{ "id": 8550199, "name": "IN RE: NORTHWESTERN BONDING CO., INC., WILLIAM H. DAYTON, AMERICAN BONDING CO., INC., JACK E. MORGAN and GROVER CLEVELAND MOONEYHAM (Appellant)", "name_abbreviation": "In re Northwestern Bonding Co.", "decision_date": "1972-10-25", "docket_number": "No. 7228SC572", "first_page": "272", "last_page": "278", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "16 N.C. App. 272" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "93 S.E. 847", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1917, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "848-49" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "174 N.C. 345", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11253824 ], "year": 1917, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "348" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/174/0345-01" ] }, { "cite": "65 N.C. 353", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 1955505 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/65/0353-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 N.C. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11276478 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/66/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 N.C. 23", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8682554 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/89/0023-01" ] }, { "cite": "40 S.E. 311", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "129 N.C. 481", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661488 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/129/0481-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 S.E. 957", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 N.C. 95", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652189 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0095-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 N.E. 877", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "year": 1916, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "224 Mass. 169", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 44313 ], "year": 1916, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/224/0169-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 S.E. 2d 897", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "222 N.C. 441", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630914 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0441-01" ] }, { "cite": "147 S.E. 2d 922", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "267 N.C. 204", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8558839 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/267/0204-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 A.L.R. 671", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "228 Ala. 113", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ala.", "case_ids": [ 5712649 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ala/228/0113-01" ] }, { "cite": "11 Tex. L.Rev. 28", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Tex. L. Rev.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "45 Harv. L.Rev. 737", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Harv. L. Rev.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "14 N.C.L. Rev. 374", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "N.C. L. Rev.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "175 S.E. 498", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "206 N.C. 923", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8633650 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/206/0923-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 S.E. 392", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "209 N.C. 320", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2221397 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/209/0320-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 U.S. 265", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3499860 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/107/0265-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 S.E. 2d 786", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "254 N.C. 301", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625945 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/254/0301-01" ] }, { "cite": "195 S.E. 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "213 N.C. 45", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626411 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/213/0045-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 S.E. 382", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "204 N.C. 48", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8611014 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/204/0048-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 S.E. 110", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "200 N.C. 630", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625070 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/200/0630-01" ] }, { "cite": "193 S.E. 134", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 N.C. 189", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8602954 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/212/0189-01" ] }, { "cite": "103 S.E. 2d 807", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "248 N.C. 517", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624572 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/248/0517-01" ] }, { "cite": "91 S.E. 2d 231", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "243 N.C. 479", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625792 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/243/0479-01" ] }, { "cite": "126 S.E. 2d 581", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "588-589" }, { "page": "589" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "257 N.C. 534", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8569075 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/257/0534-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 774, "char_count": 16031, "ocr_confidence": 0.55, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.479586259681754e-07, "percentile": 0.960360430279912 }, "sha256": "a5ccc897b52f9d5b56b8d7901b4e89d68555c7b29de0ffca127029bbcf43f4ed", "simhash": "1:e787b43281193172", "word_count": 2740 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:27:31.279819+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges Parker and Vaughn concur." ], "parties": [ "IN RE: NORTHWESTERN BONDING CO., INC., WILLIAM H. DAYTON, AMERICAN BONDING CO., INC., JACK E. MORGAN and GROVER CLEVELAND MOONEYHAM (Appellant)" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "GRAHAM, Judge.\nThe order appealed from is interlocutory, and in our opinion, it is not subject to appeal before trial and final judgment. G.S. 1-277; Rule 4, Rules of Practice in the Court of Appeals as amended 20 January 1971. We nevertheless elect to treat the appeal as a petition for certiorari, allow it and consider the questions raised on their merits.\nAppellant contends the Superior Court has no subject matter jurisdiction. In support of this contention he argues that authority to discipline or disbar attorneys for conduct such as alleged in the complaint has been delegated exclusively to the North Carolina State Bar. This contention cannot be sustained.\nIt is true that by virtue of G.S. 84-28 to 32, questions relating to the propriety and ethics of an attorney are ordinarily for the consideration of the North Carolina State Bar. In re Burton, 257 N.C. 534, 126 S.E. 2d 581; McMichael v. Proctor, 243 N.C. 479, 91 S.E. 2d 231. G.S. 84-36 specifically provides, however, that the provisions of these statutes are not to be construed as disabling or abridging the inherent powers of a court to deal with its attorneys. Furthermore, it has been held repeatedly that in North Carolina there are two methods by which disciplinary action or disbarment may be imposed upon attorneys \u2014 statutory and judicial. In re Burton, supra; In re Gilliland, 248 N.C. 517, 103 S.E. 2d 807; In re West, 212 N.C. 189, 193 S.E. 134; Committee on Grievances of Bar Association v. Strickland, 200 N.C. 630, 158 S.E. 110; In re Stiers, 204 N.C. 48, 167 S.E. 382. The judicial method is not dependent upon statutory authority. It arises because of a court\u2019s inherent authority to take disciplinary action against attorneys licensed before it; an authority which extends even to matters which are not pending in the particular court exercising the authority. This power is based upon the relationship of the attorney to the court and the authority which the court has over its own officers to prevent them from, or punish them for, acts of dishonesty or impropriety calculated to bring contempt upon the administration of justice. In re Burton, supra; State v. Spivey, 213 N.C. 45, 195 S.E. 1.\nAppellant next challenges the sufficiency of the complaint, contending that the facts alleged therein do not charge him with any act which would subject him to discipline or disbarment. Misconduct of a serious nature is so manifest from the allegations in the complaint that this contention may be rejected without discussion.\nAppellant\u2019s final contention is that the court erred in denying his motion for a jury trial. This raises a more difficult question. Appellant cites the case of State v. Parrish, 254 N.C. 301, 118 S.E. 2d 786, for the proposition that a license to engage in the practice of law is a property right that cannot be taken away without due process of law. There can be no argument as to this principle. Ex parte Wall, 107 U.S. 265, 2 S.Ct. 569, 27 L.Ed. 552; In re Burton, supra; In re West, supra. The essential question, however, is whether \u201cdue process\u201d in an action of this sort encompasses a right to a trial by jury. If the action were based on the statutory procedure, the answer would be \u201cyes\u201d because G.S. 84-28 expressly grants a right to trial by jury, upon appeal from the council of the Bar, on the written evidence of the issues of fact arising on the pleadings. In re Gilliland, supra. The procedure employed here, however, is not statutory. It is judicial, and we find no statute which provides for a jury trial when the judicial method is employed to seek disciplinary action against an attorney practicing in this State.\nWhile the question here involved has apparently never been precisely presented to our Supreme Court, in the case of In re Burton, supra, the court discussed at length the due process requirements of both the statutory and judicial methods. It is pointed out in that opinion that under the statutory method there must be a written complaint, notice to the accused, an opportunity to answer and to be represented by counsel, a hearing before a committee conducting proceedings in the nature of a reference, and a trial by jury unless waived. Under the judicial method, it is said that \u201cwhere the attorney pleads guilty or is convicted in another court, or the conduct complained of is not related to litigation pending before the court investigating attorneys\u2019 alleged misconduct, the procedure, to meet the test of due process, must be initiated by a sworn written complaint, and the court should issue a rule or order advising the attorney of the specific charges, directing him to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken, and granting a reasonable time for answering and preparation of defense, and attorney should be given full opportunity to be heard and permitted to have counsel for his defense.\u201d In re Burton, supra at 544, 126 S.E. 2d at 588-589. We think it is significant that, in outlining the due process elements of the judicial method, the court did not mention a right to trial by jury. On the other hand, it stated that \u201c [wjhere issues of fact are raised the court may appoint a committee to investigate and make report.\u201d In re Burton, supra at 544, 126 S.E. 2d at 589. Several cases are cited where no jury trial was afforded and an investigative committee was utilized. Attorney General v. Gorson, 209 N.C. 320, 188 S.E. 392; Attorney General v. Winburn, 206 N.C. 923, 175 S.E. 498; In re Stiers, supra; Committee on Grievances of Bar Association v. Strickland, supra.\nIt is almost universally held that in the absence of a statute so providing, procedural due process does not require that an attorney have a jury trial in a disciplinary or disbarment proceeding. See 7 Am. Jur. 2d, Attorneys at Law, \u00a7 63, and cases cited. Traditionally, only a small minority of states have provided for a jury trial in any type of disbarment proceeding. 14 N.C.L. Rev. 374; 45 Harv. L.Rev. 737; 11 Tex. L.Rev. 28. See also Ex parte Thompson, 228 Ala. 113, 152 So. 229, 107 A.L.R. 671, which extensively reviews the position of the various states with respect to affording jury trials in proceedings of this nature.\nA disbarment proceeding is usually considered civil in nature rather than criminal. In re Gilliland, supra; In re West, supra. Appellant contends that Article 1, Section 25 of the North Carolina Constitution applies here as in other civil proceedings. This section provides: \u201cRight of jury trial in civil eases. In all controversies at law respecting property, the ancient mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of the rights of the people, and shall remain sacred and inviolable.\u201d However, the right to jury trial preserved under this section applies only in cases in which the prerogative existed at common law or by statute at the time the Constitution was adopted. In re Wallace, 267 N.C. 204, 147 S.E. 2d 922; Belk\u2019s Department Store, Inc. v. Guilford County; 222 N.C. 441, 23 S.E. 2d 897.\nAn attorney had no right at common law to trial by jury when called upon by a court to answer allegations of misconduct bearing upon his fitness as an officer of the court. Ex parte Wall, supra; Ex parte Thompson, supra; In re Carver, 224 Mass. 169, 112 N.E. 877 (1916). As stated in the case of Ex parte Wall, supra, \u201c[i]t is a mistaken idea that due process of law requires a plenary suit and a trial by jury, in all cases where property or personal rights are involved.\u201d In that case the Supreme Court of the United States refused a disbarred attorney\u2019s petition which sought to have the order of his disbarment vacated. The attorney, who had been convicted of no offense, was not afforded a trial by jury on the factual issues raised by a trial court\u2019s charge that he did \u201cengage in and with an unlawful, tumultuous and riotous gathering, he advising and encouraging thereto, take from the jail . . . and hang by the neck until he was dead, one John. ...\u201d The Supreme Court reviewed extensively the procedures followed at common law and in the various states and concluded that \u201cin the present case, due notice was given to the petitioner, and a trial and hearing was had before the court, in the manner in which proceedings against attorneys, when the question is whether they should be struck off the roll, are always conducted.\u201d\nWe find no evidence that a right to trial by jury in a case of this nature existed by statute in this State at the time our Constitution was adopted. In 1871 a statute was enacted which provided: \u201cThat no person who shall have been duly licensed to practice law as an attorney, shall be debarred or deprived of his license and right so to practice law either permanently or temporarily, unless he shall have been convicted or in open court confessed himself guilty of some criminal offense, showing him to be unfit to be trusted in the discharge of the duties of his profession.\u201d Ch. 216, \u00a7 4, [1871], Public Laws of N. C. 336 at 337. This statute was subsequently held to take from the court the common law power to purge the bar of unfit members, except in the eases specified. See Ex parte McCown, 139 N.C. 95, 51 S.E. 957; In re Gorham, 129 N.C. 481, 40 S.E. 311; In re Oldham, 89 N.C. 23; Kane v. Haywood, 66 N.C. 1; Ex parte Schenck, 65 N.C. 353. The effect of the statute, as construed in these cases, was to deprive a court of the authority to disbar an attorney unless he was convicted by a jury or confessed in open court when charged in a bill of indictment. This statute was repealed in 1933. Before its repeal, the Supreme Court noted that the statute \u201cwas not intended to restrict the right to disbar in cases calling for disbarment which was not imposed under the power to punish for contempt. There has been some confusion in not distinguishing between disbarment for contempt, which was restricted by the statute, and disbarment on account of the misconduct of counsel in matters affecting his fitness to be a member of the bar.\u201d McLean v. Johnson, 174 N.C. 345, 348, 93 S.E. 847, 848-49 (1917).\nWe conclude that this State has never had a statute which expressly conferred upon an attorney the right to a trial by jury in a judicial disciplining or disbarment proceeding. Since no such right existed at common law, or by statute at the time our Constitution was adopted, and is not now provided for by statute, we hold that appellant\u2019s motion for a trial by jury was properly denied.\nAffirmed.\nJudges Parker and Vaughn concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "GRAHAM, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney General Morgan by Assistant Attorney General Rich for the State.", "Uzzell and DuMont by Harry DuMont for respondent appellant, Grover Cleveland Mooneyham." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "IN RE: NORTHWESTERN BONDING CO., INC., WILLIAM H. DAYTON, AMERICAN BONDING CO., INC., JACK E. MORGAN and GROVER CLEVELAND MOONEYHAM (Appellant)\nNo. 7228SC572\n(Filed 25 October 1972)\n1. Appeal and Error \u00a7 6\u2014 denial of motion to dismiss \u2014 denial of motion for jury trial \u2014 interlocutory order\nAn order denying a motion to dismiss a complaint seeking disciplinary action against an attorney and denying a request for a jury trial is interlocutory and not subject to appeal before trial and final judgment. G.S. 1-277.\n2. Attorney and Client \u00a7 10\u2014 discipline and disbarment of attorneys \u2014 statutory and judicial methods\nIn North Carolina there are two methods by which disciplinary action or disbarment may be imposed upon attorneys \u2014 statutory and judicial; the judicial method is not dependent upon statutory authority, but arises because of a court\u2019s inherent authority to take disciplinary action against attorneys licensed before it, an authority extending even to matters not pending in the particular court exercising the authority.\n3. Attorney and Client \u00a7 10\u2014 discipline or disbarment of attorney \u2014 sufficiency of complaint\nComplaint alleged sufficient facts to subject an attorney to disciplinary action or disbarment where it alleged that the attorney and a bondsman told a person charged with drunken driving that his license could be saved for $1,000, that the accused paid that amount to the attorney and the attorney told him he had \u201cbeen tried and found not guilty,\u201d that prior to the trial date the warrant, bond and shuck file relating to the drunken driving case disappeared from the clerk\u2019s office, that a new warrant was issued and the accused was tried under that warrant, that the bondsman returned $1,000 to the accused before the trial and a new bond was made without charge, and that the attorney appeared for the accused in the trial without charge.\n4. Attorney and Client \u00a7 10\u2014 disciplinary and disbarment proceeding \u2014 judicial method \u2014 jury trial\nAn attorney does not have the right to a trial by jury in a judicial disciplinary or disbarment proceeding.\nAppeal by respondent, Grover C. Mooneyham, from Martin (Harry C.), Judge, 22 May 1972 Session of Superior Court held in Buncombe County.\nCivil action seeking, among other things, disciplinary action against respondent, Grover C. Mooneyham, as an attorney licensed to practice in this State.\nOn 1 May 1972 the solicitor for the 28th Solicitorial District filed a sworn complaint in the Superior Court of Buncombe County. The first of two counts in the complaint alleges in substance the following:\nOn 13 January 1971, Edgar Ernest Bell was arrested in Buncombe County and charged with violating G.S. 20-138 (operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor). He was cited to appear in District Court for trial on 1 February 1971 and his bond in the sum of $300.00 was made by Northwestern Bonding Co., Inc. Bell told Jack Morgan, an agent of Northwestern, that he wished to forfeit his bond and paid Morgan $300.00 \u201cin addition to $60 which Morgan said represented an attorney\u2019s fee in the forfeiture proceedings.\u201d Morgan later sent word to Bell that he thought he knew a way to save Bell\u2019s driver\u2019s license. The two men then met with respondent Mooneyham, a licensed attorney, in Mooneyham\u2019s office. Mooneyham and Morgan advised Bell that his license could be saved for approximately $1,000.00, with the $300.00 which had been paid previously being credited against that amount. On 30 January 1971, Bell paid $700.00 to Mooneyham, and told Mooneyham that he did not want a capias issued for him. Mooneyham replied: \u201c[Y]ou have been tried and found not guilty.\u201d Prior to the trial date, the warrant, bond, and shuck file relating to the case against Bell disappeared. The clerk\u2019s office, not having given the case a number, has no index record of the original case. When the arresting officer discovered that the clerk\u2019s office had no record of the case, a new warrant was issued and Bell was tried under the new warrant on 14 February 1972. Morgan returned $1,000.00 to Bell before trial, and a new bond for Bell was made without charge by American Bonding Co., Inc. Morgan is now president and agent of that company. Mooneyham appeared for Bell at the trial in District Court and did not ask for or receive any attorney\u2019s fee. Bell was convicted and appealed to Superior Court where he was represented by another lawyer and again convicted.\nAllegations in count two of the complaint have been stricken as to Mooneyham.\nBased upon the sworn allegations in the complaint, Judge Thornburg signed an order directing Mooneyham to appear in Superior Court at a time specified for the purpose of showing cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him as an attorney at law. The complaint and order to show cause were served on Mooneyham, and he personally appeared and agreed to file answer on or before 17 May 1972. On that date Mooneyham filed an answer admitting that he appeared for Bell in District Court as alleged in the complaint. Other allegations in the complaint pertaining to Mooneyham, except for the allegation that he is a licensed and practicing attorney, are denied.\nOn 22 May 1972 Judge Martin entered an order denying Mooneyham\u2019s motion to dismiss the complaint, and also denying a request for a jury trial made in Mooneyham\u2019s answer. Mooney-ham appeals from this order.\nAttorney General Morgan by Assistant Attorney General Rich for the State.\nUzzell and DuMont by Harry DuMont for respondent appellant, Grover Cleveland Mooneyham." }, "file_name": "0272-01", "first_page_order": 296, "last_page_order": 302 }