in Re Contempt of Paterson ( 2017 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In re Contempt of ANDREW A. PATERSON.
CITIZENS UNITED AGAINST CORRUPT UNPUBLISHED
GOVERNMENT and ROBERT DAVIS, May 9, 2017
Plaintiffs,
v No. 331359
Ingham Circuit Court
STATE OF MICHIGAN, GOVERNOR, LC No. 13-001195-AW
DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE, and
BOARD OF CANVASSERS,
Defendants,
and
NEW ENERGY TO REINVENT AND
DIVERSIFY FUND, also known as NERD FUND,
RICHARD BAIRD, and MAYOR OF DETROIT,
Defendants-Appellees,
and
ANDREW A. PATERSON,
Appellant.
Before: O’BRIEN, P.J., and SERVITTO and STEPHENS, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Andrew A. Paterson, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the underlying litigation
related to this appeal, appeals the circuit court’s order finding him in criminal contempt of court.
-1-
For the reasons set forth below, we vacate the circuit court’s order finding him in criminal
contempt of court and remand this matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.1
While a trial court’s decision to hold an individual in contempt of court is generally
reviewed for an abuse of discretion, see, e.g., In re Contempt of Henry, 282 Mich App 656, 671;
765 NW2d 44 (2009), unpreserved procedural arguments, including those having constitutional
implications, are reviewed under the plain error rule, People v Carines, 460 Mich 750, 763; 597
NW2d 130 (1999). “To avoid forfeiture under the plain error rule, three requirements must be
met: 1) error must have occurred, 2) the error was plain, i.e., clear or obvious, 3) and the plain
error affected substantial rights.” Id. “Finally, once a defendant satisfies these three
requirements, an appellate court must exercise its discretion in deciding whether forfeited error
resulted in the conviction of an actually innocent defendant or when an error seriously affect[ed]
the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings independent of the defendant’s
innocence.” Id.“No person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” In
re Contempt of Henry, 282 Mich App at 669. Actions for civil contempt and actions for criminal
contempt are distinct actions. A person accused of civil contempt is only entitled to
“rudimentary due process, i.e., notice and an opportunity to present a defense[.]” Porter v
Porter, 285 Mich App 450, 456-457; 776 NW2d 377 (2009). A person accused of criminal
contempt, however, is accused of a crime. Id. at 455. Consequently, he or she is entitled to
“some of the due process safeguards of an ordinary criminal trial.” Id. at 456. These safeguards
include the right to be informed of the nature of the charge, the right to be informed as to
whether the contempt proceedings are civil or criminal, an adequate opportunity to prepare a
defense, an opportunity to secure the assistance of counsel, the right to produce witnesses, the
right against self-incrimination, and the right to have the charge proved beyond a reasonable
doubt. DeGeorge v Warheit, 276 Mich App 587, 592; 741 NW2d 384 (2007).
It is quite apparent, at least in our view, that the trial court plainly erred by violating
some, if not all, of these due process safeguards. Stated simply, Paterson was never informed
that he was subject to criminal, as opposed to civil, contempt until the trial court found him in
criminal contempt. Furthermore, we are of the view that Paterson was prejudiced by this plain
error. The prejudice prong of the plain error test “generally requires a showing of prejudice, i.e.,
that the error affected the outcome of the lower court proceedings.” Carines, 460 Mich at 763.
Here, the complete lack of notice with respect to the possibility of criminal contempt, the
complete lack of a meaningful opportunity to defend himself, and the complete lack of access to
counsel did affect the outcome of the lower court proceedings. The record reveals that the trial
court found defendant in contempt of court in an effort to induce compliance with its earlier
order to pay sanctions. Consequently, civil contempt, not criminal contempt, was appropriate,
and it is our view that had defendant been afforded the safeguards discussed above, the outcome
1
While Paterson is, arguably, not an aggrieved party for purposes of MCL 7.203, we
nevertheless choose to address his appeal on the merits as a granted application for leave to
appeal. Wardell v Hincka, 297 Mich App 127, 133 n 1; 822 NW2d 278 (2012).
-2-
of the lower-court proceedings could have been changed to reflect that difference, which is a
major difference in light of the fact that appellant is an attorney. Additionally, such blatant
constitutional violations in a criminal contempt proceeding do affect the fairness, integrity, and
public reputation of the judicial proceedings. At a minimum, Paterson’s constitutional rights to
notice, to present a defense, and to counsel were all violated during these brief proceedings. To
the extent it is argued that these violations are irrelevant because Paterson admitted his failure to
comply with the circuit court’s previous order, it is important that we not forget that this
admission was in violation of his constitutional right against self-incrimination, yet another
constitutional violation that took place during these proceedings. We therefore conclude that a
plain error affecting substantial rights occurred, and that this plain error requires reversal under
the facts and circumstances of this case.2
Accordingly, we vacate the circuit court’s order finding Paterson in criminal contempt of
court and remand for further proceedings. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Colleen A. O'Brien
/s/ Deborah A. Servitto
/s/ Cynthia Diane Stephens
2
We also reject any argument that Paterson waived these constitutional rights before the circuit
court. Waiver requires an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right, People v
Carter, 462 Mich 206, 215; 612 NW2d 144 (2000), and, because he was unaware of the fact that
the proceedings against him were criminal in nature, it cannot be said that Paterson intentional
relinquished or abandoned a known right.
-3-