State ex rel. Bitter v. Missig

Appellants assert in their sole proposition of law that the court of appeals abused its discretion by refusing to enforce or compel compliance with its writ of mandamus. The court of appeals possesses both inherent and statutory authority to compel compliance with its lawfully issued orders. Cramer v. Petrie (1994), 70 Ohio St.3d 131, 133-134, 637 N.E.2d 882, 884-885; State ex rel. Johnson v. Perry County Court (1986), 25 Ohio St.3d 53, 54, 25 OBR 77, 78, 495 N.E.2d 16, 18; R.C. 2705.02(A) (person who disobeys a lawful writ may be found guilty of contempt).

Courts may punish disobedience of…