Document: 449 U.S. 155 101 S.Ct. 446 66 L.Ed.2d 358 WEBB'S FABULOUS PHARMACIES, INC. et al., Appellants,v.Arthur H. BECKWITH, Jr., Clerk of the Circuit Court, etc. No. 79-1033. Argued Oct. 13, 14, 1980. Decided Dec. 9, Syllabus 1 Held: Appellee county's taking as its own, under authority a Florida statute, interest accruing on an interpleader fund deposited in registry county court was violative Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, where fee, based amount principal prescribed by another also charged for clerk's services receiving into registry, concededly private required statute order depositor to avail itself statutory protection from claims creditors others. Neither Legislature nor courts judicial decree may accomplish result sought simply recharacterizing "public money" because it held temporarily court. The earnings are incidents ownership property just is property. Pp. 159-165. 2 374 So.2d 951, reversed. 3 Harry A. Stewart, Sanford, Fla., appellees. 4 Harvey M. Alper, Altamonte Springs, appellants. 5 BLACKMUN, Justice. 6 This case presents issue whether constitutional take state court, when registry. which object challenge here Fla.Stat. § 28.33 (1977).1 7 * On February 12, 1976, appellant Eckerd's College Park, Inc., entered agreement purchase $1,812,145.77 substantially all assets Webb's Fabulous Pharmacies, Inc. Both corporations. At closing, debts appeared be greater than price. Accordingly, protect permitted Bulk Transfers Act, 676.106(4) (1977),2 filed complaint Court Seminole County, interpleading defendants both (almost 200 number) tendering price 8 Pursuant 676.106(4), thereupon ordered that tendered paid court's clerk deposit "in assignable interest-bearing account at highest interest." App. 4a. specifically reserved decision entitlement, between creditors, earned while so deposited, stating transfer without prejudice creditors' interest. Id., 4a-5a. sum July id., 6a, official proceeded make investment. 9 deducted $9,228.74 his 28.24(14) (1977),3 "for rendered" "receiving money court." directed, calculated upon placed is, 1% first $500, 1/2% remainder. 10 5, 1977, almost year after tender payment, own motion4 appointed receiver Webb's. Among receiver's stated duties were determination number against preparation filing with list those claims. 9a. motion directing deliver him. 12a. granted, 14a, fund, reduced fee $40,200 had been out pursuant order, 21. clerk, but not turned over receiver, then exceeded $90,000. Interest thereafter retained brought total more $100,000. Tr. Oral Arg. 34. It this aggregate subject matter present litigation. Appellants no objection taken 28.24(14). 6; Brief 6, 9. 11 moved direct pay accumulated receiver. 22a, 26a, 33a. ruled favorably holding "is entitled any earned, accrued or received monies Court's order. . .; herein rightful parties such Court." 35a. 12 County appealed District Appeal. That transferred cause Supreme Florida. per curiam opinion one justice dissenting part, "constitutional" reversed judgment Court. 951 (1979). rationale "considered 'public money' " date until leaves account; "the takes only what creates"; "[t]here unconstitutional circuit property." 952-953.5 13 Because elsewhere appropriation funds action taking, Sellers v. Harris 483 S.W.2d 242 (Tex.1972); see McMillan Robeson 262 N.C. 413, 137 S.E.2d 105 (1964), we noted probable jurisdiction. 445 925, 100 1310, 63 757 (1980). II 14 once apparent Florida's statutes would allow respondent exact two tolls rendered," 28.24 recites, office determined deposited. 15 second retention amount, excess $100,000, consisting "[a]ll moneys deposited." toll exacted 28.33's provision "shall deemed income 16 An initial reading might prompt conclude that, far concerns entitlement interest, applies clearly owned (such charges certifications) does apply direction statute. however, has read otherwise funds. State's within competency, must interpreted. III 17 pertinent words Amendment Constitution United States familiar ones: "nor shall public use, compensation." prohibition, course, through Amendment. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. 166 226, 239, 581, 585-86, 41 L.Ed. 979 (1897); Penn Central Transportation New York City, 438 104, 122, 98 2646, 2658, 57 631 (1978). Our task determine exaction amounted "taking"—it obviously uncompensated Amendment's proscription. 18 plainly property, County. rule Florida, Phipps Watson, 108 Fla. 547, 551, 147 So. 234, 235 (1933), well elsewhere. See Coudert States, 175 178, 20 56, 44 122 (1899); Branch 673, 25 759 (1880); S.W.2d, 243. We do understand appellees contend fund's concerned. 19 Appellees submit, 26, 29—and accept proposition—that, apart law require deposit. So.2d, 953. We, further proposition, pressed us appellees, "[p]roperty interests created Constitution. Rather, they their dimensions defined existing rules understandings stem independent source law. ." Board Regents Roth, 408 564, 577, 92 2701, 2709, 33 548 (1972). But mere unilateral expectation abstract need protection. See, example, Fox River Paper Railroad Comm'n, 274 651, 47 669, 71 1279 (1927); Willow Power Co., 324 499, 65 761, 89 1101 (1945). supra; Andrus Allard, 444 51, 318, 62 210 expectation. assets. ultimate benefit county. And purpose making fair distribution among creditors. Eventually, inevitably, less proper authorized distributed recognized thus state-created right respective portions fund. 21 true, none creditor claimants ordered. Aron Snyder, 90 U.S.App.D.C. 325, 327, 196 F.2d 38, 40, cert. denied, 344 854, 73 92, 97 663 (1952). lack immediate right, automatically bar claimant ultimately share claiming fruit realized interim. To sure, establishes having mandated accrual mean State designate assume 22 therefore turn issue. What justify interest? obvious services, obligation satisfied substantial described services" office. Section 28.33, contrast, way relates speaks "services rendered." Indeed, if officials feel inherent pressure possess natural inclination defer distribution, return longer held; there be, therefore, built-in disincentive distributing it. 23 usual general interpleaded follows allocated who owners principal. e. g., James Talcott, Allahabad Bank, Ltd., 451, 463 (CA5), denied sub nom. City Trade Industries, Ltd. 404 940, 280, 30 253 (1971); Murphy Travelers Ins. 534 1155, 1165 (CA5 1976); In re Brooks Woodington, 505 794, 799 (CA7 1974); N.C., 417, S.E.2d, 108; 243; Southern Oregon Gage, Or. 424, 433, 197 P. 276, 279 (1921); Law Library Trustees Lowery, 67 Cal.App.2d 480, 154 P.2d 719 (1945); Kiernan Cleland, Idaho 200, 273 938 (1929).6 24 ruling contrary long established rule, relied theory have invest some assumes status time account, "takes creates." Then conclusion 952-953. permissive upholding governmental deny owner beneficial use restrict owner's full exploitation justified promoting welfare. U.S., 64-68, S.Ct., 326-328; 125-129, 2660-2662. 26 Here, merely "adjust[ed] benefits burdens economic life promote common good." 124, 2659. forced contribution revenues, reasonably related costs using courts. "[t]he guarantee designed Government forcing people alone bear which, fairness justice, should borne whole." Armstrong 364 49, 80 1563, 1569, 1554 (1960). 27 No police power justification offered deprivation. suggest reasonable basis sustain analogous Causby, 328 256, 1062, 1206 (1946). There found "taking" Government's air space above claimant's land part flight pattern military aircraft, destroying chicken farm. "Causby emphasized 'merely destroyed [but was] planes.' Central, 128, 266, quoting 262-263, n. 7, 1066, 7. 28 decree, seeks practical effect appropriating value period 29 put way: State, ipse dixit, transform compensation, even limited duration very kind thing Taking Clause meant prevent. stands shield arbitrary power. IV hold narrow circumstances separate distinct authorizing deposited; private; others County's unto itself, 1973 Fla.Laws, ch. 73-282, Amendments. express view constitutionality prescribes renders. 31 32 enacted 1, reads part: "The each estimate projected financial needs designated depository banks certificates obligations compliance federal laws relating receipt withdrawal deposits. Moneys discretion guidelines. All investing same accounts other fees commissions Each shall, soon practicable end fiscal year, report governing investments during preceding year." (Emphasis supplied.) derives Uniform Commercial Code, reads: "A transferee ten days possession goods, discharge section transferor place business [§] 676.104. event consideration goods free clear file 28.24, force, following rendered recording documents instruments performing enumerated: "(14) For court: "(a) First $500.00, percent.................................... "(b) subsequent $100.00, percent..........................1/2" since amended ways relevant appellants acted sua sponte continuing insistence being bring controversy end. 10. Although entirely presented propriety claim raised p. memorandum support remit (p. 77 Original Record Appeal). memorandum, contains least reference "pertinent provisions Federal counterpart" (emphasis original), ibid., "due process" arguments beginning reply memorandum. Furthermore, granting nunc pro tunc correcting omission record, "are extent thereof pertain pending litigation case." 40a-41a. event, appears 4. While specific opinion, spoke argument "constitutes either due process unlawful tax," 952, "no taking." upheld challenges. sufficient base oral conceded coupon bonds, rather cash, coupons follow could claimed 28.33. 31.

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