Document: 395 U.S. 337 89 S.Ct. 1820 23 L.Ed.2d 349 Christine SNIADACH, Petitioner,v.FAMILY FINANCE CORPORATION OF BAY VIEW et al. No. 130. Argued April 21, 1969. Decided June 9, Jack Greenber, New York City, for petitioner. Sheldon D. Frank, Milwaukee, Wis., respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Respondents instituted a garnishment action against petitioner as defendant and Miller Harris Instrument Co., her employer, garnishee. The complaint alleged claim $420 on promissory note. garnishee filed its answer stating it had wages $63.18 under control earned by unpaid, that would pay one-half to subsistence allowance1 hold other half subject order court. 2 Petitioner moved proceedings be dismissed failure satisfy due process requirements Fourteenth Amendment. Wisconsin Supreme Court sustained lower state court in approving procedure. 37 Wis.2d 163, 154 N.W.2d 259. case is here petition writ certiorari. 393 1078, 849, 21 771. 3 statute gives plaintiff 10 days which serve summons after service garnishee.2 In this was served same day She nonetheless claims procedure violates required Amendment, notice an opportunity heard are not given before rem seizure wages. What happens clerk issues at request creditor's lawyer; latter who serving sets motion machinery whereby frozen.3 They may, true, unfrozen if trial main suit ever wage earner wins merits. But interim deprived his enjoyment without any tender defense he may have, whether fraud or otherwise. 4 Such summary well meet extraordinary situations. Cf. Fahey v. Mallonee, 332 245, 253—254, 67 1552, 1554—1556, 91 L.Ed. 2030; Ewing Mytinger & Casselberry, Inc., 339 594, 598—600, 70 870, 872—873, 94 1088; Ownbey Morgan, 256 94, 110 112, 41 433, 437—438, 65 837; Coffin Bros. Co. Bennett, 277 29, 31, 48 422, 423, 72 768. present no situation requiring special protection creditor interest presented facts; nor narrowly drawn such unusual condition. resident community personam jurisdiction readily obtainable. 5 question law wise unwise law. Our concern what philosophy should embrace. See Green Frazier, 253 233, 40 499, 64 878. We do sit super-legislative body. sole there has been taking property procedural have dealt over again with constitutes 'the right heard' (Schroeder York, 371 208, 212, 83 279, 282, 9 255) within meaning process. Mullanev . Central Hanover Bank Trust 306, 314, 652, 657, 865. we said 'has little reality worth unless one informed matter pending can choose himself appear default, acquiesce contest.' U.S., S.Ct., 657. context freezing chance 6 A rule attachments general, see McKay MaInnes, 279 820, 49 344, 73 975, does necessarily every case. fact pass muster feudal regime mean necessary all modern forms. deal wages—a specialized type presenting distinct problems our economic system. turn then nature 7 prejudgment impose tremendous hardship earners families support. Until recent Act Congress,4 § 304 forbids discharge employees ground their garnished, often meant loss job. Over beyond great drain family income. As stated Congressman Reuss:5 8 'The idea advance judgment, trustee process, attachment, whatever called most inhuman doctrine. It compels earner, trying keep together, driven below poverty level.' Recent investigations problem disclosed grave injustices made possible comes taking. Sullivan, Chairman House Subcommittee Consumer Affairs held extensive hearings related stated: 'What know from study vast number cases debt fraudulent one, saddled poor ignorant person trapped easy credit nightmare, charged double something could even proper price for, hounded into giving up pound flesh, being fired besides.' 114 Cong.Rec. 1832. 11 leverage enormous. tenders only original but 'collection fees' incurred attorneys proceedings: 12 debtor whose tied garnishment, usually need money, position resist demands collection fees. If small, will considerable pressure charges get back. large, sign new contract 'payment schedule' incorporates these additional charges.'6 13 Apart those collateral consequences, appears statutory exemption granted earner7 'generally insufficient support week.'8 14 result practical drive wageearning wall.9 Where one's so obvious, needs extended argument conclude absent prior hearing (cf. Coe Armour Fertilizer Works, 237 413, 35 625, 628, 59 1027) rnishment fundamental principles 15 Reversed. 16 HARLAN, concurring. 17 Particularly light my Brother BLACK'S dissent, I think amiss me make explicit precise basis join Court's opinion. 'property' use garnished portion during period between culmination suit. Since deprivation cannot characterized de minimis, she must accorded usual requisites process: hearing. 18 rejoinder statement BLACK prompts word. His divergence rests, think, upon basic difference Due Process Clause Amendment limits norms 'fundamental fairness' content instance judicially derived alone colleague believes be, specifics Constitution, also, believe, concepts part Anglo-American legal heritage—not, continues insist, mere predilections individual judges. 19 From standpoint, consider 'notice' 'hearing' satisfied advised simultaneously garnishee, permanently lose until plenary adverse adjudication underlying her, relief available less than clear circumstances. Compare majority dissenting opinions Court, 178, 259, 267 (1967). situations, some referred opinion, ante, 339, afforded kinds aimed establishing validity, least probable unrestricted use. thrust past See, e.g., Mullane 313, 865 (1950); Opp Cotton Mills Administrator, 312 126, 152—153, 61 524, 535—536, 85 624 (1941); United States Illinois Cent. R. 291 457, 463, 54 471, 473, 78 909 (1934); Londoner City County Denver, 210 373, 385-386, 28 708, 713—714, 52 1103 (1908).* And am quite unwilling take unexplicated per curiam McInnes, 975 (1929), vitiating diluting essential elements 20 BLACK, dissenting. holds unconstitutional permitting judgment obtained principal debtor. law, however, requires authorizes him defenses regular violate process.' Of course contains words indicate power play fast loose laws. arguments makes reach conclusion, show why strikes down because considers kind bad policy, legislature, make. shows policy "most doctrine"; "compels level"; "in besides." 22 foregoing emotional rhetoric might very appropriate Congressmen phases Indeed, quoted statements were debate proposed federal also Wisconsin's legislators State's holding unconstitutional, they amount believe plain, judicial usurpation legislative decide laws shall be. There word Federal Constitution Amendments reports document's passage draw slightest inference authority thus try supplement strike selection own policies. simply nullified though step frustrate policies adopted elected legislatures. steps back brought President Roosevelt's fight. Arguments outlawing loan sharks installment sales companies decisions, legislators, This brings short concurring 'explicit basis' joins That is: 24 hearing.' 25 Every implicit HARLAN'S views been, satisfactorily answered case—an outstanding constitutional wait 'culmination suit,' is, now us final determination merits controversy was, accordance well-established procedure, petito ner dismiss proceedings. With reference petitioner's pertinent note employer day, November 1966; she, waiting December 23, 1966, denied Circuit 18, 1967; today. $31.59. withheld computed 10% annually about $3. Whether classified minimis material decision 26 dismiss, petitioner, according Wisconsin, asserted 'number grounds based deprivations likely suffered others, personally experienced.' 166, 261. went further pointed out challenger future injured part. seem, therefore, determine constitutionality statutes where them prevent passing all. 27 indebtedness evidenced note, affidavit contained allegation indebted thereon plaintiff. that, shown way good-faith lawsuit disposed whole motion. Another unconstitutionality, court, permitted post bond secure release provision equal 'to persons income.' ground, said: 29 'Appellant showing low income unable bond.' Wis.2d, 167, N.W.2d, 30 unconstitutionality urged since many employers discharged unreliable, threatened gainful employment earners. contention saying 'made reacted manner.' 31 challenging act affords days' time This, course, raise. 32 did involve 'any title defendant's property, merely preserve(d) status quo thereof action.' 169, 262. relied McInnes McKay, 127 Me. 110, 141 A. 699. Maine attachment which, governed 'garnishment,' Bouvier's Law Dictionary; Pennoyer Neff, 95 714, 565. subjected practically challenges HARLAN raise About 33 'But, although broad men ing preceding definition, deprive yet conditional temporary remedy taken satisfaction debt, recovered, contemplated Constitution. 'due law' proceeding authorized tribunal. 'law land' satisfied.' 116, 699, 702—703. 34 challenge worthy affirmed two decisions Standard Oil Superior Castle County, Terry 538, 44 Del. 62 A.2d 454, A.L.R.2d 405, appeal dismissed, 336 930, 69 738, 739, 93 1090; Balk, 198 215, 222, 227—228, 628—629, 1023. upholding cited following Rothschild Knight, 184 334, 341, 391, 393, 46 573: 36 'To actions legislature State courts * *.' Accord, Huron Holding Corp. Lincoln Mine Operating 183, 193, 513, 517, 725. 38 properly out: 39 ability place lien man's temporarily beneficial use, cause dates medieval England Roman times.' 171, 264. point Holmes Jackman Rosenbaum 260 22, 43 10, 107: itself historical product, destroy history substitute mechanical compartments exactly alike. thing practiced hundred years common consent, strong affect it, illustrated 104, 837.' 42 case, affirmance supra, Delaware Byrd Rector, 112 W.Va. 192, 163 S.E. 845, 81 A.L.R. 1213. today overruling abandoning customs practices country garnishments wholly government injury individuals. first sentence brief, urges 'is contrary public policy'; apparently finds sufficient unconstitutional. savors too much 'Natural Law,' 'Due Process,' 'Shock-the-conscience' test agree decision. dissent Adamson California, 46, 68, 1672, 1683, 1903. ADDENDUM. 45 latest Justices' view add few differences absolutely clear. He says 'not fromt heritage.' consistent expressed Frankfurter Rochin California determined 'those canons decency fairness express notions justice English-speaking peoples 342 165, 205, 96 183. event, 'Anglo-American heritage' more definite 'notions peoples' shock-of-the-conscience test. All so-called tests represent nothing adoption Natural concept system leaves judges means. These standards bind boundaries precisely marked defined On contrary, leave free convinced fair. judges, deciding constitutional, left admonitions consciences, Founders gave written all? Wis.Stat. 267.18(2)(a) provides: 'When salary action, date when normally payable allowance, owing sum $25 dependents $40 dependents; event excess 50 cent owing. Said allowance applied 267.07(1). 267.04(1). 82 Stat. 146, May 1968. Comment, Wage Garnishment Washington—An Empirical Study, Wash.L.Rev. 743, 753 (1968). Collection Device, 1967 Wis.L.Rev. 759. n. 1, supra. 759, 767. 'For man—and whoever affluent attached?—to means go essentials. No man sits while goes hungry heat. either files consumer bankruptcy tries begin again, just quits job relief. equity, sense, process?' Gonzales, 1833. For impact personal bankruptcies H.R. Rep. 1040, 90th Cong., 1st Sess., 20—21. effect administrative protect vital governmental interest. 1088 2030 (1947); Bowles Willingham, 321 503, 641, 88 892 (1944); North Amer. Cold Storage Chicago, 211 101, 53 195 908). However, justification advanced behalf

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