Stephens v. Lavitt

KITE, Chief Justice.

[¶1] Harry E. Stephens appeals from the district court's order adjudging him in contempt of court for violating an injunction that required him to lock a gate on his easement across property owned by Gregory D. and Debra C. Lavitt (Lavitts). The district court terminated Mr. Stephens' easement as a sanction for the contempt. He claims the district court did not have jurisdiction over a criminal contempt because it was not commenced in a separate case and, in any event, the court should not have extinguished his easement. We affirm on the grounds that the contempt was civil…