Document: 407 U.S. 128 92 S.Ct. 2027 32 L.Ed.2d 600 James R. JAMES, Judicial Administrator, et al., Appellants,v.David E. STRANGE. No. 71—11. Argued March 22, 1972. Decided June 12, Syllabus Kansas recoupment statute enabling State to recover in subsequent civil proceedings legal defense fees for indigent defendants, invalidated by District Court as an infringement on the right counsel, held violate Equal Protection Clause that, virtue of statute, defendants are deprived array protective exemptions has erected other judgment debtors. Pp. 129—142. 323 F.Supp. 1230, affirmed. Edward G. Collister, Jr., Lawrence, Kan., appellants. John Wilkinson, Topeka, appellee. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents a constitutional challenge whereby may counsel and expended benefit defendants. The three-judge court below unconstitutional, finding it be impermissible burden upon established Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 9 799 (1963).1 appealed we noted jurisdiction, 404 982, 444, 30 365. 2 relevant facts not disputed. Appellee Strange was arrested charged with first-degree robbery under law. He appeared before magistrate, professed indigency, accepted appointed Aid Indigent Defendants Act.2 then tried Shawnee County reduced charge pocket picking. pleaded guilty received suspended sentence three years' probation. 3 Thereafter, appellee's applied payment his services $500 from Fund. Pursuant Kansas' Administrator requested appellee reimburse within 60 days or would docketed against him. contends this procedure violates rights. 4 * It is necessary at outset explain terms operation challenged statute.3 When provides defendant services, becomes obligated amount behalf. Within expenditure, notified debt given repay it.4 If sum remains unpaid after 60-day period, amount. Six percent annual interest runs date expenditure made. lien real estate executed garnishment any manner provided Code Civil Procedure. not, however, accorded that code debtors except homestead exemption. five years, dormant ceases operate debtor's estate, but revived same judgments procedure.5 5 Several features merit mention. entire program administered judicial administrator, public official, private practitioners. apparently leaves administrative discretion whether, what circumstances, enforcement will sought. Recovered sums do, revert 6 one many state laws applicable expenditures paid defendants.6 statutes vary widely their terms. Under some statutes, indigent's liability county which he tried; others State. Alabama Indiana make assessment recovery discretionary court. Florida's law no limitations deemed have perpetual defendant's personal property estate.7 Idaho, hand, five-year 'indigent's' concealed assets time trial three-year later acquired ones. In Virginia West Virginia, court-appointed assessed only convicted part costs, although majority apply whether prevails. thus apparent procedures differ significantly particulars.8 Given wide differences these broadside pronouncement general validity inappropriate. 7 We turn therefore aware our reviewing function limited one. do inquire wise desirable, 'whether based assumptions scientifically substantiated.' Roth United States, 354 476, 501, 77 1304, 1317, 1498 (1957) (Separate Harlan, J.). Misguided nonetheless constitutional. been both briefs argument $17,000 recovered its almost two years operation, negligible compared total expended.9 Our task, weigh statute's effectiveness constitutionality. Whether returns justify expense, time, efforts officials ongoing supervision legislative branch. 8 grounds 'needlessly encourages indigents without consequently infringes explicated supra.' 1233. Gideon, had denied felony because capital case. often voided practices accused means present effective defenses courts Douglas California, 353, 814, 811 (1963); Draper Washington, 487, 774, 899 Lane Brown, 477, 768, 892 Griffin Illinois, 351 76 585, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956). Here, enacted provide compensate funds indigent.10 There certainly denial strictest sense. statutory obligations repayment impermissibly deter exercise question need reach, find us constitutionally infirm grounds. II Appellants asserted 'has attempted treat them (indigent defendants) debtor treated . .'11 Again, brief appellants assert '(f)or all practical purposes methods available those Procedures (sic) judgment.'12 portion thrice alludes prescribed Procedure.13 10 Yet ostensibly equal treatment recedes sharply examines more closely. stipulates save homestead, '(n)one shall such ..'14 provision strips debtors, including restrictions disposable earnings subject garnishment, protection wage times severe family sickeness, exemption attachment execution clothing, books, tools trade. For head family, afforded become extensive, cover furnishings, food, fuel, transportation, pension funds, even burial plot crypt.15 11 Of above exemptions, none important than wages unrestricted garnishment. sustenance, supports himself family. average low income earner spends nearly nine-tenths items immediate consumption.16 recognized potential certain 'impose tremendous hardship earners families support.' Sniadach Family Finance Corp., 395 337, 340, 89 1820, 1822, 23 349 (1969).17 likewise perceived when wholesale Consequently, procedure, maximum can garnished lesser 25% weekly exceed federal minimum hourly wage. No creditor issue during month, employer discharge employee single indebtedness.18 deny protections once criminally risk denying him needed keep afloat. 12 predicament comes into sharper focus who hired defense. Should latter prove unable pay obtained him, obligation enforceable provisions But, unlike code's protect debtor. 13 argued accused, whom different class respect collection indebtedness whose arose transaction. But providing assistance include imposed enacted, welfare ineligible recipient.19 recipient, defendant, customary exemptions.20 14 recognize, course, State's claim reimbursement take precedence, appropriate over claims creditors identical.21 does mean, impose unduly harsh discriminatory merely treasury rather creditor. itself analogizes 'judgments procedure.' very designed primarily marginal incomes. 15 acquitted found guilty. acquitted, finds service resulted prosecution. difficult see why adjudged innocent charge, should basic uniquely disadvantaged statute. A criminal conviction usually limits employment opportunities. especially true where prison served. society satisfaction penalties imposed, reasonable opportunity employment, rehabilitation return useful citizenship. incentive seek legitimate when, serving accumulated knows exemptions. 16 now married, works modest wage, recently father. To deprive intimate personalty discourages search self-sufficiency might contributing citizen. Not accord recipients debtors,22 also appears alone among expressly exemptions.23 III 17 Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 86 1497, 577 (1966), considered situation comparable respects hand. involved New Jersey required were sentenced confinement institutions costs transcript appeal. Rinaldi, here, broad ground decision urged, namely, burdened found, basis decision, holding '(t)o fasten financial unsuccessful confined invidious discrimination' violation Clause. Id., 309, S.Ct., 1500. 18 affirmed 'imposes requirement rationality nature singled out.' 308—309, 1499. lacking where, instant case, subjected conditions repayment. sure, differs here alike. Constitution practice, less discrimination proscribes. 19 assumed arguendo, 'that legislature could validly replenishing pockets directly benefited expenditures.' note interests represented Recoupment fraudulent concealment false assertions indigency. Many moreover, face expanding dockets, widening classes cases24 stages prosecution.25 Such trends heightened revenues, reflect added costs. Finally, dominance Nation's major revenue sources encouraged local governments new conserving through indigents' forms well. 20 recognize betoken interests. thwarted requiring repeatedly makes reference. laws, notwithstanding they serve, blight fashion hopes selfsufficiency self-respect. embodies elements punitiveness rights citizens 21 22 Affirmed. reported 1230 (Kan. 1971). Kan.Stat.Ann. §§ 22—4501 22—4515 (Supp.1971). § 22—4513 reads follows: '(a) Whenever made aid fund authorized section 10, liable thirty (30) administrator send notice certified mail person behalf made, demand said sixty (60) receipt notice. became due demanded bear six (6%) per annum until paid. Failure receive relieve addressed claimed thereon. 'Should remain expiration mailing notice, certify abstract thereon clerk district court, enter thereof docket amount, together rate annum, paid, extent filing thereof. filed another located county, judgments. Executions, like procedure. None judgment, levied homestead. sued out (5) entry if intervened between last issued suing writ thereon, cease '(b) persons transferred adequate monetary consideration commission alleged crime, value transfer, hereby annum. Any action prosecuted attorney general, require filed, governed relating actions money. brought unless (2) defendants.' obligation. dormant. 60—2404 (1964). provision, U.S.C. 3006A(f): 'Receipt payments.—Whenever States magistrate furnished representation, authorize direct attorney, bar association agency community defender organization pursuant subsection (e) render investigative, expert, deposit Treasury appropriation, current payment, carry section. Except so directed, request accept promise representing defendant.' board commissioners compromise release lien, however. Fla.Stat.Ann. 27.56 (Supp.1972—1973). quoted above, Ala.Code, Tit. 15, 318(12) (Supp.1969); Alaska Stat. 12.55.020 (1962); (Supp.1972—1973); Idaho 19—858 (Supp.1971); Ind.Ann.Stat. 9—3501 (Supp.1970), IC 1971, 35—11—1—1; Iowa Ann. 775.5 (Supp.1972); Md.Ann.Code, Art. 26, 12C N.M.Stat.Ann. 41—22—7 N.D.Cent.Code 29—07—01.1 Ohio Rev.Code 2941.51 S.C.Code 17—283 Tex.Code Crim.Proc., 1018 (1966); Va.Code 14.1—184 W.Va.Code 62—3—1 Wis.Stat.Ann. 256.66 (1971). fiscal 1971 $400,000 appropriated program. See n. 2, supra. Tr. Oral Arg. 9. concedes broader id., matter address forthwith. Brief 7. 60—701 60—724, 60—2401 60—2419 (1964 Supp. set forth 60—2301 60—2311 Supp.1971). 60—2304 60—2308 Bureau Labor Statistics, Handbook Statistics 281 (1968). Lowwage defined after-tax $5,000. Wisconsin's prejudgment taking prior hearing, violated Due Process Fourteenth Amendment. 60—2310(b) Section 60—2310 further disabling sickness professional collecting agencies. 60—2310(c) (d) Bennett, 1970 Legislature Review, 39 J.B.A.K. 107, 178 (1970), points garnishments conform Consumer Credit Act, 82 163. Kansas, significant long Act passed. 39—719b (1964); 59—2006 deals mainly recipient. Yet, recipient defrauded State, still escapes accumulations defendants: '39—719b. Duty report changes; board; continuance person, possessed excess ascertained granting assistance, duty notify social immediately possession may, investigation, cancel accordance circumstances. 'Any recoverable proportion each, respectively: life death receiving shown department fourth while living.' contrasted delinquent accumulation 6% build-up insubstantial. dormant, lift $670. statutorily principal $750. (The presumably run since force effect ..' 2404 (Supp.1971)). 8% day rendered. 16—204 (Supp.1971) (recently amended 6%). Presumably 'debts' judgment. granted, example, extend tax, 60—2310(e)(3) type debt, wrongful withholding tax actual taxpayer contracted circumstances various e.g., Alaska, South Carolina, provide, Unlike liable. 8, supra, citations. 24 Argersinger Hamlin, 25, 2006, 530 (1972). 25 Coleman Alabama, 399 1, 90 1999, 26 387 (1970); Mempa Rhay, 389 128, 88 254, 336 (1967); Wade, 388 218, 87 1926, 1149 Miranda Arizona, 436, 1602, 694 (1966).

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