded that such a situation should receive the endorse-
ment of this court.”
This court held, in the case of Mich. Mut. Liab. Co. v. Perez
(1965), 137 Ind. App. 247, 256, 207 N.E. 2d 368, that:
“When the application for a change of venue was filed
by co-defendant, which is binding upon all defendants, the
trial judge before whom the cause was filed lost jurisdiction
except in matters of emergency and which matters need
prompt determination. . . .”
Dean Harvey has discussed this question and concluded that:
“No change of venue may be taken from such interlocu-
tory proceedings such as hearings upon a preliminary in-
junction or the granting of a temporary restraining order,
and if a change is taken upon the principal action, the
judge in which the case is filed may grant a preliminary
PHOS GAPE le a) UM nar leet
AL, neat a Mubd pie ent ine hele
—" =
injunction or temporary restraining order up until the new
judge qualifies . . .” (Our emphasis.)
4 Indiana Practice 389, Injunctions, § 65.
It is our opinion that jurisdiction in the cause was retained
by Judge Bach for emergency matters, even though a change of
judge had been granted. To hold otherwise would not only
contravene sound policy considerations and ruling precedent,
it would allow a defendant to file for a change of judge simply
to divest the local court of emergency jurisdiction.
The next issue raised by the motions to correct errors relates
primarily to the first contempt conviction. The defendants al-
lege that the court erred when it denied a requested continu-
ance, tried the defendants in absentia, and proceeded with the
action when no rule to show cause, or any other process, had
been served on the defendants.
Plaintiffs had obtained a temporary restraining order enjoin-
ing the defendants from conducting the “rock festival” in Posey
County, Indiana. The actual site for the festival was on Bull
Island which is located in Illinois, but the only land access to
the island is from Indiana. To control entry and collect ad-
mission fees from the estimated crowd of 60,000 persons, the
defendants had set up a stand in Posey County, Indiana. This
activity was a violation of the restraining order and prompted
the plaintiffs to file an information alleging contempt. The in-
formation was filed about 4:30 P.M. on September 1, 1972,
and the court issued a rule to show cause which incorporated
said information. Although the judgment shows service, the
evidence discloses that the defendants were never personally
served or given notice of the scheduled hearing set for Saturday,
September 2, 1972, at 9:00 A.M. and they were not present in
court at that time.
Attorney Clouse, who had appeared generally on behalf of
the defendants in the restraining order and continued to repre-
a
sent them, was notified by a representative of the Attorney Gen-
eral’s office by telephone at about 7:00 P.M. September 1,
1972, of the filing of contempt proceedings and was told to
appear at the hearing the next morning. When he arrived at
the court house Attorney Clouse was presented with the infor-
mation, rule to show cause, notice and order to appear, petition
to designate defendant, and a petition for writ of attachment.
Court convened before Attorney Clouse had an opportunity
to read all of the material.
Attorney Clouse, after explaining the situation to the court,
moved for a continuance on the grounds that he needed time
to read the material, research the law appropriate thereto, pre-
pare responsive pleadings, prepare a defense, and adequately
represent his clients. The court overruled the motions and
proceeded with a hearing on the contempt information. The
defendants again moved for a continuance at the close of plain-
tiffs’ case, but the court again overruled the motion. There-
upon, the court found the defendants in contempt, ordered
them to remove the ticket booth from Posey County, and fined
the defendants $1,000.00.
As a preliminary matter we must decide whether the first
contempt proceedings were criminal or civil in nature. Our
Supreme Court, in the case of Duemling v. Fort Wayne Com-
munity Concerts, Inc. (1963), 243 Ind. 521, 524, 525, 188
N.E. 2d 274, has discussed this distinction as follows:
“It is evident from that case that a disobedience of a
court order which entitles a party to compliance may
constitute the basis for either or both a criminal and civil
contempt proceeding when the act is done wilfully.
* > > . . > *
“A civil contempt is a violation of a court order which
results in a proceeding for the benefit of the aggrieved
party. It is not an offense primarily against the dignity
<="
of the court, but rather is for the benefit of the party
who has been injured or damaged by the failure of an-
other to conform to a court order issued for the private
benefit of the aggrieved party. Therefore, as pointed out
in Denny v. State (1932), 203 Ind. 682, 182 N.E. 313,
the primary objective of a civil contempt proceeding is
not to punish the defendant, but rather to coerce action
for the benefit of the aggrieved party. Punishment in the
form of imprisonment or a fine levied against the defend-
ant, which goes to the State and not to the injured party,
is characteristic of a criminal proceeding. In a civil con-
tempt action the fine is to be paid to the aggrieved party.
and imprisonment is for the purpose of coercing com-
pliance with the order.”
In the case at bar the information was filed on behalf of the
same plaintiffs as in the restraining order and not strictly on
behalf of the State of Indiana. The information did not charge
that the defendants had wilfully disobeyed the restraining or-
der. The trial court was aware of the distinction, as will be
seen in the discussion of the second contempt proceeding. The
judgment in this first contempt proceeding finds the defendants
to be in violation of the restraining order, orders them to
cease such violations and fined the defendants $1,000.00.
As will be seen later in this opinion, the only criminal con-
tempt found by the trial court was a refusal by the defendants
to pay the $1,000.00 fine assessed in the first hearing.
The defendants contend that the errors relating to this issue
combine to show that the defendants were denied due process
of law. One specification alleges error in that the defendants
were not present at the contempt hearing and were, thus, tried
in absentia. Cases cited and relied upon by defendants all re-
late to criminal cases and are inapplicable to this first contempt
hearing, as said hearing was based on civil contempt and was
not criminal in nature.
_—— * om
Tne defendants also contend that no notice of the proceed-
ings was served upon them. It is true that the defendants have
a right to know the charge which they must defend. The evi-
dence discloses that the defendants were not personally served
with the information or rule to show cause. However, their
attorney was notified by telephone of the hearing and he ap-
peared on behalf of the defendants at that hearing and was
served with the proper parers.
Our Supreme Court, in the case of State ex rel. Brubaker v.
Pritchard, Judge, etc. (1956), 236 Ind. 222, 226, 138 N_E.
2d 233, has stated:
“. . . When an attorney enters his appearance of record
in any litigation, so long as such attorney remains the ex-
isting attorney of record, he is the agent of the party, and
the party is bound by such attorney's knowledge and notice
of the proceedings in that case so long as it is pending.”
It is Our opinion that service to the attorney was sufficient
notice and the defendants cannot complain of lack of notice.
It is stated in 5 1.L.E. 539, Constitutional Law, §219, that:
“A person charged with contempt has the right, as a
matter of due process, to be advised of the charges against
him, to have a reasonable opportunity to meet those
charges by way of defense or explanation, to be repre-
sented by counsel and to testify and call other witnesses
in his behalf, also by way of either defense or explana-
—
It is fundamental that one who is subject to punishment has
a right to be given time to answer. Levick v. Hughlett; Levick
v. State (1946), 224 Ind. 561, 69 N.E. 2d 17, 69 N_E. 2d 597.
Our Supreme Court has held, in the case of State ex rel.
Anderson-Madison, etc. v. Superior Ct. (1964), 245 Ind. 371,
382, 383, 199 N.E. 2d 88, as follows:
— A-10 —
“Directing our attention next to the contempt proceed-
ing here, much the same commentary may be made as in
the removal proceedings. The procedure savors too much
of emotional hastiness, when it should result only after
deliberate consideration. This was not a direct contempt
proceeding, but was indirect in its nature. Burns’ §3-908
(1946 Repl.). This statute requires that the person charged
shall be entitled to have served on him the charge which
*.. . shall clearly and distinctly set forth the facts which are
alleged to constitute such contempt, and shall specify the
time and place of such facts with reasonable certainty. . . .’
The defendant has the reasonable opportunity to purge
himself of such contempt, if it exists. Although the re-
spondent judge says the hearing was in ‘open court,’ the
verified statement of the trustee is to the effect that a con-
versation took place in the judge’s chambers on the day
she was ordered to appear. and that no formal hearing took
place following the court's entry of an order holding her
in contempt and removing her as trustee.
Regardless of the conflict on this point, these critical
proceedings lacked, without question, the bare requirements
of due process, namely, the right to be informed specifically
of the charges and a reasonable opportunity to be heard
thereon.
‘It is a fundamental doctrine of the law that a party
to be affected by a personal judgment must have a day
in court, or an opportunity to be heard. In this con-
nection, it is sometimes declared broadly that every
man is entitled to an opportunity to be heard in a
court of law upon every question involving his rights
or interests, before he is affected by any judicial de-
cision on the question. The judgment of a court
without hearing the party or giving him an oppor-
tunity to be heard is not a judicial determination of
— A-11 —
his righ*s, and is not entitled to respect in any other
tribunal.’ 30A Am. Jur., Judgments, § 26. See also:
Windsor v. McVeigh (1876), 93 U.S. 274, 23 L. Ed.
914.”
Due process requires that the notice given a defendant must
also give that defendant an opportunity to make a defense.
State ex rel. Red Dragon Diner v. Superior Ct. (1959), 239
Ind. 384, 158 N.E. 2d 164.
In the case of Town of Walkerton v. N.Y.C. & St.L.R.R. Co.
(1939), 215 Ind. 206, 214, 18 N.E. 2d 799, it was said:
. . Due process requires notice in some proper form
and an opportunity to be heard before some tribunal, not
necessarily a court or before a jury. Campbell v. State
(1909), 171 Ind. 702, 87 NE 212. There must be a fair
Opportunity to be heard before the matter is finally deter-
es
Finally, this court held in the case of Kaiser Alum. & Chem.
Sales v. Dickerhoff (1964), 136 Ind. App. 258, 199 N.E. 2d
719 that an attorney must be given adequate time to prepare
a defense and file any motions pertinent to the cause and that
the denial of this time is a denial of due process of law. See.
also, Indiana Constitution, Article I, § 12.
In the case at bar Attorney Clouse had no opportunity to file
any answer or any other responsive pleading. He was given no
opportunity to test the validity of the information and the record
discloses that the hearing ensued as soon as Attorney Clouse was
handed the papers. The sufficiency of the information is subject
to aétack, and responsive pleadings are proper in a contempt
action. Holler v. State (1914), 183 Ind. 268, 106 N.E. 364;
Stewart v. State (1894), 140 Ind. 7; Cheadle v. State (1886),
110 Ind. 301.
— A-12 —
For the reasons given and from the authorities cited above it
is our opinion that the first contempt proceeding resulted in a
fundamental denial of due process of law in that Attorney
Clouse was given no opportunity to prepare a defense and ade-
quately represent his client. Although we have held that this is
a civil contempt, in the area of attorney preparation time a
strong analogy exists between the criminal law and the case at
hand. This court has held, in the case of Hartman v. State
(1973), — Ind. Ct. of App. —, 292 N.E. 2d 293, that the
right to counsel involved in due process involves the corollary
right to effective counsel. This court held that to have effective
counsel, that counsel must have adequate preparation time. In
the case at bar not only was the preparation time not adequate.
it was non-existent.
The remaining issue in the first contempt conviction is the
matter of the $1,000 fine assessed against the defendants. A
fine is proper in civil contempt only to repair damage or to
compensate the plaintiffs for injuries resulting from contempt.
Denny v. State, supra.
The test for the determination of damages is set out in the
case of Chadwick v. Alleshouse (1968), 250 Ind. 348, 233
N. E. 2d 162:
. Moreover, that determination or decision may be
considered as final in all respects where, as here, it may
readily be said that it was supported by substantial evi-
dence of probative value.”
We have hereinabove held that this first contempt action was
civil in nature and the authorities cited herein establish that
damages or fines must be compensatory and supported by sub-
stantial evidence. In the case at bar we find no evidence to
support the $1,000 fine assessed. These requirements not having
been met by the trial court, we necessarily hold that the $1,000
fine was improper and void and contrary to law.
Rated caw
we
The defendants were cited for criminal contempt at the second
contempt proceeding because of the refusal of the defendants to
pay the $1,000 fine discussed above. Inasmuch as we have
determined that said fine was improper and void we hold that
the criminal contempt conviction must be reversed, as a void
order cannot serve as the basis of a contempt citation. State
ex rel. Taylor v. Circuit Court (1959), 240 Ind. 84, 162 N. E.
2d 90.
Second Contempt Proceeding
Issues 1 and 4 raised by the second motion to correct errors
relate to the jurisdiction matter discussed and resolved in the
first portion of this opinion and present no new question to this
court.
Issue 2 is based on insufficient evidence. The first segment
of this issue relates to the damages assessed, based upon Indiana
State Police costs incurred in connection with the rock festival.
The court awarded $17,217, based on testimony of officers, but
a field examiner for the State Board of Accounts, called by
plaintiffs, testified that the $17,217 cost would have been in-
curred even if no rock festival had occurred. Damages must be
supported by sufficient evidence, and the evidence does not
support this award to the Indiana State Police. Chadwick v.
Alleshouse, supra.
The second portion of this argument is based on the proposi-
tion that the second contempt citation was criminal in nature.
The trial court in its second judgment specifically differentiated
between criminal and civil contempt. We have heretofore held
that the finding of criminal contempt was improper. The de-
fendants in this section or argument contend that the evidence
fails to show an intent by the defendants to commit contempt.
The judgment of the court recognized that no evidence showed
intent to defy authority of the court, as the verified answer of
ere TT pen 4
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the defendants denied such intent and the trial court recognized
that this answer was binding on that court and specifically found
no intent on the part of the defendants to defy authority of the
court and at the same time found a civil contempt which re-
quired only actual intent to violate the court’s order. (Chad-
wick v. Alleshouse, supra.)
Having determined that the second contempt citation was
civil, it would be redundant to repeat all of the law applicable
thereto. Suffice it to say that the basic elements discussed in the
first portion of this opinion, i.e., the damages to recompense
plaintiffs, information filed by the same parties, offense against
parties rather than the dignity of the court, etc., are all present
in the second contempt proceeding.
Finally, defendants contend that there was no evidence con-
necting the defendant Tom Duncan with the sale of tickets at the
rock festival in violation of the restraining order. An examina-
tion of the record discloses conflicting testimony by the Deputy
Sheriff as to whether or not Mr. Duncan could be identified as
one of the ticket sellers. This, of course will not be reviewed by
this court, as we look only to the evidence most favorable to
the appellze where the evidence is conflicting. (Chicago, Indpls.
& Louisville R.R. Co. v. Carter (1971), — Ind. Ct. of App. —,
274 N.E. 2d 537, 539.)
Issue 3 is whether the court erred in overruling the motion
to discharge the rule to show cause. Defendants cite Burns
§ 3-908, which requires that the rule to show cause set out the
facts which are alleged to constitute the contempt along with the
time and place of such facts. Defendants contend that the rule
to show cause does not meet these requirements. However, the
rule to show cause referred to the petition and information for
contempt and made the same a part of and ordered it attached
to the rule to show cause. The information incorporated with
the rule to show cause fully meets all of the requirements of
§ 3-908, supra.
ee ee
IN NES oe Be
— so
Issue 5 pertains to questions propounded by the plaintiffs con-
cerning violations of the restraining order occurring on Septem-
ber 3, 4, and 5, 1972. Defendants objected at trial to any evi-
dence of violations occurring after September 2, 1972.
The information charged contemptuous actions by the de-
fendants occurred “after 1:00 o'clock P.M. on the 2nd day of
September, 1972, . . . and continuously thereafter until said
rock festival had concluded its activities. . . .” Thus, evidence
concerning violations on September 3, 4, and 5, 1972, was ad-
missible for the reason that the festival continued through said
dates.
Issue 6 concerns the admissibility of evidence of damages re-
sulting from the contemptuous conduct. Defendants contend
that this evidence is not consistent with the pleadings, namely
the information, and that the information does not ask for
money damages and is misleading.
The information alleges violations of the restraining order
and we have held that the proceedings were civil in nature. Our
Supreme Court in Duemling v. Fort Wayne Community Con-
certs, Inc., supra, stated:
“We find this proceeding in harmony with that theory.
It was brought, not in the name of the State, but rather
in the name of the aggrieved party. It was filed in the civil
proceeding out of which it grew, rather than as a separate
proceeding. The relief asked was not punitive, but rather
coercive, and relief granted by the court was coercive
rather than punitive. The judgment served to protect the
interests of the aggrieved party. Denny v. State (1932),
203 Ind. 682, 182 N.E. 313.”
Damages for injuries resulting from the contempt of the re-
straining order are proper if supported by the evidence. Chad-
wick v. Alleshouse, supra. The trial court had the right and duty
— A-16 —
to hear evidence relating to these damages and no error was
committed in hearing such evidence.
Issue No. 7 deals with the alleged constitutional violations
that arose when the trial court assessed the fines in this cause
along with jail sentences if the fines were not paid. Defend-
ants had filed with the trial court two affidavits for remission
of fine; the first affidavit dealt with the $1,000 fine imposed at
the first contempt proceeding and the second affidavit with the
$31,319.41 damages imposed at the second proceeding. The
petitions stated, in essence, that the Internal Revenue Service
had levied upon all of the property of the defendants in the
amount of $52,875; the State of Indiana and County of Posey
had secured a writ of attachment against the property of the
defendants; Milton J. Reis d/b/a Reis Catering Service, had
petitioned the Vanderburgh Superior Court for a writ of at-
tachment against all the property of the defendants; the City
of Evansville had a writ of attachment ($10,000) attaching all
the money and funds of the defendants. Defendants point out
that with all of these attachments and liens against their. prop-
erty they properly informed the court that they did not have
the funds to pay the damages assessed. The trial court over-
ruled both affidavits.
Defendants contend that by overruling the affidavits in ques-
tion and imposing the fines (or imprisonment) they were, in
effect, being sent to prison for failing to pay a debt which would
be in direct conflict with the Constitution of Indiana, Article
I, § 22.
However, the Supreme Court of Indiana stated in the case of
Perry v. Pernet (1905), 165 Ind. 67, — N.E. —, that im-
prisonment in contempt is not imprisonment for debt within the
meaning of the Constitution. See, also, Duemling v. Fort Wayne
Community Concerts, Inc., supra.
Defendants also contend that decisions by the United States
Supreme Court, along with Indiana decisions, prohibit imprison-
ote ll? oe
ment for the failure to pay a fine when the defendant is unable
because of his indigency to pay said fine. Defendants cite the
cases of Williams v. Illinois (1970), 399 U.S. 235, 90 S. Ct.
2018, 26 L. Ed. 2d 586, and Tate v. Short (1971), 401 U.S.
395, 91 S. Ct. 668, 28 L. Ed. 2d 130, where in criminal cases
fines followed by imprisonment for failure to pay the same were
held to be unconstitutional because of an invidious discrimina-
tion worked on a defendant solely because he was too poor to
pay the fine. These cases found this practice to be a violation
of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Our Supreme Court, in Perry, supra, stated as follows:
. and the court below, under the terms of said order
of commitment, on the application of appellant and no-
tice to the party to whom the money is due, has the power
to discharge him from custody on his showing that his
failure to pay said amount since the commitment is due
to an actual inability to do so. . .
It was said in Hendryx v. Fitzpatrick, supra, on page
814: ‘We do not mean to be understood that the court has
a general discretion to annul orders passed for the benefit
of a'party to the suit; but that where inability is shown to
comply with the order—as, for instance, insanity, if the
decree requires an act to be done, or poverty, if the de-
cree is for the payment of money—it is according to the
course of the court, and of all courts, to discharge the im-
prisonment, of which the end is proved to be unattain-
able.” ”
In the case of Brown v. Brown (1933), 205 Ind.*664, 187
N.E. 836, our Supreme Court stated that when one has been
imprisoned for failure to comply with an order (similar to the
case at bar) and where said defendant is able to show that he
has not the actual ability to pay for any one of a number of valid |
reasons, then said defendant is entitled to be discharged. The
shes RSD sahoaee |
gaz
MEL GPa ci SORE ADIT pe ht IEEE eo
—s
court went on to hold that a defendant cannot be kept im-
prisoned indefinitely because of a failure to. pay support money
where it is shown that he does not have an ability to make
such payments and cites such a practice as being unconstitu-
tional on the grounds of cruel and unusual: punishment.
In this cause the defendants had the burden of proving they
did not have the actual ability to pay the damages assessed.
The defendants’ affidavits standing alone were not specific
enough to fully inform the trial court of their inability to pay.
Said affidavits only alleged generalities as to the liens and
attachments against their property, did not specifically identify
the source and details of the liens and attachments nor the
amounts of some of the attachments. And, finally, the de-
fendants did not specify their assets, if any.
It is our opinion that these affidavits were not sufficient to
show an inability to pay and the trial court properly denied
the remission of the fine assessed against the defendants. Hav-
ing found the affidavits to be deficient, defendants’ constitu-
tional argument becomes moot.
Issue No. 8 raises the question of whether the decision of
the court was contrary to law and sets up several areas which
the defendants believe are contrary to law.
The first ground is that the decision is indians to law be-
cause the same is not sustained by sufficient evidence. We
have heretofore discussed this issue and determined that said
issue must be resolved at least in part, against the defendants.
The second ground is that the court erroneously held that
the action was in civil contempt. There is no merit in this
contention, as we have heretofore determined this to be civil
contempt.
Defendants also contend once more that the decision is con-
trary to law because the court’s restraining order was void for
— so
lack of jurisdiction. We have heretofore disposed of this argu-
ment by holding to the contrary and shall not consider this
specification further.
The next ground is based upon the premise that the proceed-
ing was in criminal contempt. Defendants contend that the
punishment was in excess of the court's authority, as the statute
provides for fines not exceeding $500 in criminal contempt.
Since this is civil contempt the fines were based on injuries
done to the plaintiffs as a result of the contempt and were in
a compensatory nature. Having determined this is a case of
civil contempt, this specification raises no question.
Finally, the defendants assert that the decision was contrary
to law because “the enjoining of defendants’ business enterprise
is contrary to Federal statutory law: and the court's decision
restrains interstate commerce in violation of the Federal Con-
stitution, being Article I, Section 8, Para. (3) thereof.” De-
fendants contend that their business enterprise (rock festival)
was in the nature of interstate commerce and that the Consti-
tution of the United States prohibits the states from interfering
with interstate commerce as this power was reversed in Article
I § 8 for the Congress of the United States.
The rock festival, although it was held primarily in Illinois,
was based in part at least in Indiana since all ticket sales were
made in Indiana and all land traffic had to pass through Indiana.
The restraining order did not enjoin interstate commerce (i.e.,
the holding of a festival in Illinois), it only enjoined the de-
fendants from holding their rock festival in Indiana, and there
is not a violation of the Constitution or a restraint on interstate
commerce.
The basis of the restraining order was that the festival would
be a danger to the safety and health of the citizens of Posey
County, the State of Indiana, and persons attending the festival.
— A-20 —
It is stated in 15 I.L.E., Health and Safety, § 1, p. 127, that:
“The power of the Federal government to regulate inter-
state commerce does not disable the State from adopting
reasonable measures designed to secure the health and
safety of its people, even though the legislation might in-
directly affect the commerce of the country.”
The court now, for the reasons set out above, reverses the
contempt conviction decreed in the first proceeding herein.
The court further reverses the conviction for criminal con-
tempt for failure to pay the $1,000 fine assessed in the first
proceeding.
The court now finds that the civil portion of the second pro-
ceeding should be modified by the trial court’s striking the
award of $17,217, payable to the Indiana State Police for
salaries and for other expenses from the judgment heretofore
entered in this cause.
Cause remanded to the trial court for entry of a corrected
judgment in compliance with the terms of this opinion. The
civil portion of the second proceeding is now affirmed as herein-
above modified.
Robertson, P.J., and Lybrook, J., Concur.
Se SRD ae UR
te ee See ee
RR a te) mnt
— A-21 —
APPENDIX B
Indiana Court of Appeals Ruling on
Petition for Rehearing
In the Court of Appeals of Indiana
First District
Robert Alexander Smith, et al. .
vs. . No. 1-573 A 78.
Indiana State Board of Health, et al. .
Appellee’s Petition for Rehearing denied this 14th day of
December, 1973.
Appellants’ Petition for Rehearing denied this 14th day of
December, 1973. Hoffman, Jr., Chief Judge.
Indiana Supreme Court Ruling on
Petition to Transfer
In the Supreme Court of Indiana
Robert Alexander Smith, et al. ) (Court of Appeals
= No. 1-573 A 78.
vs. - Le
Indiana State Board of Health, et al.
Appellants’ Petition to Transfer to Supreme Court is denied
this 19th day of April, 1974.
Appellees’ Petition to Transfer to Supreme Court is denied
this 19th day of April, 1974.
Hunter, Actis.2 Chief Justice. DeBruler, Justice, dissents.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.