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NOTICE: Although citation of unpublished opinions remains unfavored,
unpublished opinions may now be cited if the opinion has persuasive value on a
material issue, and a copy is attached to the citing document or, if cited in oral
argument, copies are furnished to the Court and all parties. See General Order of
November 29, 1993, suspending 10th Cir. Rule 36.3 until December 31, 1995, or
further order.
Petitioner-appellant Calvin K. Rickett, Sr., a resident of Utah, did not file state
income tax returns for the years 1982 to 1988. Upon request of the Utah State
Tax Commission, a state district court issued a mandate compelling petitioner
to file the tax returns. Petitioner refused to comply with the mandate and was
held in civil contempt and incarcerated. See Utah Code Ann. 78-32-12 (1987
Repl.Vol.) (civil contempt statute). While incarcerated, he petitioned for habeas
corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2254. He now appeals from the district court's
dismissal of the petition for failure to exhaust state remedies.
The district court correctly dismissed the petition for lack of exhaustion;
petitioner has not demonstrated that available state remedies have been
exhausted. See 28 U.S.C. 2554(b) & (c); Rose v. Lundy, 455 U.S. 509 (1982).
Moreover, because petitioner has since purged the civil contempt by filing the
required returns and has been released from custody, his habeas claims are now
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not assist the determination of this
appeal. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The case therefore is
ordered submitted without oral argument
**
This order and judgment has no precedential value and shall not be cited, or
used by any court within the Tenth Circuit, except for purposes of establishing
the doctrines of the law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. 10th
Cir.R. 36.3