Cox v. Griffin
Cox v. Griffin
Opinion of the Court
*189*442The lesson in this case is there are important distinctions between the torts of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Lucinda Cox alleged that Hollis Griffin intentionally filed a false police report accusing Cox of forgery and embezzlement, leading to Cox's arrest and seven-day incarceration. Cox's attorney asked the court to instruct the jury on false arrest (false imprisonment) and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Cox's complaint did not allege a cause of action for malicious prosecution, and the court did not instruct on malicious prosecution.
After the jury awarded Cox $ 450,000 in a general verdict, the trial court granted Griffin's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) because under Hagberg v. California Federal Bank (2004)
In sum, Cox prevailed on causes of action barred by section 47(b), and she failed to allege and have the jury instructed on her only potentially viable cause of action, malicious prosecution.
Cox's only argument in her opening brief is that the JNOV should be reversed because "the elements of malicious prosecution were supported by substantial evidence in the record." We reject Cox's argument because an appellant "cannot challenge a judgment on the basis of a new cause of action [she] did not advance below." ( UnitedStates Golf Assn. v. Arroyo Software Corp. (1999)
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. Business Disputes
In 2008 Cox and Griffin, who had been friends for over 20 years, opened a cosmetology school together. Cox was one of the *190school's teachers and Griffin handled administration.
In 2010 Cox and Griffin had numerous business disagreements, causing them to sell the school in 2012. To pay final expenses Cox opened a checking account in July 2012 that required both of their signatures on checks. When the account was opened, the bank provided three checks, which Cox and Griffin signed in blank; i.e., with no payee, no date, and no amount. Cox used two of the checks to pay small invoices and kept the third blank check for *444future use. Griffin testified that she understood Cox would use that third check to pay a $20 invoice.
B. The $ 35,200 Check
About seven months later, in February 2013, Cox issued the remaining presigned blank check to herself for $ 35,200, essentially depleting the joint account.
Cox testified that Griffin had no further interest in the business and told Cox to take the money to pay the school's debts. Cox also testified that she disbursed the $ 35,200 to pay the school's debts and did not keep "a single dime" for herself.
Griffin disagreed, testifying that she never authorized Cox to issue herself a $ 35,200 check. In September 2013 Griffin sent Cox an e-mail asking her to explain how this money was taken out of the joint account "without [her] signature" and "[c]an you please tell [me] what is going on?" Cox did not reply.
C. Griffin's Crime Report and Cox's Arrest
In October 2013 Griffin reported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department that Cox had forged her signature on the $ 35,200 check. The sheriff's department investigated and a warrant was issued for Cox's arrest.
Griffin has law enforcement contacts. Her husband works for a district attorney's office. Griffin also owns a gun shop, sold firearms to the deputy who took the crime report, and knows the detective assigned to investigate her criminal complaint.
The detective asked Griffin to notify the sheriff's department if she saw Cox. On December 23, 2014, at about 8 p.m., Griffin and her husband reported that Cox was at a residence owned by one of Cox's clients.
At trial, Griffin acknowledged that Cox had not forged her signature on the $ 35,200 check. Griffin testified that when she contacted police in October 2013, she had forgotten that seven months earlier she had signed the blank check. Griffin testified that although the check was not forged, it was fraudulent because Cox wrongfully used Griffin's share of the $ 35,200 to pay Cox's personal expenses.
An accountant testified that as a result of errors in the school's tax returns, Griffin *191received tax benefits at Cox's expense. In closing argument, Cox's attorney argued that Griffin sought to chill Cox's attempts to file amended tax returns by making a false police report about the $ 35,200 check.
D. Procedural History
In December 2015 Cox filed a form complaint against Griffin containing one cause of action entitled "Intentional Tort," alleging:
"Hollis Griffin, knowingly and intentionally, filed a false police report for the purpose of causing the false incarceration of Plaintiff, Lucinda Cox, alleging that the Plaintiff had committed a forgery and had embezzled money from Hollis Griffin and did it for the purpose of causing Plaintiff, Lucinda Cox, to be unlawfully and intentionally incarcerated. On December 23, 2014, on the basis of the false police report filed by Hollis Griffin, Plaintiff Cox was arrested and incarcerated for 7 days, causing extreme emotional distress, loss of wages, medical and physical injuries and loss of earning capacity."
During trial, the court granted Cox's motion to amend the complaint to conform to proof to add a cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The record does not indicate that Cox sought to amend the complaint to add a malicious prosecution cause of action.
Cox's attorney asked the court to instruct on (1) intentional infliction of emotional distress and (2) false arrest with warrant. On the false arrest cause of action, the court instructed the jury as follows:
"Plaintiff Lucinda Cox claims that she was wrongfully arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's department as a result of a false police report filed by the Defendant Hollis Griffin. To establish this claim, Plaintiff must prove all of the following:
"1. That Hollis Griffin intentionally caused Lucinda Cox to be wrongfully arrested;
*446"2. That Hollis Griffin intentionally filed a false police report that lead directly to incarceration of Lucinda Cox;
"3. That Lucinda Cox[ ] was harmed; and
"4. That Hollis Griffin's conduct was a substantial factor in causing Lucinda Cox'[s] harm."5
In closing argument, Cox's attorney told the jury, "So we have two causes of action ... intentional infliction of emotional distress [and] ... false arrest." In his rebuttal closing, Cox's attorney reiterated that "[t]his case is about false arrest, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress."
The jury returned a general verdict in Cox's favor for $ 450,000. After the court entered judgment on the verdict, Griffin filed a JNOV motion asserting that under Hagberg , supra ,
Cox opposed the JNOV motion, asserting that section 47(b) did not immunize "intentionally false statements to law enforcement." In reply, Griffin again cited Hagberg , supra ,
After conducting a hearing, the court granted the JNOV motion, ruling that section 47(b)"provides a complete defense to Cox's causes of action." Cox appealed from the defense judgment.
*447DISCUSSION
I. THE COURT CORRECTLY ENTERED JNOV
A. No Forfeiture from Designation of Reporter's Transcript
An appellant who elects to proceed with a reporter's transcript may choose to designate less than all the testimony given in the superior court. However, if the appellant does so, the designation must state the points to be raised on appeal, and the appeal is "then limited to those points unless, on motion, the reviewing court permits otherwise." ( Cal. Rules of Court,
In Cox's amended notice designating the record, she identified the proceedings to be included in the reporter's transcript and checked the box indicating that the proceedings so designated "do not include all of the testimony in the superior court." Cox specified the issue to be raised on appeal as: "[I]ntentional misrepresentations are not covered by [ section] 47(b)."
In her opening brief, Cox asserts that section 47(b) does not bar an action for malicious prosecution, and "the elements of malicious prosecution were supported by substantial evidence in the record." This is not the issue Cox specified in her record designation. Moreover, Cox has not brought a motion to raise appellate issues not identified in her designation. Griffin argues that as a result Cox has forfeited the malicious prosecution issue raised in the opening brief.
Cox's reply brief does not address this argument. An appellate court is not required to make arguments for parties. ( Paterno v. State of California (1999)
Because we discovered this on our own, we asked the parties to submit supplemental *193briefs addressing this question. Cox's brief states that the reporter's transcript contains all the testimony given in the superior court. *448Griffin's attorneys state they do not know because they did not purchase a copy of the reporter's transcript. Because the reporter's transcript contains all the testimony given in the superior court, we reject Griffin's forfeiture argument and turn to the merits.
B. Distinctions Between False Imprisonment and Malicious Prosecution
There are important distinctions between the intentional torts of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. The elements of a cause of action for false imprisonment are (1) an arrest without legal process, (2) imprisonment, and (3) damages. ( Ramsden v. Western Union (1977)
In contrast, malicious prosecution is procuring the prosecution of another under lawful process, but from malicious motives and without probable cause. Unlike false imprisonment, malice and lack of probable cause, plus a favorable termination of the proceedings on the merits, are the gist of the action for malicious prosecution. ( Singleton v. Perry (1955)
"False imprisonment and malicious prosecution are mutually inconsistent torts .... In a malicious criminal prosecution, the detention was malicious but it was accomplished properly, i.e., by means of a procedurally valid arrest. In contrast, if the plaintiff is arrested pursuant to a procedurally improper warrant or warrantless arrest, the remedy is a cause of action for false imprisonment." ( Cummings v. Fire Ins. Exchange (1988)
C. Section 47 (b )Privilege
Section 47(b) provides that a statement made "[i]n any (1) legislative proceeding, (2) judicial proceeding, (3) in any other official proceeding authorized by law, or (4) in the initiation or course of any other proceeding authorized by law and reviewable [by writ of mandamus]" is privileged, with certain exceptions that are inapplicable here. ( Hagberg , supra , 32 Cal.4th at p. 360,
*449"[T]he absolute privilege established by section 47(b) serves the important public policy of assuring free access to the courts and other official proceedings. It is intended to ' "assure utmost freedom of communication between citizens and public authorities whose responsibility is to investigate and remedy wrongdoing ." ' ( Silberg [v. Anderson (1990) ] 50 Cal.3d [205,] 212,
Particularly relevant here, "citizen reports of suspected criminal activity to law enforcement personnel enjoy an absolute privilege of immunity from civil liability under section 47(b)." ( Kesmodel v. Rand (2004)
Implementing section 47(b), the California Supreme Court has held that this privilege applies to false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress-the only causes of action Cox pleaded and the only theories of liability upon which the court instructed Cox's jury. ( Hagberg , supra , 32 Cal.4th at p. 375,
Mulder , supra ,
D. Cox Is Precluded from Changing Theories on Appeal
In her opening brief, Cox does not contend that the trial court erred in determining that section 47(b) provided a complete defense to the only causes of action she alleged: false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Instead, Cox argues that the trial court erred because there was substantial evidence that Griffin committed a different tort -malicious prosecution-which is not barred by section 47(b). Cox asserts, "[T]he privilege *450under [s]ection 47(b) did not render the jury's verdict contrary to law because all of the elements of malicious prosecution were clearly present."
Cox's argument is untenable. We cannot reverse the judgment on a theory of malicious prosecution that Cox did not litigate in the trial court. " 'As a general rule ... appealing parties must adhere to the theory (or theories) on which their cases were tried.' " ( P&D Consultants, Inc. v. City of Carlsbad (2010)
Despite this general rule, courts have discretion to consider a new *195theory on appeal if it involves a legal question based on undisputed facts. ( Vasquez , supra , 27 Cal.App.5th at p. 96,
Cox's argument fails because facts essential to establishing malicious prosecution were not in evidence at trial, nor were they the subject of any "findings" made by the trial court. For example, "[f]avorable termination 'is an essential element of the tort of malicious prosecution, and it is strictly enforced.' " ( Lane , supra , 20 Cal.App.5th at p. 68,
Cox contends undisputed evidence establishes favorable termination of the criminal charges filed against her. She asserts, "In July 2015, after nine *451hearings, the criminal judge dismissed the criminal case against Cox." However, there was no evidence at trial that the criminal charges against Cox were dismissed, much less evidence that the dismissal reflected on Cox's innocence. Moreover, Cox cites nothing in the order granting the JNOV where the court made any finding that there had been a favorable termination.
To support her assertion that there was a favorable termination of the criminal charges, Cox cites pages 9 and 423 of the reporter's transcript and page 530 of the clerk's transcript. However, page 9 is Cox's attorney's opening statement that "low [sic ] and behold the whole case got dismissed." Opening statement "is not evidence, and no jury would accept it as facts proved." ( People v. Arnold (1926)
Even assuming for the sake of argument that there was admissible evidence that the criminal charges against Cox were dismissed, "[i]t is not enough, however, merely to show that the proceeding *196was dismissed." ( Jaffe v. Stone (1941)
Disagreeing with this analysis, Cox cites Van Audenhove v. Perry (2017)
This argument fails because it is based on a misunderstanding of Van Audenhove , supra ,
Furthermore, Cox's new malicious prosecution theory also fails because "in most cases, a person who merely alerts law enforcement to a possible crime ... is not liable if[ ] law enforcement, on its own, after an independent investigation, decides to prosecute." ( Williams v. Hartford Ins. Co. (1983)
Additionally, where, "as here, the claim of malicious prosecution is based upon initiation of a criminal prosecution, the question of probable cause is whether it was objectively reasonable for the defendant to suspect the plaintiff had committed a crime." ( Ecker v. Raging Waters Group, Inc. (2001)
E. No New Arguments in Reply Brief
For the first time in her reply brief, Cox asserts that Griffin waived the litigation privilege defense by not raising it until the JNOV motion. However, Cox has forfeited this issue by failing to raise it in her opening brief. " ' "Obvious considerations of fairness in argument demand that the appellant present all of [her] points in the opening brief. To withhold a point until the closing brief would deprive the respondent of [her] opportunity to answer it or require the effort and delay of an additional brief by permission. Hence the rule is that points raised in the reply brief for the first time will not be considered, unless good reason is shown for failure to present them before." ' " ( Doe v. California Dept. of Justice (2009)
Additionally, Cox's waiver argument is contained in the section of her reply brief entitled "Introduction." This violates rule 8.204(a)(1)(B), which requires a brief to state each point "under a separate heading or subheading."
*454Her point is forfeited for this additional reason as well. ( Opdyk v. California Horse Racing Bd. (1995)
Also for the first time in the reply, Cox asserts that a JNOV was improper because if Griffin had moved for a directed verdict on the same grounds, that motion would have been denied. Again, however, Cox does not explain why she failed to raise this in her opening brief. Accordingly, the point is forfeited. ( Doe , supra , 173 Cal.App.4th at p. 1115,
*198DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
WE CONCUR:
HUFFMAN, Acting P.J.
O'ROURKE, J.
All statutory references are to the Civil Code.
Cox's opening brief has a one-page statement of facts. Griffin's brief has a five-line statement of facts. The factual background in this opinion is, therefore, largely based on this court's independent review of the record.
Cox testified that Griffin knew she was regularly at that client's house "for many years on a certain day of the week"-from which the jury could infer that Griffin planned the arrest to occur near Christmas.
In closing argument, Cox's lawyer stated, "[N]o one has been able to explain how the bail was at $ 250,000 except strangely [Griffin's] husband worked at the [district attorney's] office that sets the bail."
We express no opinion on the correctness of this instruction; that issue has not been raised and is not before us.
False arrest and false imprisonment are the same tort. False arrest is a way of committing false imprisonment. (Gillan v. City of San Marino (2007)
We are unable to find a ruling on this request for judicial notice.
Citations to rules are to the California Rules of Court.
Cox designated proceedings occurring on February 7, 8, 9, and 10. Cox testified on February 7 and 8. Griffin testified beginning in the afternoon on February 8. Griffin's testimony was interrupted on February 9 for the testimony of Deputy Robert Oakleaf. Karl Anderson testified on February 9. Griffin's testimony resumed on February 9. Cox testified again on February 9. All of this testimony is in the reporter's transcript Cox designated. The clerk's minutes are consistent with this and do not list any other person as having testified.
The so-called "finding[s]" to which Cox refers are not findings. In granting the JNOV motion, the court summarized evidence supporting the verdict, stating, "Cox's theory of liability against Griffin, and the jury's verdict was based upon the evidence presented that she was the victim of a false report by Griffn [sic ] to the police and, as a result, was arrested and incarcerated which incarceration subjected her to extreme emotional distress. In contacting the police Griffin knowingly and intentionally accused Cox falsely of forgery and embezzlement."
Although not cited by Cox, in closing argument Griffin's lawyer conceded the criminal case had been dismissed. However, he also stated that the dismissal was "for whatever reason" and not because the crime report was false.
Implicitly acknowledging that there was no evidence at trial that her criminal charges were dismissed, on appeal Cox requests that this court take judicial notice of online docket entries in her criminal action stating the charges were "dismissed." Cox concedes these documents were not presented to the trial court. The request for judicial notice is denied. "Reviewing courts generally do not take judicial notice of evidence not presented to the trial court." (Vons Companies, Inc. v. Seabest Foods, Inc. (1996)
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Lucinda COX, and v. Hollis GRIFFIN, and
- Cited By
- 32 cases
- Status
- Published