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Mona Rey and Robert Earl Jones, Petitioners,
v.
Honorable William Means, District Judge in and for Tulsa County,
Oklahoma, Respondent.
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No. 51539.
Supreme Court of Oklahoma.
Jan. 18, 1978.
As Corrected Jan. 23, 1978.
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Petitioners,
defendant in civil fraud case and her attorney of record, brought
original action asking the Supreme Court to assume original jurisdiction
and issue writ of prohibition against respondent judge to prevent
enforcement of his order overruling motion to quash subpoena duces
tecum served on petitioner for production of documents at a depositional
hearing. The Supreme Court, Lavender, V. C. J., held that it would
grant writ of prohibition and remand case to trial court with instructions
to hold in camera hearing.
Jurisdiction assumed,
writ of prohibition granted, and cause remanded for additional hearing
and determination before allowing privilege against self-incrimination.
An original action on
application to assume original jurisdiction and for writ of prohibition
to prevent trial court from enforcing an order refusing to quash
a subpoena duces tecum for production of documents at a depositional
hearing upon the invoking of the state and federal constitutional
privilege against self-incrimination.
JURISDICTION ASSUMED;
WRIT OF PROHIBITION GRANTED AS TO OUTSTANDING ORDER REFUSING TO
QUASH SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM, BUT REMANDING FOR ADDITIONAL HEARING
AND DETERMINATION BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO ALLOW THE PRIVILEGE
AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION.
Patrick A. Williams,
Robert E. Jones, Tulsa, and Jack E. Rider, Stilwell by Patrick A.
Williams, Tulsa, for petitioners.
George P. Striplin, Reece
B. Morrel, Morrel, Herrold & West, Inc., Tulsa, for respondent.
LAVENDER, Vice Chief
Justice:
An incompetent, through
his guardian, and a corporate entity, of which the incompetent was
the major stockholder and had been its president, brought suit against
Mona Rey (Rey), one of the petitioners, and another individual in
the District Court of Tulsa County. That suit alleged fraudulent
overreaching of the incompetent. Relief sought recovery of funds
in an amount alleged to have been wrongfully taken from the incompetent
and his business corporation. A constructive trust was sought to
be impressed against the defendants' property.
A subpoena duces tecum
was issued that was directed to Rey for production of documents
(FN1) at a depositional hearing. Rey sought to quash the subpoena
based on invoking her state and federal constitutional privilege
against self-incrimination as to criminal fraud. Respondent judge
refused to quash the subpoena. Rey and her attorney of record in
the civil fraud case, as petitioners, bring this original action
asking this court to assume original jurisdiction and issue writ
of prohibition against the respondent judge to prevent the enforcement
of his order overruling the motion to quash the subpoena duces tecum.
Parties agree the petitioner
attorney, through his attorney-client relationship, is controlled
by the decision here as to Rey. If Rey is immune from the subpoena,
then the attorney is too. We consider Rey as the only individual
involved as to the production of documents and as to the invoking
of the constitutional privileges against self-incrimination.
This court assumes original
jurisdiction under its exercise of a general superintending control
over all inferior courts. Okl.Const.Art. 7, s 4. Granting a writ
of prohibition is discretionary in the exercise of that supervisory
control according to the nature and circumstances of each particular
case. Delhi Gas Pipeline Corporation v. Swanson, Okl., 520 P.2d
670, 672 (1974).
Petitioners suggest a
conflict between Giles v. Doggett, Okl., 500 P.2d 574 (1972) and
State v. Thomason, Okl.Cr., 538 P.2d 1080 (1975). Giles, supra,
refused discovery, requiring production of personal documents, books,
and records under 12 O.S.1971, s 548, upon the invoking of the privilege
against self-incrimination. Thomason, supra, refused that same constitutional
privilege as to the taking of a handwriting exemplar. Petitioners
argue Giles, supra, is controlling here, with the invoking of the
privilege against self-incrimination, and the subpoena duces tecum
should be quashed.
Respondent judge, through
the plaintiffs in the civil fraud case, contends a modern trend
of narrowing the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination
allows the production of documents required under the subpoena duces
tecum.
We see no conflict between
Giles, supra, and Thomason, supra; rather, we distinguish them.
Giles was concerned with testimonial evidence. Thomason was concerned
with physical evidence used for identification. (FN2) The privilege
against self-incrimination is not limited to criminal prosecutions,
but may be invoked in any proceeding if the evidence sought might
tend to subject one to criminal responsibility. Giles, supra, 575.
(FN3) There is no broader protection against self-incrimination
under the particular phraseology of our state's constitution than
the federal constitution. Thomason, supra. An examination of recent
United States Supreme Court decisions is required for the present
understanding of the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination,
both federal and state.
During the October term,
1975, the United States Supreme Court in two cases refused the privilege
against self-incrimination concerning documents and papers. One
case used a subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents.
Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391, 96 S.Ct. 1569, 48 L.Ed.2d
39 (1976). In the other case, the documents were secured through
a search warrant. Andresen v. Maryland, 427 U.S. 463, 96 S.Ct. 2737,
49 L.Ed.2d 627 (1976). "Fisher represents a genuine attempt
by the Court to articulate its reasoning in fifth amendment document
cases. The decision at least makes it clear that a fifth amendment
claim is not to be determined by a defendant's expectations of privacy.
From Andresen it seems that fourth and fifth amendment issues will
receive separate and independent analysis. * * * The importance
of Fisher, and to a lesser extent Andresen, lies not in the erosion
of the principles of Boyd, (FN4) but rather in what seems to be
their gradual replacement of the same. (FN5) (Footnotes added.)"
With Fisher the threshold
element becomes compulsion. That opinion recognized two forms of
testimonial compulsion: Compulsion to create the document and thus
"testify" in writing, and compulsion to produce the subpoenaed
document. The act of producing the documents could be "testimonial"
on two grounds: Production both implicitly authenticates the documents
as those subpoenaed and admits the existence of the documents and
the control or possession of them by the party subpoenaed. (FN6)
"Implied authentication" of the produced documents was
not found to exist in Fisher, supra. There seems to be two suggestions
of authentication: (1) The document produced is the document demanded;
and (2) production is a voucher of the accuracy or truthfulness
of the contents. Fisher, supra, found no problem, for the records
involved were worksheets prepared by an accountant. There, the party
compelled to produce could not testify as to the correctness of
the contents. The Fisher decision refused to discuss the fifth amendment
shielding one from producing his own tax records in his possession
as not being involved there.
In Andresen, supra, the
compulsion element was lacking, for the personal documents were
secured through a legal search warrant. The one seeking to invoke
the privilege of self-incrimination was not required or compelled
to produce the papers. There was no "implied authentication,"
for there was no compelled production of the papers. Authentication
came through another witness. Andresen, the individual against whom
the search was directed, was not required to aid in the discovery,
production, or authentication of incriminating evidence. He was
not compelled to testify in any manner. While Fisher implied that
private papers would be shielded only from forced production, Andresen
made explicit this apparent narrowing of the privacy interests protected
in the fifth amendment. (FN7)
On the production of
documents, we find the present fifth amendment rationale to be that
set out in the Irby comment (FN8) as:
"When the requested
documents are in the hands of the claimant, the elements of compulsion,
incrimination and testimonial communication must all be present
to invoke the protection of the fifth amendment privilege. The pivotal
element is compulsion. If there is no compulsion upon the claimant,
the Court's inquiry is over.
"Compulsion exists
in the forced production of documents by a motion to produce or
a subpoena duces tecum issued to the person claiming the privilege.
The compulsion must be upon the claimant, not a third person. If
the person claiming the privilege is not compelled to do something
himself, his fifth amendment rights are not violated. An agency
relationship does not alter this result.
"Possession of the
documents is important in aiding the Court in evaluating whether
personal compulsion has been exerted on the person claiming the
privilege, although it is not a controlling consideration. It is
evident that the compulsion requirement will be more easily met
if a person is forced to produce papers that are in his possession.
Seemingly, certain constructive possessions may be sufficient to
satisfy the compulsion requirement.
"If the Court finds
that there is compulsion exerted on the claimant, it will look to
see whether the claimant is compelled to make an incriminating and
testimonial communication. This communication may be oral testimony,
a written statement or a communicative or assertive act. First,
the Court will examine the contents of the documents. The contents
may be either incriminating or testimonial, or both. If either of
these elements is missing, the Court will next look beyond the contents
to the compelled act of producing the papers. If the act of producing
the documents is both incriminating and testimonial, then there
is a valid fifth amendment claim.
"This rationale
in Fisher differs from that in the earlier cases in that it has
completely eliminated any privacy considerations. Beginning with
Boyd, and continuing through Couch, (FN9) an individual's right
to or expectation of privacy was a primary concern of the Court
in determining whether there was a valid fifth amendment claim.
In Fisher, the Court has stated that this will no longer be part
of an inquiry into a fifth amendment claim. Possession and ownership
are not primary considerations under this rationale. They are still
important factors, but only when considered in relation to the elements
of compulsion, testimony and self-incrimination." (Footnotes
deleted; Footnote 9 added.)
Respondent urges waiver
of the fifth amendment privilege as to income tax returns sought
to be produced here, for the privilege was not claimed prior to
filing the return under Garner v. United States, 424 U.S. 648, 96
S.Ct. 1178, 47 L.Ed.2d 370 (1976). There, the privilege was not
allowed upon the introduction by the government of an income tax
return which showed Garner's occupation to be a gambler. By the
filing of the return, Garner was found to have waived his privilege
of self-incrimination. The opinion notes the choice is to file or
remain silent. One cannot file a return which makes disclosures
and concurrently claim the privilege. Garner, supra, is an introduction
into evidence problem. Garner is not a production of document problem.
Opposing party, the government, already had the tax return. Its
holding might be considered in determining if the tax return was
self-incriminating but that the privilege against its use had been
waived. Garner had no effect on the compelled act of producing the
document and filing the return is no waiver as to the effect of
that compelled act.
Although argued by respondent,
we place no emphasis on Shapiro v. United States, 335 U.S. 1, 68
S.Ct. 1375, 92 L.Ed. 1787. In Shapiro, the privilege was not applied
to required records. Much of its rationale comes from refusal to
call a required record a private paper. Here, we refuse privacy
consideration as to the fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination.
The Shapiro doctrine (FN10) was not considered in Garner, supra.
We believe respondent
correctly contends that the assertion of the privilege by the one
claiming incrimination does not of itself establish that hazard.
It is for the trial court to say whether the silence, or as here
the refusal to produce the documents, is justified. There must be
reasonable cause to apprehend danger. However, the claimant is not
required to prove the hazard in the sense in which a claim is usually
required to be established in court. To sustain the privilege, it
need only be evident from the implications surrounding the question
(or production), and in the setting in which it is asked (or required).
Hoffman v. United States, 341 U.S. 479, 71 S.Ct. 814, 95 L.Ed. 1118
(1950). Ordinarily, the trial judge is in a much better position
to appreciate the essential facts than an appellate court, and he
must be permitted to exercise some discretion, controlled by common
sense, when dealing with this necessarily difficult subject. (FN11)
Factors to be considered include all the circumstances of the case,
including any previous disclosures. (FN12)
In this original action,
we are hampered with insufficient facts. There are indications of
prior depositions and hearings in the trial court before ruling
on the motion to quash the subpoena. We do not have before us any
determination made by the trial court, other than the refusal to
quash the subpoena. The actual order is not here. The briefing suggests
that as between Giles, supra, and Thomason, supra, the trial court
thought Thomason to be better and in line with more recent federal
cases. It was for that reason the subpoena was allowed to stand.
Under the views expressed
in this opinion, we grant the writ of prohibition as to the present
order of the respondent judge that overrules the motion to quash
the subpoena duces tecum. We remand to the trial court with instructions
to hold an in camera hearing. This shall include an in camera examination
by the court of any subpoenaed documents. The court shall then make
findings and determinations suggested herein as the present fifth
amendment rationale. This includes the establishment, or the denial,
of the hazard of incrimination and the validity, or invalidity,
of a fifth amendment claim. We note the civil action is at the depositional
and discovery stage. That discovery may be subject to protective
orders under the trial court's equitable powers, and at his discretion.
12 O.S.1971, s 548. We give no opinion and make no decision as to
immunity.
Insofar as the rules
expressed in Giles v. Doggett, Okl., 500 P.2d 574 (1972) are in
conflict with the fifth amendment rationale adopted in this opinion,
the Giles opinion and all other cases of similar import are hereby
modified.
Jurisdiction assumed,
writ of prohibition granted, and cause remanded for additional hearing
and determination before allowing the privilege against self-incrimination.
WILLIAMS, IRWIN, BERRY,
BARNES, SIMMS and DOOLIN, JJ., concur.
FN1. Documents were described
in the subpoena as:
a) All income tax returns
of yourself and DeWayne Ketel, either jointly or separately for
the years 1966 through 1976;
b) All intangible tax
returns as of January 1, 1966, through the last year that they were
required to file;
c) All of your financial
statements in whatever name made, and of DeWayne Ketel, prepared
at any time during the period from 1966 through the date of the
issuance of this subpoena;
d) All books and accounting
records including, but not limited to, those showing income, receipts,
gifts, inheritances, loans, borrowings, disbursements of yourself
and DeWayne Ketel for the periods of January 1, 1966, through the
date of the issuance of this subpoena;
e) All records of property
settlements in any and all divorce actions between the date of January
1, 1966, and the date of the issuance of the summons including,
but not limited to, decrees of divorces entered;
f) Copies of all telegrams,
wires, records of receipts and transmissions of money, funds or
other goods and valuables;
g) Copies of all deeds,
closing statements and other records pertaining to the acquisition
and sale of real and personal property including closing statements;
h) Copies of notes payable
given F. C. Connelly, F. C. Connelly & Company, C & H Finance
Co., Midwest Electric Supply Co., Ernest Miller;
i) The M. R. Connelly
bank account, checks, deposit slips, and bank statements at the
NBT or Bank of Oklahoma.
FN2. Comment Irby, Production
of Documents, 11 U.Rich.L.Rev. 653, n. 47 reads, in part:
"While the basic
fifth amendment premises in Boyd, 3 as applied to documents, were
being narrowed, another body of law involving the fifth amendment
was developing. See United States v. Mara, 410 U.S. 79 (19, 93 S.Ct.
774, 35 L.Ed.2d 99) (1973); United States v. Dionsio (Dionisio),
410 U.S. 1 (93 S.Ct. 764, 35 L.Ed.2d 67) (1973); Gilbert v. California,
388 U.S. 263 (87 S.Ct. 1951, 18 L.Ed.2d 1178) (1967); United States
v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218 (87 S.Ct. 1926, 18 L.Ed.2d 1149) (1967); Schmerber
v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (86 S.Ct. 1826, 16 L.Ed.2d 908) (1966).
These decisions concerned use of identifying physical characteristics
of an accused. Generally, they held that such use was outside the
protection of the fifth amendment and distinguished physical and
testimonial evidence. * * * " (FOOTNOTE ADDED.)
3 Boyd v. United States,
116 U.S. 616, 6 S.Ct. 524, 29 L.Ed. 746 (1886). There the fifth
amendment privilege was extended to private papers and documents.
FN3. As to civil proceedings,
see McCarthy v. Arndstein, 266 U.S. 34, 45 S.Ct. 16, 69 L.Ed. 158
(1924).
FN4. See n. 3, supra.
FN5. See n. 2, pp. 664,
665.
FN6. Ritchie, Compulsion
That Violates the Fifth Amendment: The Burger Court's Definition,
61 Minn.L.Rev. 383, 394.
FN7. See n. 7, p. 396.
FN8. See n. 5, p. 662.
FN9. Couch v. United
States, 409 U.S. 322, 93 S.Ct. 611, 34 L.Ed.2d 548 (1973).
FN10. See criticism of
Shapiro, Notes, Taxpayer's Records, 16 W & M L.Rev. 666, 691,
and statement at p. 692 " * * *, the Supreme Court has not
applied the Shapiro doctrine to tax records, although several lower
courts have."
FN11. Anno. Privilege
Against Self-Incrimination, 95 L.Ed. 1126, 1130 with citations.
FN12. See n. 12, supra,
1133, 1134 with citations.
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