Martin v. Hoblit
Decision Date | 24 August 1999 |
Docket Number | No. 24798.,24798. |
Citation | 133 Idaho 372,987 P.2d 284 |
Parties | Gerald W. MARTIN and Carol J. Martin, husband and wife, Plaintiffs-Appellant, v. John Lincoln HOBLIT, a/k/a John Lincoln Hoblitt, Defendant-Respondent. |
Court | Idaho Supreme Court |
McFadden Law Offices, St. Maries, for appellant. Cathleen D. McFadden argued.
Quane, Smith, Coeur d'Alene, for respondent. Michael L. Haman argued.
Gerald and Carol Martin appeal from the dismissal of their complaint against the defendant for failure to complete timely service of process as required by Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure 4(a)(2). We affirm the dismissal order.
The facts are concisely stated in the district court's Opinion and Order Re: Motion to Dismiss:
The district court granted Hoblit's motion to dismiss, finding that the Martins had not shown good cause for the failure to serve the complaint within six months as required by Rule 4(a)(2). The court found that there was no agreement between the parties to waive the 4(a)(2) time period. The court also found that there was no affirmative evasion of service by Hoblit. The district court observed: "What we have here is a defendant who sometime over the two-year period following the accident decided to move from the State of Idaho and, having no affirmative duty to keep plaintiffs or their counsel advised as to his whereabouts, did not do so."
The Martins appealed and argued that the district court erred in finding no good cause to avoid dismissal of the action under I.R.C.P. 4(a)(2). The Court of Appeals reversed the district court relying heavily on a new standard of review announced by this Court in Sammis v. Magnetek, Inc., 130 Idaho 342, 941 P.2d 314 (1997), and followed by this Court in Telford v. Mart Produce Inc., 130 Idaho 932, 950 P.2d 1271 (1998). Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the Martins and drawing all reasonable inferences in their favor, the Court of Appeals held that the Martins had shown good cause because they had attempted to serve Hoblit within the six-month period and there were ongoing settlement negotiations.
Hoblit filed a petition for review which this Court granted.
Where review has been granted, the established procedure is that we turn directly to the decision of the trial court and to the briefs which were considered by the Court of Appeals, following which we hear oral argument and take the case under advisement. We extend serious consideration to the views of the Court of Appeals, having previously reviewed that court's opinion in considering the merits of the petition seeking review. Where there is no dispute as to the factual circumstances, our review consists of ascertaining the effect of applicable law on the undisputed facts. Simplot v. W.C. Owens, M.D., P.A., 119 Idaho 243, 244, 805 P.2d 449, 450 (1990).
I.R.C.P. 4(a)(2) requires that service of the summons and complaint be made "upon a defendant within six months after the filing of the complaint and [if] the party on whose behalf such service was required cannot show good cause why such service was not made within that period, the action shall be dismissed as to that defendant without prejudice." When the defendant makes a prima facie showing that service of process was not accomplished during the six months prescribed by the rule, the district court must determine whether there was good cause for the untimely service. The burden is on the party who failed to effect timely service to demonstrate good cause. Id.; Sammis, 130 Idaho at 346,
The determination of whether good cause exists is a factual one. Sammis, 130 Idaho at 346, 941 P.2d at 318, citing Shaw v. Martin, 20 Idaho 168, 175, 117 P. 853, 855 (1911). The Court in Shaw, that was not bound by a statute or rule defining timely service of a complaint, instructed that the factual question was "to be determined upon the proof offered and the diligence shown by the plaintiff in making such service, and must be decided by the court upon the facts as they are presented." Shaw, 20 Idaho 168, 175, 117 P. 853, 855.1 In ascertaining whether good cause exists, there is no bright-line test; the question of whether legal excuse has been shown is a matter for judicial determination based upon the facts and circumstances in each case. See State v. Beck, 128 Idaho 416, 419, 913 P.2d 1186, 1189 (Ct.App. 1996)
. See also State v. Hobson, 99 Idaho 200, 202, 579 P.2d 697 (1978).
The complaint in this action was filed on May 4, 1995. Service of process did not take place within six months or by November 4, 1995, as prescribed by Rule 4(a)(2). It is this six-month...
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