Document: 410 U.S. 614 93 S.Ct. 1146 35 L.Ed.2d 536 Linda R.S., Appellant,v.Richard D. and Texas et al. No. 71—6078. Argued Dec. 6, 1972. Decided March 5, 1973. Syllabus Appellant, the mother of an illegitimate child, brought a class action to enjoin 'discriminatory application' Art. 602 Vernon's Ann. Penal Code providing that any 'parent' who fails support his 'children' is subject prosecution, but which by state judicial construction applies only married parents. Appellant sought local district attorney from refraining prosecute father her child. The three-judge District Court dismissed appellant's for want standing: Held: Although appellant has interest in child's support, application would not result father's incarceration, private citizen lacks judicially cognizable prosecution or nonprosecution another. Pp. 616—619. 335 F.Supp. 804, affirmed. Windle Turley, Dallas, Tex., appellant. Robert W. Gauss, Lubbock, appellees. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 this United States on behalf herself, others similarly situated Code. A court was convened pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 2281, standing.1 804 (N.D.Tex.1971). We postponed consideration jurisdiction until argument merits, 405 1064, 92 1520, 31 793, now affirm judgment below. 2 Article 602, relevant part, provides: 'any parent shall wilfully desert, neglect refuse provide maintenance child children under eighteen years age, be guilty misdemeanor, upon conviction, punished confinement County Jail more than two years.' courts have consistently construed statute apply solely parents legitimate impose no duty children. See Home Holy Infancy v. Kaska, 397 S.W.2d 208, 210 (Tex.1966); Beaver State, 96 Tex.Cr.R. 179, 256 S.W. 929 (1923). In complaint, alleges one Richard refused although made enforcement against D., take express reason that, view, fathers were within scope 602.2 3 argues interpretation discriminates between without rational foundation therefore violates Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Cf. Gomez Perez, 409 535, 872, 56 (1973); Weber Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 406 164, 1400, 768 (1972); Glona American Guarantee Liability Ins. 391 73, 88 1515, 20 L.Ed. 441 (1968); Levy Louisiana, 68, 1509, 436 (968). But cf. Labine Vincent, 401 532, 91 1017, 288 (1971). complaint entirely clear point, she apparently seeks injunction running forbidding him declining ground unsupported illegitimate. 4 Before we can consider merits claim propriety relief requested, however, must first demonstrate entitled invoke process. She must, other words, show facts alleged present with 'case controversy' constitutional sense proper plaintiff raise issues litigated. threshold question answered whether 'alleged such personal stake outcome controversy as assure concrete adverseness sharpens presentation so largely depends illumination difficult questions.' Baker Carr, 369 186, 204, 82 691, 703, 7 663 (1962). 5 Recent decisions greatly expanded types 'personal stake(s)' are capable conferring standing potential plaintiff. Compare Tennessee Electric Power Co. TVA, 306 118, 59 366, 83 543 (1939), Alabama Ickes, 302 464, 58 300, 374 (1938), Barlow Collins, 159, 90 832, 25 192 (1970), Association Data Processing Service Organizations, Inc. Camp, 150, 827, 184 (1970). pointed out last Term, 'broadening categories injury may different matter abandoning requirement party seeking review himself suffered injury.' Sierra Club Morton, 727, 738, 1361, 1368, 636 (1972). law been changed 10 years, steadfastly adhered at least absence expressly standing,3 federal plaintiffs allege some threatened actual resulting putatively illegal before assume jurisdiction.4 See, e.g., Moose Lodge 107 Irvis, 407 163, 166—167, 1965, 1968, 32 627 Flast Cohen, 392 83, 101, 1942, 1953, 947 Laird Tatum, 408 1, 13, 2318, 2325, 33 154 6 Applying test case, hold unique context challenge criminal statute, failed sufficient nexus government attacks justify intervention. To sure, doubt stemming failure contribute payments. bare existence abstract meets half requirement. 'The invokes (judicial) power able . he sustained immediately danger sustaining direct (a statute's) enforcement.' Massachusetts Mellon, 262 447, 488, 43 597, 601, 67 1078 (1923) (emphasis added). also Ex parte Levitt, 633, 634, 493 (1937). As plain supra, 'a logical status asserted adjudicated. Such inquiries into litigant presents essential appropriate power.' U.S., 102, S.Ct., 1953. Here, showing secure payments results nonenforcement, father, 602. appears create continuing duty, it does follow civil contempt model whereby defendant 'keeps keys jail own picket' released whenever complies legal obligations. On contrary, creates completed offense fixed penalty soon Thus, if granted requested relief, jailing father. prospect will, future, payment can, best, termed speculative. Certainly 'direct' relationship adjudicated, previous suggest prerequisite standing, absent case. 8 Court's prior contest policies prosecuting authority when neither prosecuted nor prosecution. Younger Harris, 37, 42, 746, 749, 27 669 (1971); Bailey Patterson, 31, 33, 549, 551, 512 (1962); Poe Ullman, 367 497, 501, 81 1752, 1754, 989 (1961). these cases arose somewhat context, they jurisprudence least, given special prosecutions our system, insufficient vindication State's laws. correct dismissing standing,5 its affirmed.6 9 Judgment WHITE, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 11 R.S. suing 'on minor daughter, all women sought, seeking, future will seek obtain so-called said father.' declaratory unconstitutional continued only. further order requiring putative 'to pay reasonable amount money child.' 12 Obviously, there serious difficulties insofar require official appellees others, what amounts child-support order. those go ultimately grant They do affect right bring action. notes, could properly statute's underinclusiveness affirmative defense. McLaughlin Florida, 379 184, 85 283, 13 222 (1964); Railway Express Agency New York, 336 106, 69 463, 533 (1949). Presumably, same affirmatively him. Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 86 1497, 16 577 (1966); see Epperson Arkansas, 393 97, 89 266, 21 228 (1968). then becomes simply: why should recognizable attacking allegedly discriminatory class? not, after all, position members public large wish merely force enlargement born wedlock attempting represent excluded intentionally persons protected particular law. get protection laws get. Under rendered nonpersons; ignore them full knowledge subjected penal sanctions. states coercive effect sanctions 'can, speculative.' This very odd statement. I had always thought civilization assumed threat something 'speculative' person's conduct. long acted assumption demanding plainly explicitly worded people know mean conform their conduct mandates share surprisingly novel view. It assumes useful coercing fulfill obligations Unquestionably, prosecutes asserting nonsupport refuses entertain like complaints basis saying latter demand discrimination ended, way other. 14 If State pass murder white person crime, think Negroes declaration invidiously discriminated them. less challenging exclusion perceives being beneficial protections flow 15 maintain suit would, accordingly, reverse remand case proceedings. BLACKMUN, BRENNAN 17 By challenged Texas' exemption both liability. Our decision (1973), announced oral important implications governing man's liability fathered illegitimately. points out, procedurally us, ante, 615 n. brief makes basic objection system concerns paternal history suggests utilize tool compel remove need rely continues quest contribution. 18 issue decided is, my opinion, overtones. decide live, ongoing controversy. Rice Sioux City Memorial Park Cemetery, 349 70, 75 614, 99 897 (1955). beclouded precedents relied parties Thus 'intervening circumstances well altered views participants,' necessity resolving dispute longer present. Protective Committee Independent Stockholders TMT Trailer Ferry, Anderson, 390 414, 453—454, 1157, 1178, circumstances, clarification litigation. considered attack 4.02 Family Code, V.T.C.A., imposes 'spouses' Petitioner argued violated equal because imposed However, held since did it. 2281. Court, therefore, remanded portion single judge. 807. disposition petitioner's presently us. (1973). attached affidavit, signed assistant attorney, stating unable institute 'due caselaw construing inapplicable children.' course, true 'Congress confer III render advisory opinions,' 732 3, 1365, Congress enact statutes creating rights, invasion even though exist statute. Trafficante Metropolitan Life 205, 212, 364, 368, 34 415 (1972) (White, J., concurring); Hardin Kentucky Utilities 651, 654, 19 787 One leading commentators written, 'Even past cluttered confused almost every proposition exception, major exception: standing.' K. Davis, Administrative Law Text 428—429 (3d ed. 1972). noted Term '(t)he adversely affected insulate executive review, prevent interests through process.' 740, 1368. That observation fully applicable here. stated, 'the constitutionality prosecuted, unfairly F.Supp., 806. Since dispose lack intimate view claim.

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