Bissett v. Unnamed Members of Political Compact

This is an appeal from a district court decision upholding a magistrate’s dismissal of a civil action. The appeal, like the earlier appeal to the district court, presents a host of procedural attacks upon the magistrate’s order. It also presents a substantive issue relating to the free exercise of religion. For reasons explained below, we affirm the decision of the district court.

The essential facts are undisputed. Robert Bissett was treated for acute appendicitis at the Bonners Ferry Community Hospital, a county facility. Subsequently, the hospital filed a small claims action against him,…