Briney v. Katko, 54957

Decision Date11 May 1972
Docket NumberNo. 54957,54957
Citation197 N.W.2d 351
PartiesEdward BRINEY and Bertha L. Briney, Appellants, v. Marvin KATKO, Appellee.
CourtIowa Supreme Court

Howard S. Life, Bruce A. Palmer, and Charles A. Stream, Oskaloosa, for appellants.

Garold F. Heslinga, Oskaloosa, for appellee.

HARRIS, Justice.

The question is whether a judgment may be subject to collateral attack in district court after having been affirmed on appeal. The trial court determined it could not. We affirm.

After the filing of our opinion in Katko v. Briney, 183 N.W.2d 657 (Iowa 1971), the unsuccessful defendants brought this equity action in district court. Herein they sought an injunction restraining Katko, the successful plaintiff in the earlier case, from enforcing his judgment. The facts in this appeal are of course identical to those outlined in some detail in Katko v. Briney, supra. No further elaboration is appropriate here. The trial court was asked in effect to reverse this court in the earlier case.

Katko, as defendant in this case, promptly filed a motion to dismiss. This appeal is from the action of the trial court in sustaining the motion.

I. The Brineys cite familiar and well established authority for the proposition that equity may enjoin collection of a judgment. This is citation of good law for a bad purpose. The right to injunctive relief restraining the collection or enforcement of judgments is given to protect against frauds. It has no application to cases where the judgment challenged has been affirmed on appeal.

'Generally, where a final judgment of the lower court is affirmed on appeal in all its parts and the case is not remanded to the lower court for further proceedings, the controversy is at an end * * * the rights of the parties * * * are conclusively adjudicated.' 5B C.J.S. Appeal and Error § 1857, page 294. See also 5 Am.Jur.2d, Appeal and Error, section 934, page 361.

The scant authority available from all jurisdictions seems unanimous a trial court is without power to enjoin the enforcement of its judgment after an affirmance on appeal. See annotation at 85 A.L.R.2d 772. Iowa cases are in accord. Jersild v. Sarcone, 163 N.W.2d 78 (Iowa 1968); Back v. Back, 148 Iowa 223, 125 N.W. 1009, L.R.A.1916C, 752.

II. Besides rearguing the matters raised in the earlier appeal, the Brineys urge a reversal on the claim a motion to dismiss was inappropriate. They insist the defense of res judicata is an affirmative defense not to be raised by a motion to dismiss...

To continue reading

Request your trial
3 cases
  • Arnold v. Lang, 2-59164
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • November 23, 1977
    ...resolved in his favor, and accept challenged allegations as true. Weber v. Madison, 251 N.W.2d 523, 525 (Iowa 1977); Briney v. Katko, 197 N.W.2d 351, 352 (Iowa 1972). However, trial court's conclusions of law and interpretation of pertinent statutes are not binding on appeal. Westhoff v. Am......
  • Helmkamp v. Clark Ready Mix Co.
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • January 19, 1977
    ...is justified on the ground an adjacent highway already makes the neighborhood a noisy place. Under the principles in Briney v. Katko, 197 N.W.2d 351 (Iowa 1972) I would reverse the trial court. I believe the trial court was without power to refuse to enforce the judgment after our earlier d......
  • Windway Technologies, Inc. v. Midland Power Cooperative, No. 8-432/07-1222 (Iowa App. 7/16/2008), 8-432/07-1222
    • United States
    • Iowa Court of Appeals
    • July 16, 2008
    ...the court had authority to hear the "motions" as the prior order dismissing the case was affirmed by this court. See Briney v. Katko, 197 N.W.2d 351, 352 (Iowa 1972) ("Generally, where a final judgment of the lower court is affirmed on appeal in all its parts and the case is not remanded to......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT