Document: 446 U.S. 754 100 S.Ct. 1987 64 L.Ed.2d 670 Edward V. HANRAHAN et al.v.Iberia HAMPTON al. Marlin JOHNSON v. Iberia Nos. 79-912, 79-914. June 2, 1980. Rehearings Denied Aug. 11, See 448 913, 101 33. PER CURIAM. 1 In the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976, Congress amended 42 U.S.C. § 1988 to permit award a reasonable attorney's fee "prevailing party" as part taxable costs in suit brought under any several specified civil rights statutes. The respondents three those statutes United States District Court for Northern Illinois, alleging that their constitutional had been violated by petitioners, and seeking money damages from them.1 directed verdicts but Appeals reversed remanded case new trial, 600 F.2d 600. also awarded on appeal, including fees which it believed be authorized 1988. Id., at 643-644.2 2 final sentence 1988, amended, provides follows: 3 "In action or proceeding enforce provision sections 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 this title, . court, its discretion, may allow prevailing party, other than States, costs." 4 statute terms thus permits only party." Accordingly, present cases, was attributable appeal if, reason obtaining partial reversal trial court's judgment, they "prevailed" within meaning prevailed with respect case,3 resting conclusion upon following appellate rulings favorable respondents: (1) Court's judgment directing against them, save certain defendants; (2) denial motion discover identity an informant; (3) direction remand consider allowing further discovery, conduct hearing respondents' contention some petitioners response discovery orders warranted imposition sanctions Federal Rule Procedure 37(b)(2). While did prevail these matters sense overturned them Court, were not, we have concluded, "prevailing" parties intended amended. 5 legislative history 1976 indicates person circumstances without having obtained "final full merits," H.R.Rep. No. 94-1558, p. 7 (1976). S.Rep. 94-1011, Thus, example, "parties considered when vindicate through consent formally relief," ibid.; U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News pp. 5908, 5912. supra, 7, cases cited; Dawson Pastrick, 70, 78 (CA7 1979); Nadeau Helgemoe, 581 275, 279-281 (CA1 1978). 6 It is evident contemplated pendente lite cases. 5; 7-8. But seems clearly intent such interlocutory party who has established his entitlement relief merits claims, either court appeal. congressional Committee Reports described what appropriate reference two cases—Bradley Richmond School Board, 416 696, 94 2006, 40 476 (1974), Mills Electric Auto-Lite Co., 396 375, 90 616, 24 593 (1970). 8. each whom liability opposing although remedial not entered. House Report, moreover, approved standard suggested Bradley, " 'the entry order determines substantial occasion propriety counsel ,' 8, quoting Bradley U.S., 723, n. 28, S.Ct., 2022, 28. Similarly, Senate Report explained would "especially where important matter course litigation, even he ultimately does all issues." 5, 5912 (emphasis added). apparent passages interim least claims. For event there determination "substantial parties," determined necessary foundation departing usual rule country bear expense own attorney.4 held entitled cause.5 As practical are position no different occupied if simply defeated defendants' verdict court. jury decide issues favor respondents. If should do so could seriously contended prevailed. Swietlowich Bucks County, 620 33, 34 (CA3 1980). Nor fairly said Appeals' dispositions, affected extent discovery. true procedural evidentiary rulings, determinations affect disposition merits, themselves "prevail" purposes shifting SeeBly McLeod, 605 134, 137 (CA4 1979). 8 Fraternal Order Police State Illinois 79-912 leave file brief, amicus curiae, granted. 9 motions proceed forma pauperis granted, petitions certiorari limited question Appeals, insofar respects, denied. 10 ordered. 11 Mr. Justice STEVENS took consideration decision 12 POWELL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST join, concurring dissenting part. 13 I join opinion reverses entered Seventh Circuit. grant petition filed federal defendants entirety, dissent 79-914.1 14 * This litigation arose aftermath 1969 police raid Chicago apartment nine members Black Panther Party, killed. surviving occupants legal representatives deceased Panthers four actions damages, now consolidated, 28 state law enforcement officials. complaints allege numerous violations rights. particular, plaintiffs claim agents assigned Bureau Investigation's office informant working (the defendants) conspired officers carry out operation, conceal allegedly sinister nature, harass unfounded prosecutions. 15 lasted 18 months, generating 37,000-page transcript masses documentary evidence. At close plaintiffs' case, 16 months after began, granted most defendants. Trial continued actually participated incident. Ultimately, deadlocked A divided panel vacated ordered reviewed entire record "the longest tried judiciary." Memorandum App. Pet. Cert. 79-914, 175a. have, however, read care separate opinions well extensive memorandum. Each judge agreed turns sufficiency evidence regarding alleged conspiracy. 17 chief, "reviewed inferences drawn therefrom, light plaintiffs." 186a. found "devoid proof participation [by defendants] conspiratorial plan among Thus existed granted." 193a-194a. More specifically, explained: "Each called adverse witnesses. testified extensively denied knowledge [sic], in, plan, agreement, conspiracy between themselves, violate statutory search apartment, prior thereto, occurrence, otherwise. Their denials uncontradicted unimpeached testimony whatsoever." 189a-190a. 19 Despite explicit findings presided over 18-month majority drew concluded sufficient "warrant whether existed." 600, 621 (1979). majority's lengthy relied primarily, entirely, describing FBI counterintelligence program number organizations Party. 20 There viewed organization, openly advocated armed resistance authority documented violence,2 serious threat public safety lives officers. issue designed discredit Panthers, produced excesses. unlawful excessive force used or, subsequently, malicious id., 648-649 (Fairchild, C. J., concurring). 21 No one contends itself. They supply information about illegal firearms stored apartment. defendant know participate planning joint activity operation time. fully corroborated circumstances, shown related events dubious value. Judge Pell, 22 "Going next remaining defendants, cannot agree basis kind agreement express implicit, cause made object killing wounding various Party members. time question, authorities thought good neutralize avowed purpose, others, policemen. Indeed, idea perhaps entertained some, all, engaged work community safer place law-abiding citizens live Fred Hampton cohorts scene. human feeling far removed inference deliberately set accomplish violence. 23 our jurisprudence convicted traffic offense unless proven guilty beyond doubt. Even though variety, believe planned homicide nothing more speculative conjecture mere suspicion. hard basic inference-creating facts just exist case." 660-661. absence positive "reasonable facts," include second trial. II 25 ordinarily leaves questions particular courts below. ordinary litigation. Although appear surface unexceptional extraordinary magnitude nature scope demonstrate lawsuit differs accustomed. 26 Pell observed "this overtones unbridled denigrating attacks governmental officials." 666. allegations unconstitutional indeed, view larger target: Investigation. strategy attack broadly. relevant support require go regardless underlying motive. Yet presence collateral objective, tangentially recovery imposed special duty mind admonition Butz Economou, 438 478, 508, 98 2894, 2911, 57 895 (1978), "federal officials [not be] harassed frivolous lawsuits." 27 rejected highly placed absolutely immune violations. officials, like sued qualified immunity suit. therefore liable "discharge duties way known rule." 507, 2911. Butz, emphasized absolute unnecessary protect interest "encouraging vigorous exercise official authority," 506, because shields good-faith mistakes. We predicted prove "workable," "firm application Rules Procedure" "[i]nsubstantial lawsuits [to] quickly terminated." "damages suits concerning need can terminated properly supported summary .." 507-508, heeded admonition. reversing misappreciated premises rested ruling Butz. endeavored accommodate societal objectives: compensate persons injured violations, discouraging laws. first objective impelled reject recognized, invite claims easily asserted. cautioned judiciary rules procedure groundless 29 Our concern extravagant charges might lacked fact. little speculation marshaled complaint. After devoted exclusively evidence, wholly participation" alleged. 193a. These continue assert routine effort cooperative enforcement. Neither nor below identified concrete contrary. similar survive unrelated prospect defending hardly fail "dampen ardor resolute, irresponsible, unflinching discharge duties." Gregoire Biddle, 177 579, (CA2 1949). III 30 vitiates protection sought insure effect legitimate efforts serious. least, officers' experience likely discourage cooperating agencies control. certiorari. 31 MARSHALL, dissenting. 32 clear me error "respondents claims." Ante, 758. concedes passing instances, litigant 'substantial parties,' ante, 757, 33 instant successful them. "only" means cause, 758, major accomplishment parties." Had doubt merits; finished. Obtaining requiring prematurely similarly achievement reflecting case. establishing warrant sending jury, breathes life into otherwise dead lawsuit. Without briefing oral argument, am unable say fall category victories determine parties" Act. my view, sufficiently difficult plenary attention rather reversal. dissent. controversy execution judicial seize weapons apartment's killed gunfire, others wounded. seized arrested seven survivors indicted grand attempted murder aggravated battery, indictments dismissed. Those Named Cook city Chicago, local involved aftermath. 79-912. proceedings resulted dismissal complaint county, see 339 F.Supp. 695 (N.D.Ill.1972), aff'd rev'd part, 484 602 1973), naming additional Investigation based §§ 1985(3) (1976 ed., Supp. II), 1986, provisions Constitution. causes law. unpublished supplemental issued December 12, 1979 (as 21, 1979), fixing amount award, reiterated recognized incurred 643-644. patterned contained Titles VII 1964, 2000a-3(b) 2000e-5(k), 402 Voting Amendments 1975, 1973l (e). (1976); construed Courts claim. Bly 1979) (Voting Act); Chinese Affirmative Action Leguennec, 580 1006, 1009 (CA9 1978) (same); Grubbs 179 U.S.App.D.C. 18, 20-21, 548 973, 975-976 (1976) (Title VII); Sperling 515 465, 485 1975) (same). Christiansburg Garment Co. EEOC, 434 412, 418, 694, 699, 54 648 (1978) ("[W]hen district awards [under 1964] plaintiff, awarding violator law"). cf. Van Hoomissen Xerox Corp., 503 1131, 1133 1974). cited justify Davis Murphy, 587 362, 363-364 1978); Wharton Knefel, 562 550, 556 (CA8 1977). stated that, verdicts, "not ultimate validity [the respondents'] claims," F.2d, 621, 20. Chief Fairchild use phrase 'prima facie' case" referring adduced taken mean "any stage compelled respondents] rebutted." 648. confine many 649 (1979) (Pell, part). Summarizing record, Pell's "extremist, paramilitary, uniformed organization .. violent, revolutionary edict required how access weapon." 654. noted "Black publications policemen," "published 'Destruction Kit' make incendiary bombs devices," children attending praised breakfast instructed "Kill Pigs," "boasted" less month before 654-655.

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