SEP 29, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
HERE IS THE BLOW BY BLOW OF WHAT
MS. KENNEDY
IS GOING TO ASK
THE HONORABLE JUDGE CARVELL
FROM THAT
IGNUMINIOUS
JIM MCRORY
FOR
MCRORY VS MCRORY
1 - EVERYTHING IN JUDGEMENT (FAMILY LAW) AGREEMENT
2 - SAVINGS BOND ? I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS DOCUMENT DURING OUR MARRIAGE
SO WHY WAS IT PUT ON THE JUDGEMENT I DON'T KNOW?
3 - THE DIVORCE
4 - MEDICAL INSURANCE THROUGH CAL PERS FOR ME CAROLINE
E. KENNEDY & MY 2 CHILDREN CLAYTON & AVA MCRORY
5 - SAVINGS BOND ? I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS DOCUMENT DURING OUR
MARRIAGE SO WHY WAS IT PUT ON THE JUDGEMENT I DON'T KNOW?
6 - LIFT THE RESTRAINING ORDER
OF
MAY 13, 2009
PLACED AGAINST ME
BECAUSE
JIM'S
NEW WIFE
FAITH RUSCA MCRORY
MIGHT TRY TO
ENFORCE THE RESTRAINING ORDER THAT HAS HER NAME ON IT
FAITH RUSCA AND MICHEL RUSCA
HER DAUGTHER STARTED THE CHEMCIAL FIRE DEC 2008 THAT
MY DAUGTHER AVA MCRORY & HER BOYFRIEND
WERE VICTIMS OF AND THEIR HEALTH IS IN QUESTION
I NEED A POLICE ESCORT FOR THE FOLLOWING
- FINDING THE TRUCK & GETTING THE TRUCK KEYS
JIM MCRORY & FAITH RUSCA MCRORY BOTH HAVE A COPY OF THE KEY
TO THE TRUCK
FAITH SHOWED OFF THAT SHE HAD A KEY DURING THE SUPERBOWL OF 2009
- SHE GAVE AVA A COPY OF THE KEY TO HER FOR US TO HAVE A NICE MOTHER
& DAUGTHER DAY WITH A TRUCK & INSURANCE IN MY NAME
- EARLIER THAT DAY JIM GAVE AVA THE ORGINAL KEY SO I COULD GO SHOPPING
WITH AVA
- FAITH WAS NOT AT THE HOUSE WHEN I ARRIVED TO PICK UP AVA & THE
TRUCK
- AVA'S BOYFRIEND WAS A WITNESS TO THIS OUTTING
FAITH LIVES AT JIM MCRORY'S HOUSE
OR
SHE CAN BE FOUND AT HER PLACE OF WORK THE ADDRESS CAN BE FOUND
ON THE RESTRAINING ORDER
- CROSSTOWN COFFE
SHOP
ALAMEDA, CA
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FOLLOWING:
I NEED THE PAPERWORK & OFFICER THURMAN TO ESCORT
ME FOR THE FOLLOWING TASKS - OFFICE THURMAN IS A PERSONAL FRIEND
- TO GET INTO HIS CHECKING ACCOUNTS
- THE CHILDREN'S CHECKING ACCOUNTS
- WHERE HE WORKS FOR INSURANCES
- CAL PERS RETIREMENT FUND & HAVE AUTOMATICALLY DEPOSITED INTO MY ACCOUNT
- TO GET AVA REMOVED FROM ACLC SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE RESTRAINING ORDER
- TO GET INTO THE HOUSE AND CLAIM EVERYTHING IN THE JUDGEMENT
AND
ALSO SO JIM'S
NEW WIFE
FAITH RUSCA MCRORY
WON'T TRY TO
ENFORCE THE RESTRAINING ORDER THAT HAS HER NAME ON IT
FAITH RUSCA AND MICHEL RUSCA
ALSO
I HAVE VIOLATIONS I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT AT JIM MCRORY'S NEXT TRIAL
DATE IF THERE IS ONE
HOW MANY CAN I PRESENT AT ONE TIME?
THANK YOU YOUR HONOR
HERE IS MY CONTACT INFORMATION
THE CAUSES FOR THE
OSC
(FAMILY LAW)
FOR
MCRORY YS MCRORY
OCT 31, 2007
SUMMARY
THIS ALL HAS TO DO WITH REFILING PAPER WORK WITH THE COURTS BY
JIM MCRORY IN AN ALL OUT EFFORT TO COVER UP MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE IN THE WORDING WITH HIS ATTORNEY MR. CLINE AND TRYING TO
GET ME TO GO BACK TO WORK AND PAY FOR 1/2 OF THE MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR THE CHILDREN
JIM MCRORY FILED FOR SEPARATION & A RESTRAINING ORDER
THEN I WAS SERVED
JAN 16, 2004
(JIM GAVE ME THE COPY WITHOUT A COURT DATE FOR THE RESTRAINING
ORDER)
COVER UP FACTS
1 - JIM MCRORY FILED A COPY OF VANDERMEER DESIGNS PROFIT
& LOSS STATEMENT WITH THE TAX RETURN FOR 2002 WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE & THE IRS PULLED AN AUDIT
(JIM MCRORY SPLIT THE TAX RETURN OF 2002 & 2003 WITH ME &
NEVER EXPLAINED WHAT THE IRS FINDINGS WERE)
2 -
OSC
(FAMILY LAW)
IN ACTION
AS OF AUG 26, 2009
SEP 5, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
JIM MCRORY DID NOT GIVE THE CORRECT AMOUNT TO ATTORNEYS WHICH LEFT A BALANCE OF
$453.00
I WILL PULL THE BANK STATEMENT TO PROVE JIM DID NOT MAKE A PAYMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING
#1537 5 - 30 - 2008 $1853.55
#1545 6 - 29 - 2008 $1855.49
I WILL SPEND THE $12.00 FOR THESE STATEMENTS!!!!
THIS IS A PAYMENT JIM CLAIMS HE MADE I DON'T REMEMBER DO YOU?

AUG 28, 2009
LIVE FROM
  ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT  


The End of the Innocence - Don Henley
Remember when the days were long And rolled beneath a deep blue sky Didn't have a care
in the world With mommy and daddy standin' by But "happily ever after" fails And
we've been poisoned by these fairy tales The lawyers dwell on small details Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go That's still untouched by men We'll sit and watch the
clouds roll by And the tall grass wave in the wind You can lay your head back on the ground And let your hair fall
all around me Offer up your best defense But this is the end This is the end of the innocence
O beautiful, for spacious skies But now those skies are threatening They're beating plowshares
into swords For this tired old man that we elected king Armchair warriors often fail And we've been poisoned by these
fairy tales The lawyers clean up all details Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go And wash away this sin We'll sit and watch the clouds
roll by And the tall grass wave in the wind Just lay your head back on the ground And let your hair spill all around
me Offer up your best defense But this is the end This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last Now we've come so far, so fast But, somewhere back there
in the dust That same small town in each of us I need to remember this So baby give me just one kiss And let me
take a long last look Before we say goodbye
Just lay your head back on the ground And let your hair fall all around me Offer up your
best defense But this is the end This is the end of the innocence
WALTER CRONKITE
REPORTING ON ZEUS III GOING TO JAIL SEP 29, 2009
ATTORNEY LETTER
SAYING HOW MUCH TO PAY MS KENNEDY
MARITIAL AGREEMENT PAYMENT SCHEUDLE
SHOWING WHEN WHY JIM MCRORY DIDN'T PAY AND WHY HE IS GOING TO JAIL
AND
LIST OF PAYMENTS MADE BY JIM MCRORY = ZEUS III
THAT DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO THE JUDGE OR TO ANY ATTORNEY(S)
AND
SOPHIA OF WISDOM III
AKA
HERA III
   CAROLINE E. KENNEDY CAROLINA KENNEDIA   
AUG 26, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
   DADDY I LOVE YOU   
BREAKING NEWS
FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
ON
MCRORY VS MCRORY
MS KENNEDY'S WAS LATE TO COURT BECAUSE HER RIDE TO THE COURT HOUSE
WAS TOWED AWAY AND I HAD TO GET A RIDE FROM THE MANAGER
SHE WAS 3RD IN LINE TO SEE THE JUDGE
AND
IT WAS A TOPGUN IN 5 SECONDS
OR LESS
MOMENT
SHE ALSO ASKED THE JUDGE
YOUR HONOR MAY I ASK A QUESTION?
AND
HE SAID WHY YES!!!
SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF JIM WILL MAKE THE $1,500.00 PAYMENT FOR SEP 2009 BECAUSE SHE HAS
NO MONEY
HE SAID IT'S UP TO JIM AND THAT'S ALL
THAT'S JUST GREAT!
SHE FIGURED OUT NEXT TIME SHE WILL FAN OUT ALL OF HER REQUESTS
AND
SAY SHE WANTS THIS AND SHE WANTS THAT
SHE CALLED JULIE AND TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED
AND
IS WAITING TO HEAR BACK
ALSO IT WAS NOTED JIM WAS WEARING
A WEDDING RING
AND HIS
NEW WIFE
WAS NOT PRESENT
WHAT A LITTLE FUCKING BITCH
SOME WIFE SHE IS
WE GUESS SHE WAS AT HOME CLEANING THE WALLS WITH HAND SANITIZER BASKING IN
THE BLUE GLOW
BUT MS KENNEDY TOOK ALL THE CHANNKA CANDLES SO WE GUESS SHE HAD TO USE BIRTHDAY CANDLES
INSTEAD
MAKING SURE SHE CAN NEVER HAVE CHILDREN AGAIN
I FEEL SHE KNOWS HER BODY THAN US
WE ALL FEEL SHE IS A SCARED OF MS KENNEDY AND HER
OSC
WHICH I AM SURE BECAUSE HE SAW JIM MCRORY ON THE OSC HE FELT IT WAS AWARDED TO HIM
AND
NOW HE KNOWS
NO OSC FOR YOU!!
WE ONLY WISH WE COULD OF SEEN THE LOOK ON HIS FACE AS THE JUDGE
BITCH SLAPPED
HIM FOR MS KENNEDY
THERE IS A PILLAR BETWEEN THEM
SO JUICY DETAILS CAN NOT BE GIVEN AT THIS TIME
JIM ALSO DID NOT CUT HIS HAIR OR SHAVE AND WEAR A SUIT AND TIE LIKE SUGGESTED
BY THE WAY SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK SO
SHE ASKED
JIM FOR A RIDE HOME JUST TO SEE WHAT HE WOULD SAY
HE SEEEMED LIKE IF HE HAD A GUN OR KNIFE SHE WOULD BE DEAD BY NOW
GUESS OSC DIDN'T WORK FOR THIS SITUATION
BUT
IT SHOULD OF
WALTER CRONKITE
REPORTING LIVE FROM ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
ON
MCRORY VS MCRORY
   KID  
AUG 24, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
    DADDY I LOVE YOU    
HEY!!!
THERE IS A LAW FOR BEING EXTREMELY STUPID
SO SAYS
JUDGE CARVILL
SOPHIA OF WISDOM III
(JUST A PEN NAME EXAMPLE STEPHEN
KING)
AKA
CAROLINE KENNEDY
JIM MCRORY
FAITH RUSCA-MCRORY
AND
MICHAL RUSCA
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BEING ARRESTED
1 - YOU WILL BE FINGERED PRINTED
2 - YOU WILL BE GIVEN A BFN NUMBER
3 - YOU WILL HAVE THE WORST PICTURE YOU HAVE SEEN OF YOURSELF SLAPPED ON YOUR
WRIST
AND
4 - YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE BEING ARRESTED
FOR SOMETHING YOU THINK IS NOT WRONG
MY LICENSE SHOULD BE HERE TODAY BUT I HAVE MY TEMPORARY
    BABYCAKES = = SLAMJACK   
AUG 23, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
&
INTERNATIONAL BEER SUMMIT
    DADDY I LOVE YOU    
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN
MY DUTIES AS
A

LIST OF DUTIES
1 - Informal arguments are studied in informal logic, are presented in ordinary language and are intended for everyday discourse.
2 - Conversely, formal arguments are studied in formal logic (historically called
symbolic logic, more commonly referred to as mathematical logic today) and are expressed in a formal language.
3 - Informal logic may be said to emphasize the study of argumentation, whereas formal logic emphasizes implication and inference. Informal arguments are sometimes implicit.
4 - That is, the logical structure – the relationship of claims, premises,
warrants, relations of implication, and conclusion – is not always spelled out and immediately visible and must
sometimes be made explicit by analysis.
I DO NOT
DO ANY OF THE ABOVE
BUT
JUST LET SOMEONE ELSE BUY ME BEERS & BUM CIRAGRETTES
   CAROLINE KENNEDY  
SELF APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE
OF
INTERNATIONAL BEER SUMMITS
FOR
  THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  

AUG 22, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
    DADDY I LOVE YOU    
WALTER CRONKITE
REPORT ON CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS BESIDES REPORTING ON PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S DEATH
CAROLINE E. VANDERMEER
LIVE FROM AMSTERDAM
LEARNING THE FINE ART OF HAVING
AN
INTERNATIONAL
BEER SUMMIT
SO SHE CAN DO IT
DOMESTICALLY
   CAROLINE KENNEDY  
SELF APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE
OF
INTERNATIONAL BEER SUMMITS
FOR
  THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
DOUGAL C. MACDONALD, ESQ
SMILING NICELY WONDERING WHERE IS HIS NEXT
VODKA FRESCA
JIM MCRORY
AKA
JAMES FUCKIN McSTUPID
LOOKING INNOCENT BUT IS CONDUCTING
BACK DOOR POLITICS
WITH
HIS FINANCEE
OR
HIS NEW WIFE
I THOUGHT OUR MARRIAGE WASN'T FINISHED YET
!!! HE WAS WARNED NOT TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS STUPID WEDDING !!!
SINCE OUR DIVORCE WAS NOT FINAL THEY COULD ONLY HAVE
A
SPRITIUAL WEDDING
I WASN'T TRYING TO RULE HIS WORLD OR ANYTHING
BUT
I GUESS THIS IS JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE WORLD
OF
POLITICS AS USUAL
SEE YA IN COURT YOU STUPID MONKEYS
YOU WERE THE 2 MONKEYS WHO
PAINTED
THE WRONG STRIPES ON THE PIPER DOWN???
JOHN F, KENNEDY, JR, ESQ.
&
FOUNDER
OF
GEORGE
STATING
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AND AFFIDAVIT FOR CONTEMPT
IS
POLITICS AS USUAL
SORRY
I DON'T THINK A BEER SUMMIT WILL WORK
INTERNATIONALLY
OR
DOMESTICALLY
IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE JIM DOESN'T DRINK ANYMORE
AND
FAITH PROBABLY DOES'T DRINK AROUND JIM ANYWAY
   CAROLINE KENNEDY  
SELF APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE
OF
INTERNATIONAL BEER SUMMITS
FOR
  THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
AUG 21, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
    DADDY I LOVE YOU    
WALTER CRONKITE
REPORTING ON CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS BESIDES PRESIDENT KENNEDY DEATH
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
WHERE JUDGE CARVILL IS GOING TO FUCK UP JIM MCRORY
FOR
NOT MAKING THE PRESCIBED PAYMENTS TO FINISH THIS DIVORCE
AND
FOR NOT TURNING OVER THE TRUCK WHEN HE WAS TAKEN OFF THE INSURANCE THAT WAS
IN
MS KENNEDY'S NAME
DOUGAL C. MACDONALD, ESQ
LOOKING AT THE ONE THE ONLY
JIM MCSTUPID
WHO SAID HE WAS GOING TO GET REMARRIED TO SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN
MYTHOLOGY
AND
DENIES IT
JIM MCRORY
AKA
JAMES WILLIAM MCSTUPID
WHO WILL BE GOING HEAD TO HEAD
WITH
DOUGAL C. MACDONALD,ESQ'S
DAUGTHER
WHO HAS AN
OSC
WON BY
JULIE ROSSI, ESQ
ON
AUG 26, 2009
AND
CAROLINE E. KENNEDY
AKA
CAROLINA KENNEDIA
THIS IS MY NAME IN LATIN
AKA
SOPHIA OF WISDOM III
IT'S JUST A PEN NAME
    BABYCAKES = = SLAMJACK   
AUG 14, 2009
LIVE FROM
ALAMEDA SUPERIOR COURT
    12 DAYS AWAY   
      DADDY I LOVE YOU     

HAVE ATM & INSURANCE CARD + DRIVER LICENSE
ALSO HAVE A PERSONAL BANKER
AT US BANK
   BABYCAKES = = SLAMJACK  
HEY GUESS WHAT WHEN I WAS AT THE POOL ONE DAY I SPOKE WITH A LADY WHO LIVES HERE TOO AND IS A NURSE WHO WORKS AT SAN QUENTIN
I ASKED HER IF SOMEONE IS GUILTY OF A CONTEMPT ORDER THAT WHAT PRISON WOULD THEY GO
TOO
SHE SAID SAN QUENTIN
JIM DIDN'T PLAY THE RIGHT WAY ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING
Contempt - General Concepts
A party subject to a valid court order who, with knowledge of the order and the ability
to comply, fails to comply with the terms of the order is subject to a contempt adjudication and statutory contempt penalties
(Ca Civ Pro §§ 1218 & 1219). As an enforcement remedy, exercise of the contempt power enables the court to compel compliance
with its valid orders.
In a "civil contempt," the punishment is "remedial, and for the benefit of the complainant."
In a "criminal contempt," the sentence is "punitive, to vindicate the authority of the court."
The face of the Judicial Council Affidavit for Contempt form expressly states "A contempt
proceeding is criminal in nature" and advises the citee that "the possible penalties
include jail sentence . . ." Consequently, at least one court concludes any contempt proceeding brought on the standard
Judicial Council contempt form is per se a criminal (not a civil or "remedial") contempt matter.
Family law orders and judgments are enforceable by contempt unless punishment by contempt
would violate the constitutional guaranty against imprisonment for nonpayment of "debt" (U.S. Const., Amend. XIII; Ca Const.
Art. I, § 10). However, an order or judgment is not a "debt" within the meaning of the constitutional guaranty against imprisonment
for "debt" simply because it requires the payment of money. As developed below, most (but not all) family law orders and judgments
are deemed based on a law-imposed obligation (not "money judgments in civil actions for debts") and thus are enforceable by
the court's contempt power
Orders Enforceable By Contempt
Support Orders: Child, spousal and family support orders are based on an obligation
arising out of marriage and parentage and are imposed by law. They are not money judgments in civil actions for the payment
of a "debt" within the meaning of the constitutional guaranty against imprisonment for debt and thus clearly are enforceable
by contempt.
Child Custody & Visitation Orders: Child custody and visitation orders do not
impose a "debt" obligation. Thus, e.g., the court may invoke its contempt power against
a parent who unjustifiably interferes with the other parent's court-ordered visitation rights or violates an injunction
restraining relocation with the children.
Attorney Fees/Costs Orders: Need-based attorney fees and costs are awardable by statute
in marital proceedings (Ca Fam §§ 2030/2032). The award is based on a law-imposed obligation (not arising out of a money judgment
for a "debt") and thus is enforceable by contempt.
Property Division Orders: A spouse who refuses to relinquish a specific item of property or to pay over a portion of a specific fund of money
pursuant to a community property division order is subject to enforcement by contempt. The obligation is "law-imposed" (not
a "debt") because based on the parties' statutory right to an equal division of community property upon termination of marital
status (Ca Fam § 2550 et seq.).
Restraining Orders & Family Court Protective Orders: The court may properly invoke
its contempt power to compel compliance with valid protective orders and restraining orders issued in a domestic relations
proceeding. [Ca Penal § 273.6 (misdemeanor penalty for intentional and knowing violation of Ca Fam § 6218 protective orders)]
Failure To Comply With "Declaration Of Disclosure" Requirements: A spouse who has
complied with the statutory "declaration of disclosure" requirements in marriage dissolution proceedings (Ca Fam § 2100 et
seq.) has various statutory remedies against the other spouse who has failed to comply. One such remedy is a motion to compel
a further response (Ca Fam § 2107(b)(1)). If the noncomplying spouse fails to file a sufficient response, the complying spouse
may seek monetary sanctions "in addition to any other remedy provided by law" (Ca Fam § 2107(c))--including an OSC re Contempt]
Orders Enforceable By Contempt
Marital Settlement Agreement Obligations Not Merged Into Judgment: Obligations arising out of a marital settlement agreement are not enforceable as court orders unless "merged" or
incorporated in the judgment. Consequently, breach of a marital settlement agreement (or any other contract) is not remediable
by contempt where the defaulted obligation was never made a part of the judgment.
Marital Debt Liability Orders: An order pursuant to a division of the community estate
requiring a spouse to make specified payments in satisfaction of a community liability is a "debt" not enforceable by contempt
. . . unless the obligation is an integral part of a support order.
Statute Of Limitations
The contempt remedy for noncompliance with a court order made under the Family Code is subject to a
statute of limitations (Ca Civ Pro § 1218.5)
Support Orders: For an alleged failure to pay child, family or spousal support, the
contempt action must be commenced no later than three years from the date the payment was due. [Ca Civ Pro § 1218.5(b)
A contempt cause of action for nonpayment of support may be broken down into separate "counts" for
each month payment was not made in full. Thus, the fact the obligor stopped (or fell short in) payments over three years ago
is not fatal to a contempt remedy: Each month within the three-year period for which payments were in default is separately
punishable as separate counts of contempt. [See Ca Civ Pro § 1218.5(a)]
Other Family Court Orders: A contempt action to enforce any other order made under
the Family Code must be brought within two years "from the time that the alleged contempt occurred." [Ca Civ Pro § 1218.5(b)]
Due Process Protections
If the contempt proceedings are criminal in nature, the U.S. Constitution guarantees the citee the
full panoply of due process safeguards afforded criminal defendants.
Notice Of The Charge: The citee must be formally notified of the charge and of the
time and place for the court hearing on the charge. Service of the notice must be effected in a manner authorized for service
of summons; an OSC re Contempt is not properly served by the more liberal Ca Civ Pro § 1010 et seq. methods for service of
motions or OSCs generally.[Ca Civ Pro § 1016; Ca Fam § 215]
Opportunity To Be Heard: Unlike ordinary motion and OSC proceedings, contempt cannot
be decided on the moving and responding papers alone. The citee is entitled to a formal hearing as a matter of right and must
be allowed to testify, to call and cross-examine witnesses, and to introduce evidence in defense of the charge. [Ca Civ Pro
§ 1217]
Right To Counsel: Contempt citees clearly have a due process right to be represented
by an attorney they have retained for that purpose. Additionally, where the potential penalty includes a jail sentence, an
indigent citee has the due process right to court-appointed counsel at county expense.
Application Of The 5th Amendment: The citee must be afforded the testimonial privileges
of a criminally accused: He or she is entitled to exercise the privilege not to be called as a witness, and can decline to
answer specific questions, claiming the privilege against self-incrimination. These privileges are not waived by filing an
answer to the charging declaration.
Criminal Burden Of Proof: As a general rule, the citee also has the same rights as
a criminally accused to proof of a prima facie contempt case by competent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. The contempt
must be discharged if the charging party fails to carry this burden on each element of the prima facie case.
Right To Jury Trial: The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right
to a jury trial for all "serious" criminal contempts--i.e., when the contempt is punishable by more than six months' imprisonment.
The right to a jury trial under the California constitution is broader: It extends to all criminal
prosecutions above an "infraction." Thus, there is a right to jury trial in criminal contempt proceedings that carry a maximum
penalty comparable to a felony or misdemeanor (six months' imprisonment plus $1,000 fine) regardless of what the Legislature
has labeled the offense.
However, there is no right to jury trial where the court invokes its general summary contempt power
under Ca Civ Pro § 1209 and imposes only a maximum five-day sentence and/or $1,000 fine (Ca Civ Pro § 1218(a)). That punishment
is not akin to a misdemeanor penalty and thus does not trigger the state constitutional jury trial provision.
If the court proceeds to trial on contempt charges without a jury, and the citee has not expressly
waived the right to a jury, the maximum sentence that may be imposed is 180 days (six months). A longer sentence in violation
of the jury trial right will not invalidate the contempt conviction or require retrial by jury; but the court must reduce
the sentence to six months or less.
Double Jeopardy: Constitutional "double jeopardy" protection guarantees that a person
will not be subject to duplicate punishment or duplicate prosecution for the same criminal offense (U.S. Const., 5th Amend;
see also Ca Penal § 1387). Double jeopardy protection fully attaches in a nonsummary criminal contempt prosecution to the
same extent as it does in other prosecutions for a criminal offense.
Initiating Contempt Proceedings
Contempt proceedings to enforce a civil judgment or order are commenced by presenting a prescribed
"charging affidavit" to the court. [Ca Civ Pro § 1211(a)] Based on the affidavit (which recites the facts constituting the
prima facie contempt), the court must then issue and sign an order to show cause directing the alleged contemnor to appear
and be heard on the charge at a specified date and time. [Ca Civ Pro § 1212]
In family law cases, the contempt proceedings must be initiated by filing and serving an FL-410 Order
to Show Cause and Affidavit for Contempt, along with an applicable Affidavit of Facts Constituting Contempt (FL-411 or FL-412).
These forms have been adopted for mandatory use.
The facts constituting the contempt must be alleged by an "affidavit of facts," setting forth the type
of order violated, the date the order was issued, how the order was violated, and when the violation occurred. Jurisdiction
to adjudicate a contempt ordinarily exists only if the charging affidavit alleges evidentiary facts showing a prima facie
case of contempt (as developed below). [Ca Civ Pro § 1211(a)] However, a deficient charging affidavit may be amended at any
stage of the proceeding (Ca Civ Pro § 1211.5(b)). And, if there is no objection to the sufficiency of the charging affidavit,
jurisdiction to adjudicate contempt may be established by facts proved at the contempt hearing (in which case, the court "shall
cause the affidavit or statement to be amended to conform to proof"). [Ca Civ Pro § 1211.5(a)]
Elements Of A Cause Of Action For Contempt:
The facts generally necessary to establish a prima facie contempt of a family law order are: (i) rendition
of a valid order; (ii) the citee's knowledge of the order; and (iii) the citee's willful disobedience of the order.
Valid Order: A contempt adjudication cannot stand if the underlying order is invalid.
The charging affidavit must identify the underlying order by date of entry and type. For purposes of sustaining a prima facie
case, the court can presume validity unless the order is void on its face; the citee thus normally bears the burden of showing
invalidity, either as an affirmative defense in the answer or by motion to discharge the contempt citation.
Knowledge Of The Order: The charging affidavit must set forth facts showing the citee's
notice or knowledge of the underlying order (a jurisdictional prerequisite to a valid contempt adjudication).
Knowledge can be shown by personal service of a copy of the order, the citee's presence in court when
the order was made, the citee's signature on a stipulation upon which the order was based, or proof that the citee previously
sought relief related to the order (e.g., modification).
Order Willfully Disobeyed: To complete a prima facie case of contempt, the charging
party must allege facts showing the citee's willful disobedience of the underlying order.
Support Cases: In making a family law support or attorney fees/costs order, the family court
necessarily must determine the obligor's ability to pay (Ca Fam §§ 4320(c) (spousal support), 4053(c),(d) (child support),
270, 271(a), 2030(a) (attorney fees and costs)). Since the court has already determined the obligor/citee's ability to pay
the underlying order, present ability to pay is not an element of a prima facie contempt case predicated on nonpayment. Rather,
inability to pay is an affirmative defense that must be proved by the citee.
Custody/Visitation Cases: A custodial parent can be held in contempt of a visitation order only
when he or she has sufficient control over the child so as to have the ability to make the child available for visitation.
This is a fact question in each case. A parent probably has sufficient control over minor children of "tender years" to compel
them to visit with the other parent; failure to make such children available for visitation probably would be punishable as
contempt. But the result may be otherwise when the children get older and it becomes more difficult to exert parental "control."
If a teenage child refuses to visit with the noncustodial parent, through no fault of the custodial parent, the custodial
parent lacks the ability to comply with the order and cannot be held in contempt; in these cases, the noncustodial parent
is probably left without a remedy.
Filing And Service
Filing With Court Clerk: The completed OSC
and affidavit form(s) are taken to the court clerk, who will obtain the judge's signature on the OSC and then file the papers.
Personal Service Required: Conformed copies of the charging affidavit and OSC must
be served on the citee at least 21 calendar days before the hearing (Ca Civ Pro § 1005(b)). The citee must be served personally, in a manner authorized for service of summons. Service on the citee's
attorney will not suffice in a contempt proceeding. [Ca Civ Pro §§ 1015, 1016; see also Ca Fam § 215 (postjudgment proceedings)]
Exception Were Citee Conceals Him/Herself: "Substitute service" on the citee's attorney of record
might suffice where the citee has concealed himself or herself to avoid service of the contempt papers. [Shibley v. Super.Ct.
(1927) 202 Cal. 738, 742-743, 262 P 332, 334; see also Cedars-Sinai Imaging Med. Group v. Super.Ct. (Moore), supra, 83 Cal.App.4th
at 1286, 100 Cal.Rptr.2d at 324--personal service on citee required "(u)nless the citee has concealed himself from the court"]
However, a charging party seeking to invoke this exception to personal service must provide the court with evidentiary facts
showing reasonable efforts to ascertain the citee's whereabouts and the efforts taken to attempt service on the citee.
Responding To The Charge
The citee may answer the charge, admitting or denying it, or may move for a discharge without answering.
In response to the contempt charge, and before the hearing, the citee can file an opposing affidavit
(declaration under penalty of perjury; Ca Civ Pro § 2015.5), questioning the adequacy of the moving party's charging affidavit
or raising a sufficient "excuse or justification" in defense. The opposing affidavit together with the charging affidavit
frame the issues to be tried in the proceeding.
Common Defenses: Contempt charges are commonly defended on the ground that any failure
to comply with the underlying order was not "wilful" because the citee lacked the ability to comply. The citee does not meet
this burden, however, with conclusory declarations. He or she must set forth evidentiary facts showing why complete performance
was impossible. Moreover, default under the order will not be excused if the responding allegations disclose that the inability
to comply was self-imposed for the purpose of avoiding compliance.
Note also that disobedience of a lawful court order is not excused
by the fact the citee was acting on advice of counsel. Moreover, attorneys who encourage such defiance can be held in contempt
themselves for their own recalcitrant conduct. THIS IS FAITH RUSCH - FORD
Motion For Discharge: In lieu of an answer, the citee can move for a discharge of
the contempt citation on the following grounds:
- The charging affidavit does not make out a prima facie case of contempt.
- The order expired before the alleged violation. (But if the order was in effect at the time of the
violation, discharge will not be granted simply because it has expired or been superseded at the time of the contempt proceedings)
- The same charge was previously made on the same facts and the citee was discharged on the merits.
The Hearing
Appearance At The Hearing: Normally, either the citee or his or her attorney must
appear at the hearing; and, if neither appears, a bench warrant can issue to secure their presence. But it is error for the
court to proceed in the absence of the alleged contemnor or his or her attorney, unless it finds the OSC and Affidavit for
Contempt forms were validly served and the failure to appear was voluntary. [Ca Civ Pro § 1217]
Admissable Evidence: The charging and opposing affidavits are hearsay and thus inadmissible
over objection. [Ca Evid §§ 1200(a),(b)]
Contempt Penalties
The penalties upon a contempt adjudication are prescribed by Ca Civ Pro §§ 1218 and 1219.
Mandatory Community Service Or Imprisonment: Upon a contempt adjudication for failure
to comply with a court order made under the Family Code, the court "shall order" community service and/or imprisonment as
prescribed by Ca Civ Pro § 1218(c).
First Contempt: Upon a first finding of contempt, the contemnor must be ordered to perform community
service of up to 120 hours, or to be imprisoned up to 120 hours (five days), for each count of contempt. [Ca Civ Pro § 1218(c)(1)]
Second Contempt: Upon a second finding of contempt, the contemnor must be ordered to perform
up to 120 hours of community service, in addition to imprisonment of up to 120 hours (five days), for each count of contempt.
[Ca Civ Pro § 1218(c)(2)]
Third Contempt: Upon the third or any subsequent finding of contempt, the contemnor must be
imprisoned for up to 240 hours (10 days) and be ordered to perform up to 240 hours of community service, for each count of
contempt. [Ca Civ Pro § 1218(c)(3)(A)]
The contemnor must also be ordered to pay an "administrative fee," not exceeding the "actual cost"
of the contemnor's administration and supervision, while assigned to a community service program. [Ca Civ Pro § 1218(c)(3)(B)]
Calculating "Counts" Of Contempt In Support Nonpayment Cases: With regard to child, family or
spousal support contempts, each month in which there was a default may be alleged as a separate count of contempt and punishment
imposed for each count proved. [Ca Civ Pro § 1218.5(a)]
Read together with § 1218(c), above, this provision means that each count alleged in one charging affidavit
may result in one "finding of contempt"; but that the specified community service and imprisonment penalties may be aggregated
for each of the counts proved.
Example: One charging affidavit alleges five months' default in support payments, each as a
separate count. If the citee has not yet been adjudicated in contempt of a Family Code order, proof of each count in a single
proceeding will amount to a "first finding of contempt" under § 1218(c)(1); but the citee may be ordered to perform up to
600 hours of community service or be imprisoned for up to 600 hours (25 days).
Attorney Fees And Costs: In addition to the fine, community service and imprisonment
penalties discussed above, a party (or party's agent) found in contempt for violating a court order "may" be ordered to pay
the charging party's reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in connection with the contempt proceeding. [Ca Civ Pro §
1218(a)]
Fees & Costs:
Attorney Fees: |
$250 per hour with a minimum fee varying with the size and complexity of the case. |
Costs: |
Initial filing fee approximately $40. Other fees which may or not be necessary in your particular
case are: motion fees, fees for service of process, deposition fees. | .
SEE LINK FOR BACKUP INFO http://www.kinseylaw.com/clientserv2/famlawservices/enforce/contempt/contempt.html
BIG DADDY - DOUGAL C. MACDONALD, ESQ.
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