Document: 112 S.Ct. 1827 504 U.S. 158 118 L.Ed.2d Howard WYATT, Petitionerv.Bill COLE and John Robbins, II. No. 91-126. Argued Jan. 14, 1992. Decided May 18, Syllabus With the assistance of respondent an attorney, Cole filed a complaint under Mississippi replevin statute against his partner, petitioner Wyatt. After refused to comply with state court order return Wyatt property seized statute, brought suit in Federal District Court 42 U.S.C. § 1983, challenging statute's constitutionality seeking injunctive relief damages. Among other things, held unconstitutional assumed that was subject liability Lugar v. Edmondson Oil Co., 457 922, 102 2744, 73 482, which this ruled private defendants invoking replevin, garnishment, attachment statutes later declared act color law for 1983 purposes. The also intimated that, but did not decide whether, Robbins liability. However, had left open question whether are entitled qualified immunity from such cases, see id., at 942, n. 23, S.Ct., 2756, respondents were least conduct arising prior invalidation. Appeals affirmed grant without revisiting their Held: 1. Qualified suit, as enunciated by respect government officials, is available charged or statutes. Immunity so firmly rooted common supported strong policy reasons create inference Congress meant incorporate it into 1983. See, e.g., Owen City Independence, 445 622, 637, 100 1398, 1408, 63 673. Even if there sufficient support conclude should be good-faith and/or probable-cause defense suits unjustified harm out misuse governmental processes, would still entitle what they obtained courts below: type objectively determined, immediately appealable, accorded officials under, Harlow Fitzgerald, 800, 2727, 396, Mitchell Forsyth, 472 511, 105 2806, 86 411. Moreover, concerns mandating cases need preserve officials' ability perform discretionary functions ensure talented candidates deterred threat damage entering public service—are applicable parties. Although may faced Lugar, supra, could affirmative defense, private, rather than governmental, parties require plaintiffs carry additional burdens, those issues neither before nor decided here. Pp. 1831-1834. 2. On remand, must least, respondents, acted within meaning supra. P. 1834. 928 F.2d 718 (CA5 1991), reversed remanded. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. concurring opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., dissenting SOUTER THOMAS, Jim Waide, Tupelo, Miss., petitioner. Joseph L. McNamara, Jackson, respondents. Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 In 482 (1982), we suit. Id., 23. We now hold not. 2 * This dispute arises soured cattle partnership. July 1986, Bill sought dissolve partnership When no agreement reached, Cole, II, Wyatt, accompanied bond $18,000. 3 At time, provided individual obtain seizure possessed another posting swearing applicant property, adversary "wrongfully took detain[ed] wrongfully detain[ed]" property. 1975 Miss.Gen.Laws, ch. 508, gave judge discretion deny writ replevin. 4 presented bond, ordered County Sheriff seize 24 head cattle, tractor, certain personal Several months later, after postseizure hearing, dismissed Cole's returned comply, damages Sheriff, deputies involved seizure. 5 failure afford judges writs violated due process. 710 F.Supp. 180, 183 (SD Miss.1989).1 It on ground immunity. App. 17-18. even otherwise liable 14. Fifth Circuit Court's defendants. (1991). 6 granted certiorari, 502 ----, 47, 116 25 (1991), resolve conflict among Courts over threatened are, like Like Circuit, Eighth Eleventh Circuits have determined See Buller Buechler, 706 844, 850-852 (CA8 1983); Jones Preuit & Mauldin, 851 1321, 1323-1325 (CA11 1988) (en banc), vacated grounds, 489 1002, 109 1105, 103 170 (1989). First Ninth Circuits, however, circumstances, acting Downs Sawtelle, 574 1, 15-16 (CA1), cert. denied, 439 910, 99 278, 58 255 (1978); Conner Santa Ana, 897 1487, 1492, 9 (CA9), 498 111 59, 34 (1990); Howerton Gabica, 708 380, 385, 10 (CA9 1983). Sixth has rejected sued established good faith defense. Duncan Peck, 844 1261 (CA6 1988). II 7 Title provides cause action "[e]very person who, any . State subjects, causes subjected, citizen deprivation rights, privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws. ." purpose deter actors using badge authority deprive individuals federally guaranteed rights provide victims deterrence fails. Carey Piphus, 435 247, 254-257, 98 1042, 1047-1049, 55 252 (1978). 8 considered scope context prejudgment attachment, case, who attached debtor's assets pursuant constitutionally infirm. Noting our use laws secure constitute "state action" purposes Fourteenth Amendment, 932-935, 2751-2752, state-created "under law" actions "fairly attributable State." 937, 2753. requirement satisfied, held, two conditions met. First, "deprivation caused exercise some right privilege created rule imposed whom responsible." Ibid. Second, party "acted together significant aid officials" engaged "otherwise chargeable found potential because scheme defendants, attach disputed "willful participant[s] joint activity its agents." 941, 2756 (internal quotation marks omitted). Citing therefore Wyatt's process rights. 12. noted while taken attorney representing client "does normally conspire depriving rights." 13. determine liable, both 13-14. review first instance, doing, followed one Folsom Investment Co. Moore, 681 1032 1982), "a defendant invoked monetary long he knew reasonably known unconstitutional." 1037. based holding grounds. viewed existence probable torts malicious prosecution wrongful evidence "Congress enacting intended resorted legal process." 1038. acknowledged same immunity, maintained "transfor[m] extant time 1983's passage immunity." derived official "the important interest permitting ordinary citizens rely presumptively valid laws, shielding when resort unconstitutional, protecting role marginal." defending decision below, advance arguments put forward Folsom. Neither availing. III 11 Section "creates species tort face admits immunities." Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, 417, 96 984, 988, 47 128 (1976). Nonetheless, either absolute "tradition 'Congress specifically wished abolish doctrine.' " 673 (1980) (quoting Pierson Ray, 386 547, 555, 87 1213, 1218, 18 288 (1967)). If shielded enacted Civil Rights Act 1871—§ codified 1983—we infer legislative silence intend abrogate law. Tower Glover, 467 914, 920, 104 2820, 2824, 81 758 (1984); Imbler, U.S., 421, 990; Pulliam Allen, 466 522, 529, 1970, 1974, 80 565 (1984). Additionally, irrespective support, will recognize history counsel applying actions. Tower, 2824. 424-429, 992-994. 12 determining Act, look most closely analogous torts—in abuse law, these processes. C. Addison, Law Torts p. 65, ¶ 852, 2, 82, 868, (1876); T. Cooley, 187-190 (1879); J. Bishop, Commentaries Non-Contract §§ 228-250, pp. 91-103, 490, 218 (1889). 13 Respondents do contend instituted proceedings subsequently And reason; although prosecutors 421-424, 990-992, protection extend complaining witnesses set wheels motion instigating action. Malley Briggs, 475 335, 340-341, 106 1092, 1095-1096, 89 271 (1986) ("In 1871, generally accepted procured issuance arrest warrant submitting made maliciously cause"). 14 argue defeat malice cause, defenses 1871. adopted similar reasoning 555-557, 1218-1219. There, police officers false making believed valid. recognized peace arrested faith, innocence established. 15 rationale avail Pierson, them 396 (1982). 16 Harlow, altered standard "[t]he subjective element frequently [had] prove[n] incompatible admonition insubstantial claims proceed trial." 815-816, 2737. Because attendant harms effectiveness lengthy judicial inquiry motivation, concluded "bare allegations suffice costs trial burdens broad-reaching discovery." 817-818, 2738. Accordingly, performing "liability civil insofar [did] violate clearly statutory constitutional reasonable known." 818, wholly objective standard, concluded, "avoid excessive disruption permit resolution many summary judgment." 17 That "completely reformulated along principles all embodied Anderson Creighton, 483 635, 645, 107 3034, 3042, 97 523 (1987), reinforced 411 (1985). "immunity mere liability," which, "is effectively lost case erroneously permitted go 526, 2815 (emphasis supplied). Thus, denial appealable. 530, 2817. appealable asserted below.2 But, precedents make clear, recognizing simply special suing officials. 813, 2735; Mitchell, 2815. Reviewing concerns, rationales 19 strikes balance between compensating been injured government's traditional functions. 819, 2738; 554, 1217; Anderson, 638, 3038. where necessary serve service. Wood Strickland, 420 308, 319, 95 992, 999, 43 214 (1975) (denial school board 'would contribute principled fearless decision-making intimidation' ") 1218); Butz Economou, 438 478, 506, 2894, 2911, 57 895 (1978) (immunity Presidential aides warranted partly "to protect required related encouraging vigorous authority"); designed prevent 'distraction duties, inhibition action, able people service' 816, 2737). short, acts safeguard government, thereby large, benefit agents. 20 These transferable equality fairness suggest, argue, unsuspectingly reason believe invalid liability, counterparts, interests sufficiently justify expansion. Unlike members, Wood, officers, (1986), aides, Butz, office requiring discretion; principally concerned enhancing good. extending bearing forcefully decisively jobs applicants enter unlike functions, unduly impaired disputes. nexus historic too attenuated extension doctrine 21 For reasons, can offer today. certiorari very narrow one: "[W]hether persons, officials." Pet. Cert. i. precise issue encompassed question, only lower courts, garnishment statute. answer no. holding, foreclose possibility burdens. fairly us, leave day. Cf. Yee Escondido, --- ---- - 1522, 1532-34, 153 (1992). IV 22 As indicated above, never revisited instead overturn judgment, remand since remains remanded consistent opinion. 23 ordered. SCALIA joins, concurring. I join find further separate statement my views required. 26 agree THE CHIEF JUSTICE writes dissent respecting historical origins jurisprudence submit us requires reverse majority holds. Indeed, result reached quite consistent, view, proper application relates. 27 Both original decisions limitations existing enacted. ante, 163-164; post, 176-177. Tenney Brandhove, 341 367, 376, 71 783, 788, L.Ed. 1019 (1951) eradicated legislators 1218-19, (1967), described "defense cause," belief constitutional. 557, 1219. allowed common-law tort, evolved modern qualified-immunity doctrine. Ante, 165-166. 28 Our analogy, rules "freewheeling choice[s]." 342, 1096, (1986). involving adhere granting extent practice. Id.; Burns Reed, 500 1934, 1940, 114 547 (1991); Hafer Melo, 358, 363, 301 diverged substantial degree standards. replacing reasonableness action." (1987). transformation justified exposure repeated suits. 813-814, 2735-36; today's argues considerations standards private-party Post, 179-180. cannot agree. 29 appropriate depart name policy, reshaping doctrines light considerations. But approach contexts. judgment difficult regarding factual intent, plaintiff bore burden proof question; relied fact adopting 815-819, 2736-39. subsequent clarifications summary-judgment alleviated problem, allowing entered nonmoving "who fails showing establish essential party's bear Celotex Corp. Catrett, 477 317, 322, 2548, 2552, 91 265 Under forth strength bad tested stage. 30 remembered whose adopt, devising remedial Congress, "on does Malley, 1096-97 original). imported past conclusion principles. 637-638, 1408-09, (1980). suggests, transform existed notions efficiency. 31 My conclusions consequence JUSTICE. commenced here 176. actions, prove wrong doer cause. 176, states, something misnomer describe creating defense; essence itself, elements tort. show challenged undertaken unlawful purpose, though ill towards plaintiff. 232, 92 To absence person, knowing did, well-grounded, 239, 95. subject, beginning diverge ways. acknowledges, turn upon defendant. 178, diverges model defendant, plaintiff, issue. Supra, page. 32 impose requirements implications, though, well beyond determination better position proof. implicates law's definition itself. lay injury knowledge baseless. cast terms imply committed redressed. difference fundamental, stake concept society considers Beneath nomenclature lie substance. 33 Government. distinct, say, merits plaintiff's inquiry, jury, interlocutory appeal Whether correct respects agents ought adopt automatic analysis applies persons. 166-167, By casting underlying unlawful, debatable proposition reliance defined eliminate demonstration faith. part gone far proving lack defendant's beliefs almost always jury. Stewart Sonneborn, 187, 194, (1879). true standpoint test. why describes instances turns intent exceptional case. Ibid.; mean, opportunity eliminating real difference, again instant alleged deemed example. seems problematic say relieved invalidity. plaintiff's, resolved come facts inferred. one, circumstantial direct Siegert Gilley, 1789, 1795, 277 (1991) (KENNEDY, judgment). course works reverse, thought allow exoneration matter test is. 35 distinction draw individual's unconstitutionality, law; circumstances shown through Birdsall Smith, Mich. 390, 394, 122 N.W. 626, 627 (1909). Thus exception. 36 nothing contrary 169 ("we burdens"). Though "good immunity," treated 12-14; 718, 721-722 1991). particular placed heavy favoring presumed latter recognizes goes mainly reasonableness. understand unequivocal finding Furthermore, 168, Fitzgerald. view might triable save him theory eliminates just construct man different way. 37 So proceedings. 38 JUSTICE, THOMAS join, dissenting. 39 notes circumstances. similarly situated enjoyed (ante, 163-164). second suggest 166-167). requirements, explained decisions, satisfied here, dissent. 40 think clear adopted, process.1 authorities cited 164; 1095-96, (noting cause"); (1967) officer own arrest). willing assume much 165), thinks insufficient sustain respondents' claim "qualified immunity" seek equivalent "defense" 165-166). 41 errs suggesting availability adoption rely, escape goodfaith, large best ambiguous "immunity." Compare 556, 1218 (criticizing concluding "immunity" available) 1219 (recognizing "defense"). Any initial ambiguity, certainly eliminated cases; doubt entitled. 340, 1095. Similarly, 318, (1975), "[a]lthough differing emphases formulations general recognition precedent establishes does, fact, contemporary claiming context. While refuse it, 164, am loss accomplished decision—other needlessly fastidious adherence nomenclature—given acknowledges assert remand. presumably defense—either supra; W. Prosser, Handbook 120, 854 (4th ed. 1971). element, "maliciousness," encompasses bringing Stewart, 192-193; 855. often includes success likely. (1876) ("[P]roof truth charge malice"). "probable focuses 194; 854. successfully defend establishing someone precisely entitles 2738, (1982) (official "violate known").2 44 Nor early be. Provided dispute, presence cause" 193-194; 853, (p); 240, premised encouraged claims. Perhaps believes less amenable disposition "immunity;" perhaps submitted jury (see referring "proceed[ing] trial"). (given question), true, manage increase litigation hapless 45 This, turn, leads basis previously immunity—reasons policy. Assuming practical step dictated desirable. points out, abandoning strictly needs issue—whether (or completely unrelated) well. 46 reasons. normal presumption attaches benefitted remedy, turning form lawless, relief. denying discouraging reliance, expresses confidence "unduly impai[r]," ibid., interest. share confidence. peradventure validity. 1032, 1037-1038 1982). arrest, lot "not unhappy" forgo recovery properly recoverable processes "mulcted damages" mistaken. pointed passing strange invoke Edmonson yet entitled, employees. Buller, 851. strangeness laid doorstep 943, (Burger, dissenting); 944-956, 2757-63 (Powell, dissenting), down path. afield indeed, subjects greater risk despite cloak protected infringement." 948, 2759 added). also, Monroe Pape, 365 167, 175-176, 473, 477-78, 492 (1961). 48 sound amended 1990. Miss.Code Ann. 11-37-101 (Supp.1991). arguing mixes apples oranges. dissent's her case-in-chief somehow construed 'defense,' Harlow. One failed she affirmatively want Alternatively, accepts characterization then likewise leap: partially included component—probable cause—private objectively-determined, immediately-appealable Describing providing misnomer—under 184-185 225, 90 Referring having useful shorthand capturing notion avoid There small inquiry. actual amount (an inquiry) lacked sincere (a inquiry). relying belief, exceptional. (1879) (describing exception rule). base contemporary,

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