231 So. 2d 20 | Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | 1970
Lead Opinion
The only question raised by the Burtons, appellants, on this appeal is whether the trial Court erred in entering judgment in favor of Mrs. Walker, appellee, without first affording the Burtons an opportunity to present their case.
Mrs. Walker filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the lower Court seeking to obtain custody of her three-year old child born out of wedlock. She alleged that she placed the child in the custody of the Burtons on a tentative arrangement with the understanding that she could take the child back into her custody on simple demand; that she had made demand and the child was being unlawfully restrained by the respondents; and that it was in the best interest of the child that she be returned to Mrs. Walker, the mother.
The Burtons filed their return in which it was alleged that Alfonso Burton is the father of the child; that petitioner had abandoned the child with Alfonso; and that it would be to the best interest of the child that it remain with Alfonso and his parents.
Hearing was held in the matter on December 10, 1968, and Mrs. Walker called Alfonso Burton as an adverse witness. She and her husband also testified. At the close of Mrs. Walker’s case, the trial Judge announced that he would have an investigation made by the local welfare department and by the welfare department in Pennsylvania where Mrs. Walker and her husband were living, which would take two or three months.
The Burtons’ attorney stated that he proposed to show that the mother categorically abandoned the child and that he would present testimony as to the environment the child had lived in with the Bur-tons. The Chancellor said that it was too late that evening, and after discussion, stated: “All right, gentlemen, get a date for the taking of further testimony.”
No further testimony was taken, and approximately four months later on April IS, 1969, judgment was entered granting custody of the child to Mrs. Walker.
The Burtons’ attorney filed an affidavit, the pertinent portion of which is:
“2. That after the conclusion of the Hearing held herein on December 10, 1968, in a discussion among affiant, opposing counsel and the Court, it was agreed that, upon receipt by the Court of the Pennsylvania Welfare Report, the Court would set a time and date for the taking of additional testimony in the captioned cause to allow Respondents to be heard and would advise counsel thereof.
3. That the next word received by af-fiant was that the Court had entered Final Judgment in favor of Petitioner.”
The record before us does not reflect whether the reports of the State Welfare Departments were filed in evidence or considered by the trial Judge. See McGuire v. McGuire, Fla.App., 140 So.2d 3S4.
The essential elements of due process of law are notice, an opportunity to be heard, and an opportunity to defend in an orderly proceeding before a tribunal having jurisdiction of the cause. State ex rel. Munch v. Davis, 1940, 143 Fla. 236, 196 So. 491; Atkins v. State, 1939, 136 Fla. S96, 187 So. 363; Southern Realty & Utilities Corporation v. State ex rel. Goldner, Fla.App. 1966, 181 So.2d 552; State ex rel.
In the case sub judice appellants were not afforded an opportunity to be heard • before judgment was rendered against them. Therefore the hearing did not afford full due process of law to the Burtons.
The final judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings.
Reversed.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting).
Instead of filing a motion for rehearing pursuant to Rule 1.530, F.R.C.P., 31 F.S.A., within ten days after the entry of the judgment appealed from, or even after ten days under Rule 1.540(b) (1), the appellant’s counsel, who was, I agree, entitled to proceed with the appellant’s witnesses, took this appeal. In support of his position here, after taking this appeal, he filed in the trial court and directed the clerk to include in the record-on-appeal an affidavit stating that the trial judge had told counsel that the court would set a date for taking of further testimony. I find no authority in F.A.R. 3.6, 32 F.S.A., or elsewhere for the reception in an appellate court of such an affidavit, and I think it erosive of sound judicial procedure to consider it. The able trial judge who heard this case would doubtless have allowed the reception of further testimony if the request had been made in the appropriate court. There is a provision in the appellate rules for the submission of affidavits in support of motions. F.A.R. 3.9, subd. g, but I would not consider on the merits anything except the record in the trial court, which indicates that the judge expected counsel to set the matter for further proceedings. The hearing was held December 10, 1968. The judgment was entered April 15, 1969. No motions were filed in the meantime or thereafter. The record properly before us supports the judgment.
I would affirm without prejudice to the filing of a proper motion under F.R.C.P. 1.540(b) (1) or, at least, submit the matter of the record to the trial judge under F.A. R. 3.6, subd. I so that it may be corrected or completed. In view of the time limitation in F.R.C.P. 1.540(b) the former seems the better procedure.
