Document: 420 U.S. 77 95 S.Ct. 870. 43 L.Ed.2d 32 HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT et al., Appellants,v.Richard E. MOORE al. No. 73—1475. Argued Nov. 11, 1974. Decided Feb. 18, 1975. Syllabus Appellee justices of the peace and constables, threatened with removal before their elected terms expired, brought this action in federal court, challenging on due process equal protection grounds constitutionality a Texas statute providing, inter alia, that when boundaries certain precincts are changed more than allotted number or constables reside within district offices shall become vacant be filled as other vacancies. Under constitutional provisions (a) justice constable 'shall hold his office for four years until successor qualified,' (b) such officers may removed by state court judges various causes after notice jury trial. A three-judge Federal District Court held violated removing some county but not others, ordered appellee officials' reinstatement. Held: In view unsettled law to whether ensure tenure expire even challenged would require ouster, should have abstained from deciding issue, it being far under precedents officeholders must lose jobs reinstatement relief is available. Pp. 82-89. 378 F.Supp. 1006, reversed remanded. Edward J. Landry, Houston, Tex., appellants. C. Anthony Friloux, Jr., John G. Gilleland, appellees. Opinion Mr. Justice MARSHALL, announced Chief BURGER. 1 The appellees challenge plan redistricting Harris County, Tex. Because provided consolidation several precincts, three two lost jobs. These five officials, along voters defunct sought enjoin implementation ground providing at time denied them laws. granted relief, declaring unconstitutional enjoining redistricting. order was stayed Powell. We motion vacate stay, 415 905, 94 1398, 39 462 (1974), subsequently noted probable jurisdiction, 417 928, 2637, 41 231 (1974). reverse remand instructions dismiss complaint without prejudice. 2 * law, Commissioners general governing body each county; one its duties divide into election redistrict necessary. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., Art. 2351(1) (1971). 3 June 1973, County adopted eight county. last had taken place 1876, enormous population changes Houston area resulted gross disparities among precincts: largest precinct contained approximately million persons, while smallest fewer 7,000. 4 old plan, were assigned except largest, which constable. apparent discrepancy workload officials different redrew lines. Although proposed new still varied substantially size, disparity much less been. 5 Among changes, consolidated parts others single precinct. As result, found themselves residents precinct, entitled maximum only peace. Pursuant statute, 2351 1/2(c), (1971), declared posts vacant, since there living positions available.1 then vacancies, Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. 2355 appointing displaced post positions. nonincumbent appointed fill slot. 6 officeholders, prior expiration terms, resorted an effort block plan. One filed suit application temporary injunction, he apparently abandoned action. Shortly thereafter, who lived United States Southern Texas, claiming scheme unconstitutional. Their pursuant 1/2(c) Due Process Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment, contended. More specifically, they argued constitutionally invalid because did meet 'one man, vote' standards, full effect votes, redrawn racial expressly raise statelaw claim complaint,2 pretrial brief State Constitution well, relying state-court cases opinions Attorney General. response, appellants requested dismissed raised no substantial questions failed exhaust remedies bringing court.3 7 convened. It heard argument issued later same day. order, asserted jurisdiction enjoined plaintiff face. week opinion wrote insofar shortens term public official merely places him 'it invidiously irrationally discriminates between so affected.' addition, applied discriminated those voted vote where permitted serve term. compelling interest served middle plaintiffs' terms,4 extent persons prevented plaintiffs carrying out receiving salaries remainder invalid.5 II 8 urge us merits or, alternative, abstain pending determination state-law pervade case.6 we agree abstained, reaching sustained Court. 9 Railroad Comm'n v. Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 L.Ed. 971 (1941), premised question stay hand provide courts apportunity settle underlying thus avoid possibility unnecessarily question. Since decision, invoked 'Pullman doctrine' numerous occasions. E.g., Lake Carriers' Assn. MacMullan, 406 498, 92 1749, 257 (1972); Askew Hargrave, 401 476, 91 856, 28 196 (1971); Reetz Bozanich, 397 82, 90 788, 25 68 (1970); Harrison NAACP, 360 167, 79 1025, 1152 (1959); Spector Motor Service, Inc. McLaughlin, 323 101, 65 152, 89 101 (1944); see Field, Abstention Constitutional Cases: Scope Doctrine, 122 U.Pa.L.Rev. 1071, 1084—1101 repeatedly warned, however, delays inherent abstention danger valuable rights might absence expeditious adjudication 'special circumstances,' Zwickler Koota, 389 241, 248, 88 391, 395, 19 444 (1967), upon careful consideration facts case. Baggett Bullitt, 377 360, 375—379, 84 1316, 1324—1327, 12 (1964); supra, 500, S.Ct., 645. 10 Where will likely resolve claim, regularly abstention. See supra; Albertson Millard, 345 242, 73 600, 97 983 (1953); Chicago Fieldcrest Dairies, Inc., 316 168, 173, 62 986, 988, 86 1355 (1942); cf. Meredith Winter Haven, 320 228, 236, 64 7, (1943).7 Similarly, concerned matters peculiarly province local courts, Fornaris Ridge Tool 400 41, 156, 27 174 Louisiana Power & Light Co. City Thibodaux, 25, 1070, 1058 (1959), inclined toward On hand, litigation has already been long delayed, Hostetter Idlewild Bon Voyage Liquor Corp., 324, 329, 1293, 1296, 350 (1964), seemed unlikely resolution significantly affect Atchison, T. S.F.R. 357 77, 84, 78 1063, 1067, 1174 (1958); Public Utilities Fuel Gas 317 456, 463, 63 369, 373—374, 87 396 (1943), required. 11 call most insistently turns meaning unclear law. If construe fashion need ruling otherwise modify strong. Kusper Pontikes, 414 51, 303, 38 260 (1973); Harman Forssenius, 380 528, 1177, 14 50 (1965); supra. considerations apply where, case, uncertain status stems relationship constitution statute.8 Here permits replace live define scope and, consequence, nature continued vitality claim. U.S., 87, 790, 'the nub whole controversy constitution.' insist improper case construction passed Having analyzed relevant statutes, provisions, precedents, unable share conviction. 13 provides qualified.' 5, § 18. Justices causes, trial jury. 24. What these completion midterm outside original puts complement officeholders. early cases, guarantee elects exercise authority. ex rel. Dowlen Rigsby, 17 Tex.Civ.App. 171, S.W. 271, holding approved, 351, 1101 (1897); Ward Bond, S.W.2d 590 (Tex.Ct.Civ.App. 1928). Supreme appeared stand approving lower decision guaranteed commissioners right if precincts. Childress Sachse, 310 (Tex.Ct.Civ.App.), 158 371, (1958). shortly hearing General reasoning Sachse ruled vacated longer invalid.9 concluded entitles unless Op.Atty.Gen. H—220 General's appear extend case.10 contend misconstrued seems settled jobs.11 15 difficult intrude yet another way strengthens proper entered applicability claims depend directly court's initial altogether. opinion, intended narrow somewhat, Yet broader support. Absent well dictate redistricting, all vacated.12 automatically imposed remedy—reinstatement—when quite another—removal affected limited itself unconstitutional, determined vacated,13 forced resort vindicate claimed short, character availability turn large part questions. 'entangled skein untangled can proceed,' McNeese Board Education, 373 668, 674, 83 1433, 1437, 622 (1963), conclude erred adopting appellants' suggestion abstain. 16 remove any possible obstacles direct complaint.14 dismissal prejudice remaining forum given opportunity address England Medical Examiners, 375 411, 421—422, 461, 467—468, 440 (1964). Reversed 18 DOUGLAS, dissenting. principle abstention—judicially created (1941)—promises serious barrier assertion Congress bestowed them. present started 1973 Court, rendered judgment January 30, ousted expired December 31, 1974; 1976. After here office, now told start anew courts. They necessarily very rich else financed foundation—to able pay expense long, drawn-out litigation. 20 made up Thomas Gee, V. Singleton, Carl O. Bue, named versed idiosyncrasies agency, acting authority law,* officials. By remitting leave effective remedy short involved. I said 184, 1034, (1959) (dissenting opinion): 21 'We not—we not—give deference policy seeks undermine paramount fail perform duty judiciary Civil Rights Acts do so.' 22 like situation here. 23 Here, reason diversity citizenship, ordinarily decline conferred 'merely answers highest state,' 234—235, (1943). alternative course, held, 'would thwart purpose jurisdictional act,' id., 235, 11. 24 teaching greatly exaggerated No special circumstances warranting abdication shown. making panel whose decide know about us. doctrine announced. word warp woof judges, seasoned saw ambiguities, exotic unresolved, forthright eminently correct our local-law problem counseled 26 great disservice send tired exhausted litigants desert search Holy Grail keeping court. Article provides: 'When changed, existing altered, formed, former abolished, previously resides continue appointed. none therein, vacancy vacancies; provided, having justices, both vacant.' Another Tex.Elec.Code Ann., 1.05 (Supp.1974—1975), V.A.T.S. read school throughout districts serve. Whitmarsh Buckley, 324 298 (Tex.Ct.Civ.App.1959). commissioners, contrast, required terms. requires establishing requirement residence officers, Tex.Const., 16, 14; 24, excuse requirements 1.05. First Amended Complaint Declaratory Judgment, September 17, interpreted conflict Constitution, mechanism including constables. brief, properly characterized 'exhaustion' defense request point staggered mandated impossible redistricted fallen justices' constables' unnecessary reach appellees' contentions. Nor argument. appeal U.S.C. 1253. plainly statewide application; attacked face applied; purposes Three-Judge Act, 2281, defendant 'state officers' administering statute. Regents New Left Education Project, 404 541, 544 n. 2, 652, 654, 30 697 (1972). moreover, appears sufficient recently stated 'claims insubstantial decisions inescapably render frivolous; previous doubtful questionable merit 2281.' Goosby Osser, 409 512, 518, 93 854, 859, 35 36 (1973). Gibson Berryhill, 411 564, 580—581, 1689, 1698—1699, 488 (1973), required, though obviated injunctive Gibson, authorities pressing charges against awaiting results action, survived favorable circumstances, abuse discretion Wisconsin Constantineau, 433, 507, 515 declined complicated unresolved question, similar provision constitution. But integrated related regulations, calls clarifying interpretation Meridian Bell Tel. 358 639, 455, 562 (1959). allegation unconstitutionally vague revealing. 'vagueness' complain uncertainty particular situation; sort vagueness leaves subject what uncertain, often proper, goes obligations not, bring 'within bounds permissible certainty.' 378, 1326, Procunier Martinez, 416 396, 1800, 1805, 40 224 Opinions 'entitled generally regarded highly persuasive,' Jones Williams, 121 94, 98, 45 130, 131 (1931). 1974 close scrutiny earlier General, 12, infra. Even does legislative encroachment commissioners' powers vacancies course 28. M—68 (1967). reason, vacated, just occupied Obviously, drastically alter There support opinions. Brown Meeks, 96 839 1936); Ops.Atty.Gen. V—790 (1949); V—1032 (1950); WW—536 C—112 (1963). qualified manner affecting (1967); also M—562 (1970). fact Brief Appellants 18—20. Ordinarily ordering abstention' retain 244 4, 393, ruled, cannot grant declaratory retains over Services Life Ins. Delaney, 855 Romero Coldwell, 455 F.2d 1163, 1167 (CA5 1972); Barrett Atlantic Richfield 38, 45—46 Cir. 1971). unusual dismissing solely foreclosed return used means defeat Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann.,

Category: 8