IN RE PATRICIA ANN PAYNE MINOR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of PAP, Minor.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
FOR PUBLICATION
August 17, 2001
9:00 a.m.
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 229002
Wayne Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 93-308494
PATRICIA ANN JONES,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
ROBERT JONES,
Updated Copy
October 26, 2001
Respondent.
Before: Hoekstra, P.J., and Talbot and Zahra, JJ.
TALBOT, J.
Respondent-appellant "the mother" appeals as of right the trial court's order terminating
her parental rights to the minor child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(i).1 She challenges the trial
court's assertion of jurisdiction over the minor child and termination of her parental rights by its
order granting petitioner's motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10). We
vacate the court's order and remand for further proceedings.
On July 8, 1999, petitioner Family Independence Agency (FIA) began proceedings to
terminate the mother's parental rights to the minor child. The FIA also sought termination of the
parental rights of the putative father, James Lee Payne, and the legal father, respondent Robert
Jones. The mother timely asserted her right to a jury trial to determine the trial court's
1
MCL 712A.19b(3)(i) provides grounds to terminate parental rights if "[p]arental rights to 1 or
more siblings of the child have been terminated due to serious and chronic neglect or physical or
sexual abuse, and prior attempts to rehabilitate the parents have been unsuccessful."
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jurisdiction over the child. At the conclusion of one of several pretrial hearings, the putative
father requested a separate jury trial. In response to this jury demand, the FIA informed the court
that if the father insisted on a separate jury trial, the FIA would file a motion for summary
disposition with respect to the issue of jurisdiction.
Counsel for the FIA treated this child protective proceeding like any civil matter and filed
a motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10) with respect to both fathers
and the mother. The FIA argued that no genuine issue of material fact existed regarding the trial
court's grounds to assert jurisdiction over the minor child. Notably, the FIA did not ask the court
to terminate parental rights on summary disposition; instead, the FIA asked only that the court
assume jurisdiction over the child.
The mother's appointed counsel did not object to the use of summary disposition to
resolve the matter and agreed to waive oral argument on the motion. Counsel sought an
extension of time in which to file a brief in opposition to the FIA's motion, and the court granted
the request. The court indicated that it would either grant summary disposition with respect to
the question of jurisdiction and proceed to the dispositional phase, or it would deny the motion
and conduct a trial with respect to the issue of jurisdiction. Ultimately, counsel for the mother
never filed a response to the FIA's motion for summary disposition.2
The trial court issued a written opinion. The court explained in a footnote its rationale for
concluding that summary disposition is permitted in child protective proceedings. The court
noted that MCR 5.901 through MCR 5.927 govern child protective proceedings and that,
pursuant to MCR 5.901, other Michigan Court Rules apply only when subchapter 5.900
specifically provides. The court recognized that MCR 2.116(C)(10) is not explicitly made
applicable to such proceedings. However, the court noted the commentary to MCR 5.993, which
suggests that MCR 2.119, governing motion practice generally, has been incorporated by
reference. Further, the court reasoned, MCR 5.972 governs trials in child protective proceedings
and assumes the existence of disputed issues of fact. The court concluded that "[i]f such is not
the case, no reason exists not to allow a motion under MCR 2.116(C)(10)."
The trial court found no genuine issue of material fact and concluded that grounds for its
assertion of jurisdiction existed. Because the mother had not opposed the motion for summary
disposition, the court felt it was compelled to grant the motion and noted the mother's failure to
demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. Instead of limiting its
consideration to the question of jurisdiction, the court sua sponte made findings of fact and
terminated the mother's parental rights.
On appeal, the mother argues that the trial court's exercise of jurisdiction over the minor
child and termination of her parental rights on the basis of a grant of summary disposition
violated her right to procedural due process.3 Although she did not oppose the FIA's motion for
2
Our review of the record indicates that the only filing by the mother's attorney was the demand
for a jury trial.
3
The mother makes only a procedural argument on appeal. She does not address the factual
basis underlying the trial court's assertion of jurisdiction and termination of her parental rights.
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summary disposition or argue that the motion was not properly before the court, we will address
the argument because it involves a significant constitutional issue and all necessary facts are
before this Court. In re RFF, 242 Mich App 188, 204; 617 NW2d 745 (2000); In re Lang, 236
Mich App 129, 135; 600 NW2d 646 (1999). The interpretation and application of court rules are
questions of law that we review de novo. In re Contempt of Tanksley, 243 Mich App 123, 127;
621 NW2d 229 (2000). Likewise, to the extent that resolution of this issue implicates
constitutional due process concerns, our review is de novo. In re Carey, 241 Mich App 222,
225-226; 615 NW2d 742 (2000).
In child protective proceedings, the trial court must first determine whether it may
exercise jurisdiction over the child. In re Brock, 442 Mich 101, 108; 499 NW2d 752 (1993).
"To acquire jurisdiction, the factfinder must determine by a preponderance of the evidence that
the child comes within the statutory requirements of MCL 712A.2[.]" In re Brock, supra at 108109; MCR 5.972(C)(1). The procedural safeguards used in adjudicative hearings protect parents
from the risk of erroneous deprivation of their liberty interest in the management of their
children. In re Brock, supra at 111. Jurisdiction over a minor child is acquired by trial, plea of
admission, or plea of no contest. MCR 5.971, 5.972; In re Miller, 178 Mich App 684, 686; 445
NW2d 168 (1989). Parents may demand a jury determination of the facts in the adjudicative
phase of child protective proceedings. MCR 5.911(A); In re Brock, supra at 108; In re Miller,
supra at 686. "If the court acquires jurisdiction, the dispositional phase determines what action,
if any, will be taken on behalf of the child." In re Brock, supra at 108. The termination of
parental rights requires further dispositional hearings and proof of the statutory elements for
termination by clear and convincing evidence. Id. at 111-112; MCL 712A.19b(3).
The trial court clearly did not follow the procedures set forth in the court rules governing
child protective proceedings. It failed to honor the mother's demand for a jury trial in the
adjudicative phase, and it failed to conduct a dispositional hearing.
Moreover, the trial court erred in concluding that MCR 2.116(C)(10) applies to child
protective proceedings. MCR 2.116(C)(10) allows a trial court to grant a motion for summary
disposition where there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. Clearly, MCR 2.116(C)(10) does not apply to child protective
proceedings. MCR 5.901 provides in part:
(A) The rules in this subchapter, in subchapter 1.100 and in rule 5.113,
govern practice and procedure in the family division of the circuit court in all
cases filed under the Juvenile Code. Other Michigan Court Rules apply to such
juvenile cases in the family division of the circuit court only when this subchapter
specifically provides.
(B) Unless the context otherwise indicates:
(1) MCR 5.901-5.927, 5.980 and 5.991-5.993 apply to delinquency
proceedings and child protective proceedings;
* * *
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(4) MCR 5.961-5.974 apply only to child protective proceedings[.]
[Emphasis added.]
At no place in subchapter 5.900 is MCR 2.116 applied to child protective proceedings.
When interpreting court rules, we apply the same standards that govern statutory interpretation.
Hopkins v Parole Bd, 237 Mich App 629, 640; 604 NW2d 686 (1999). Where the plain language
of the rule is clear and unambiguous, courts must simply apply the clear meaning. Id.; Meyer
Jewelry Co v Johnson, 229 Mich App 177, 180; 581 NW2d 734 (1998). Here, applying the clear
and plain meaning of the court rules, MCR 2.116 does not apply to child protective proceedings.
The trial court's conclusion that "no reason exists not to allow a motion under MCR
2.116(C)(10)" simply disregards the plain meaning of the court rules.
The trial court correctly noted that the commentary to MCR 5.993 suggests that MCR
2.119 has been incorporated by reference in the rules governing child protective proceedings.
MCR 5.922(C) explicitly provides that "[M]otion practice in juvenile court is governed by MCR
2.119 . . . ." However, it does not follow that MCR 2.116 also applies. MCR 2.119 governs
general considerations of motion practice, such as the forms of motions and affidavits, the time
for service, the hearing procedures for contested motions, and motion fees. In contrast, MCR
2.116 provides for a specific type of motion, i.e., a motion for summary disposition.
On appeal, the FIA adopts and elaborates on the trial court's reasoning. The FIA argues
that because MCR 2.116(G) provides that MCR 2.119 applies to summary disposition motions,
and MCR 2.119 applies to child protective proceedings, then MCR 2.116 applies to child
protective proceedings. The FIA's argument is based on specious logic and is simply without
merit. The fact that the general motion practice provisions of MCR 2.119 apply to motions for
summary disposition brought under MCR 2.116 and also to motion practice under MCR
subchapter 5.900 has no bearing on whether MCR 2.116 applies to child protective proceedings.
The trial court's employment of summary disposition procedures is not permitted by our
court rules and does not comport with due process.4 Without addressing the merits of the FIA's
claim, the trial court's disregard of proper procedure warrants vacation of the court's order and
remand for an adjudicative trial.
Vacated and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain
jurisdiction.
/s/ Joel P. Hoekstra
/s/ Michael J. Talbot
/s/ Brian K. Zahra
4
This author notes his concern that the FIA would advance such a tenuous legal position while a
child's future remains uncertain.
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