Legal Opinion
In Re Robert Gruntz, Debtor. Robert Gruntz v. Opinion County of Los Angeles Los Angeles District Attorney
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Decided February 3, 2000No. 97-55379PublishedCited by 390 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
THOMAS, Circuit Judge:
In this appeal, we consider (1) whether a state court modification of the bankruptcy automatic stay binds federal courts; and (2) whether the automatic stay enjoins a criminal prosecution for the willful failure to pay child support. We hold that federal courts are not bound by state court modifications of the automatic stay, but that the automatic stay does not enjoin state criminal prosecutions.
I
It is not an inspirational tale. A divorce decree obligated Robert Gruntz to pay the relatively modest sum of $300 a month in child support. He failed to do so and ultimately…
2Cases cited53 opinions
- Younger v. HarrisSupreme Court of the United States · 1971
- Preiser v. RodriguezSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
- Imbler v. PachtmanSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals v. FeldmanSupreme Court of the United States · 1983
- Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1924
48 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by390 opinions
- Donald L. Snell v. Cleveland, Inc., and Patricia Faber John Does Jane DoesCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2002
- Eric Noel v. Brian C. Hall Sandra A. Hall, Fka Sandra Johnson, and Gabrielle S. Lennartz Herb Weisser Michelle A. MerchantCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2003
- Lockyer v. Mirant Corp.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2005
- Bianchi v. RylaarsdamCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2003
- In Re: The Application Of, Arnon Mozes v. Michal MozesCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2001
385 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.