Mobay Props., LLC. v. White

• Decision Date: 06 March 2018
• Docket Number: WD 80291
• Citation: 540 S.W.3d 876
• Parties: MOBAY PROPERTIES, LLC., Respondent, v. William Howard WHITE a/k/a/ William H. White, a/k/a William White, a/k/a William-Howard, Appellant.
• Court: Missouri Court of Appeals

540 S.W.3d 876

MOBAY PROPERTIES, LLC., Respondent,

v.William Howard WHITE a/k/a/ William H. White, a/k/a William White, a/k/a William-Howard, Appellant.

WD 80291

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

Opinion filed: March 6, 2018

John H. Edmiston, Warrensburg, for Respondent.

William White, Appellant Pro-se.

Before Division One: Thomas H. Newton, Presiding Judge, Victor C. Howard, Judge and Karen King Mitchell, Judge

VICTOR C. HOWARD, JUDGE

William White appeals the trial court's judgment in favor of MoBay Properties, LLC, quieting title to real estate in Johnson County. Because of significant deficiencies in Mr. White's appellate brief, the appeal is dismissed.

Mr. White appeals pro se. This court struck his initial brief for multiple specific violations of Rule 84.04. Ms. White filed an amended brief, and MoBay Properties subsequently filed a motion to strike the amended brief for noncompliance with Rule 84.04. The motion was taken with the case.

Pro se appellants are held to the same standards as lawyers. J.L. v. Lancaster , 453 S.W.3d 348, 350 (Mo. App. W.D. 2015). Although this court is mindful of the difficulties that a party appearing pro se encounters in complying with rules of procedure, pro se appellants must be required to comply with these rules. Id. "It is not for lack of sympathy, but rather is necessitated by the requirement of judicial impartiality, judicial economy, and fairness to all parties." Id. (internal quotes and citation omitted). Thus, pro se appellants must comply with Supreme Court Rule 84.04, which sets forth various requirements for appellate briefs. Id.

Compliance with the briefing requirements of Rule 84.04 is mandatory to ensure that the appellate court does not become an advocate by speculating on facts and arguments that have not been made. Id. Violations of the rule are grounds for dismissal of an appeal. Id.

Whether to dismiss an appeal for briefing deficiencies is discretionary. That discretion is generally not exercised unless the deficiency impedes disposition on the merits. It is always our preference to resolve an appeal on the merits of the case rather than to dismiss an appeal for deficiencies in the brief.

Id. (internal quotes and citation omitted).

Mr. White's brief is deficient in many respects. First, the jurisdictional statement does not comply with Rule 84.04(b). That rule provides, in pertinent part, "The jurisdictional statement shall set forth sufficient factual data to demonstrate the applicability of the particular provision or provisions of article V, section 3, of the Constitution upon which jurisdiction is sought to be predicated." Mr. White's six-page jurisdictional statement first appears to dispute the jurisdiction of the Johnson County Circuit Court over Indian Tribal people or to try issues regarding private property of Tribal People but then acknowledges this court's jurisdiction and asks it to reverse the circuit court's judgment, making various arguments for why the judgment is erroneous. The jurisdictional statement does not, however, set forth sufficient facts to demonstrate the applicability of a particular provision of article V, section 3, whereon the jurisdiction of this court is predicted. The jurisdictional statement is, therefore, inadequate under Rule 84.04(b).

Second, the statement of facts fails to comply with Rule 84.04(c), which requires "a fair and concise statement of the facts relevant to the question presented for determination without argument. All statements of fact shall have specific page references to the relevant portion of the record on appeal, i.e., legal file, transcript, or exhibits." "The primary purpose of the statement of facts is to afford an immediate, accurate, complete and unbiased understanding of the facts of the case." Lattimer v. Clark , 412 S.W.3d 420, 422 (Mo. App. W.D. 2013) (internal quotes and citation omitted). Mr. White's statement of facts is one-sided, incomplete, and argumentative. It does not contain specific page references to the relevant portion of the record on appeal. Such deficiencies fail to preserve his claims for appellate review. Id.

Next, Mr. White's brief violates Rule 84.04(d) concerning points relied on. The rule provides that each point identify the trial court ruling or action being challenged, state concisely the legal reasons for the claim of reversible error, and explain in summary fashion why, in the context of the case, the legal reasons support the claim of reversible error. Rule 84.04(d). The rule further sets out the form the points shall substantially follow. Id. "The purpose of the briefing requirements regarding points relied on is to give notice to the party opponent of the precise matter which must be contended with and answered and to inform the court of the issues presented for resolution." Lancaster , 453 S.W.3d at 350.

Mr. White's point relied on is two single-spaced pages and approximately 970 words long. It does not follow the template provided in Rule 84-04(d). More importantly, it does not properly identify the trial court ruling being challenged, fails to state concisely the legal reasons of a claim of reversible error, and fails to explain in summary fashion why those legal reasons support a claim of reversible error. "Under Rule 84.04, it is not proper for the appellate court to speculate as to the point being raised by the appellant and the supporting legal justifications and circumstances." Fesenmeyer v. Land Bank of Kansas City , 453 S.W.3d 271, 274 (Mo. App. W.D. 2014) (internal quotes and citation omitted). Such speculation would...