John Hartsoe v. C.B. McNeil

Oct 9, 2012
DA 12-0141
Versions:286 P.3d 1211
366 Mont. 335
2012 MT 221
2012 WL 4794364
2012 Mont. LEXIS 302

CHIEF JUSTICE McGRATH delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶1 John Hartsoe appeals from the District Court‘s dismissal of his complaint against Hon. C. B. McNeil (McNeil). We affirm.

PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

¶2 Hartsoe filed a civil action against McNeil, seeking damages for McNeil‘s acts or omissions while acting as a Montana District Court Judge and presiding over a telephone pretrial conference in a civil action then pending before him, Heisel v. Hartsoe, No. DV-10-353, Montana Twentieth Judicial District Court. Hartsoe alleged in his complaint that he was suing Judge McNeil for actions taken “in his official duty,” including using vulgar language, failing to accomplish any results at the conference, and not having a reporter to record the proceeding. At all relevant times McNeil was acting in his official capacity as a Montana District Court Judge with regard to that case and the pretrial conference.

¶3 McNeil appeared in the present action and moved to dismiss on the grounds of judicial immunity. Hartsoe did not respond to the motion. The District Court granted the motion to dismiss, with prejudice.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

¶4 This Court reviews de novo a district court‘s decision on a motion to dismiss. Grizzly Sec. Armored Express v. The Armored Grp., 2011 MT 128, ¶ 11, 360 Mont. 517, 255 P.2d 143.

DISCUSSION

¶5 Judges are immune from suit for damages arising out of the lawful discharge of their official duties. Section 2-9-112(2), MCA. Judicial immunity applies with no stated limitation, Silverstone v. Park Co., 2007 MT 261, ¶ 14, 339 Mont. 299, 170 P.3d 950, and judges are absolutely immune from suit for civil damages for acts performed in their judicial capacities. Steele v. McGregor, 1998 MT 85, ¶ 16, 288 Mont. 238, 956 P.2d 1364. Judicial immunity is a public policy designed to safeguard principles of independent decision making. Mead v. McKittrick, 223 Mont. 428, 430, 727 P.2d 517, 519 (1984). The principles of judicial immunity are well established in the United States. Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U. S. 349, 98 S. Ct. 1099 (1978).

¶6 Hartsoe plead in his complaint that Judge McNeil was acting “in his official duty” with regard to this case. The acts that Hartsoe complains of occurred while Judge McNeil was conducting a pretrial conference in a pending case. This is clearly within the authority and responsibility of a district court judge. Therefore there can be no question that Judge McNeil is immune from suit and that the District Court properly dismissed Hartsoe‘s complaint.

¶7 Hartsoe raises numerous issues and contentions in his appeal which he did not raise below and which, in any event, do not affect the clear conclusion that Judge McNeil is entitled to judicial immunity from suit.

¶8 Affirmed.

JUSTICES COTTER, RICE, WHEAT and MORRIS concur.

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