Document: 446 U.S. 635 100 S.Ct. 1920 64 L.Ed.2d 572 Carlos Rivera GOMEZ, Petitioner,v.Astol Calero TOLEDO. No. 79-5601. Argued April 16, 1980. Decided May 27, Syllabus Held: In an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against a public official whose position might entitle him to qualified immunity, the plaintiff is not required allege that defendant acted in bad faith order state claim for relief, but burden on plead good as affirmative defense. By 1983's plain terms, make only two allegations cause of statute: (1) some person deprived federal right, and (2) such color or territorial law. This allocation pleading supported by nature qualified-immunity defense, since whether immunity has been established depends facts peculiarly within defendant's knowledge control, applicable test focusing he objectively reasonable basis his belief conduct was lawful also subjective belief. Pp. 638-641. 602 F.2d 1018 (1st Cir.), reversed remanded. Michael Avery, Boston, Mass., petitioner. Federico A. Cedo-Alzamora, San Juan, P. R., respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 The question presented whether, must relief or, alternatively, 2 * Petitioner Gomez this respondent, Superintendent Police Commonwealth Puerto Rico, contending respondent had violated right procedural due process discharging from employment with Department's Bureau Criminal Investigation.1 Basing jurisdiction 28 1343(3),2 petitioner alleged following complaint.3 employed agent Rican police 1968. 1975, submitted sworn statement supervisor which asserted other agents offered false evidence use criminal case their investigation. As result statement, immediately transferred Investigation Corps Southern Area Headquarters few weeks later Academy Gurabo, where given no investigative authority. meantime ordered investigation petitioner's claims, Legal Division Department concluded all factual were true. 3 1976, while still stationed at Academy, subpoenaed give testimony arising out be false. At trial petitioner, appearing defense witness, testified fact testimony, charges, filed information furnished allegedly unlawful wiretapping agents' telephones. Respondent suspended 1976 discharged without hearing July. October, District Court Rico found probable believe guilty and, upon appeal prosecution, Superior affirmed. turn sought review discharge before Investigation, Prosecution, Appeals Commission which, after hearing, revoked rendered reinstated back pay. 4 Based foregoing allegations, suit damages, process, it caused anxiety, embarrassment, injury reputation community. answer, denied number several defenses. then moved dismiss complaint failure action, see Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 12(b)(6), granted motion. Observing entitled acts done scope duties, part that, committing actions alleged, motivated faith. absence any allegation, held, dismissal complaint. United States First Circuit (1979).4 5 We certiorari resolve conflict among Courts Appeals.5 444 1031, 701, 62 666 (1980). now reverse. II 6 Section provides "the deprivation rights, privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws" acting "under statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, State Territory." 1983.6 enacted aid " 'the preservation human liberty rights,' Owen v. City Independence, 445 622, 636, 1398, 1408, 63 673 (1980), quoting Cong.Globe, 42d Cong., 1st Sess., App. 68 (1871) (Rep. Shellabarger), reflects congressional judgment "damages remedy offending party vital component scheme vindicating cherished constitutional guarantees," U.S., 651, S.Ct., 1415. remedial legislation, construed generously further its primary purpose. See 1407-08. 7 certain limited circumstances, we have held officers are damages liability 1983. conclusion based unwillingness infer legislative silence intention abrogate both "well common law" "compatible purposes Civil Rights Act." 638, 1409. Findings thus "predicated considered inquiry into historically accorded relevant law interests behind it." Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, 421, 96 984, 990, 47 128 (1976). Pierson Ray, 386 547, 555, 87 1213, 1218, 18 288 (1967), example, officer would "excus[ed] statute reasonably believed valid unconstitutional, face applied." And contexts "[c]ommon-law tradition . strong public-policy reasons," Wood Strickland, 420 308, 318, 95 992, 999, 43 214 (1975), categories executive should allowed those lawful. Procunier Navarette, 434 98 855, 55 24 (1978) (prison officials); O'Connor Donaldson, 422 563, 2486, 45 396 (1975) (superintendent hospital); supra (local school board members); Scheuer Rhodes, 416 232, 94 1683, 40 90 (1974) (state Governor officers). Cf. (no municipalities). 8 Nothing language history 1983, however, suggests if faith, relief. terms two—and two—allegations statute. First, right. Second, who Monroe Pape, 365 167, 171, 81 473, 475, 492 (1961). made allegations. He Board Regents Roth, 408 564, 92 2701, 33 548 (1972), supra, 172-187, 476-484.7 9 Moreover, never indicated existence plaintiff's action; instead described available question. 562, 859; 556, 557, 1219; Butz Economou, 438 478, 508, 2894, 2911, 57 895 (1978). Since rests defendant. 8(c) (defendant "matter constituting avoidance defense"); C. Wright & Miller, Federal Practice Procedure 1271 (1969). It justified imposing obligation anticipate stating 10 Our our decisions clear, control Thus stated "[i]t grounds formed time light coupled good-faith belief, affords performed course conduct." 247-248, 1692. focuses "[t]he himself [is] sincerely doing right," 321, 1000. There may way know advance indeed, will even does. frequently factors cannot expected know. For official's local law, advice counsel, administrative practice, factor alone aware. To impose ignore elementary contrary practice analogous areas law.8 11 decision reversed, remanded court proceedings consistent opinion. 12 so ordered. 13 REHNQUIST joins Court, reading does leave open issue persuasion, opposed pleading, respect immunity. originally named additional defendants, consented action. 14, n. 1. That section grants district courts "[t]o redress deprivation, custom privilege Act Congress providing equal rights citizens persons States." stage proceedings, course, accepted accord earlier Circuit. See, e. g., Gaffney Silk, 488 1248 (1973); Kostka Hogg, 560 37 (1977); Maiorana MacDonald, 596 1072 (1979). Other lies Bivens Six Unknown Named Agents Narcotics, 456 1339, 1348 (CA2 1972); Skehan Trustees Bloomsburg College, 538 53, 61-62 (CA3) (en banc), cert. denied, 429 979, 97 490, 50 588 (1976); Bryan Jones, 530 1210, 1213 (CA5) 865, 174, 145 Jones Perrigan, 459 81, 83 (CA6 Tritsis Backer, 501 1021, 1022-1023 (CA7 1974); Landrum Moats, 576 1320, 1324-1325, 1329 (CA8), 439 912, 99 282, 58 258 (1978); Martin Duffie, 463 464, 468 (CA10 Dellums Powell, 184 U.S.App.D.C. 275, 284-285, 566 175-176 (1977), 916, 3146, 1161 McCray Burrell, 516 357, 370 (CA4 1975) banc) (burden proof), dism'd, 426 471, 2640, 48 788 Gilker Baker, 245 (CA9 1978) (same). full: "Every who, Territory, subjects, causes subjected, citizen thereof laws, shall liable injured equity, proper proceeding redress." Actions come jurisdictional predicate, 1343(3). Examining Flores de Otero, 572, 2264, 49 65 Dean Charles Clark over years ago: "It seems fair types things matters confession avoidance—i. e., seemed more less admit general yet suggest reason why there right—must specifically pleaded rule." ABA, Proceedings Institute Washington Symposium New York Rules (1939). §§ 1270-1271 FTC E. Staley Mfg. Co., 324 746, 759, 971, 977, 89 L.Ed. 1338 (1945) (good-faith Robinson-Patman Act); Barcellona Tiffany English Pub. Inc., 597 (CA5 1979); Cohen Ayers, 733, 739-740 Kroll, 547 393 1977).

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