Document: 380 U.S. 194 85 S.Ct. 871 13 L.Ed.2d 753 DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE CALIFORNIA, Petitioner,v.Evelyn KIRCHNER, Administratrix of the Estate Ellinor Green Vance. No. 111. Argued Jan. 19, 1965. Decided March 8, Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer, Deputy Atty. Gen., San Francisco, Cal., for petitioner. Alan A. Dougherty, Redwood City, respondent. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Auguste Schaeche was adjudged incompetent in 1953 and committed to a California state mental institution operated by Welfare Institutions Code, § 6650 provides pertinent part: 2 'The husband, wife, father, mother, or children mentally ill person inebriate, administrators their estates, estate such shall be liable his care, support, maintenance which he is an inmate. The liability persons estates joint several * *.' 3 Vance, daughter Schaeche, died 1960 respondent appointed administratrix her estate. Petitioner filed claim $7,554.22 with respondent, that being cost support furnished from 1956 1960, rejected then suit amount obtained judgment on pleadings. District Court Appeal affirmed, 29 Cal.Rptr. 312, but Supreme reversed, finding 'violates basic constitutional guaranty equal protection law 60 Cal.2d 716, 717, 36 488, 388 P.2d 720. We granted certiorari consider important questions involved, 379 811, 39, 26. After plenary briefing argument, however, we are unable say requisite assurance this has jurisdiction premises. 4 did not whether its holding based Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment Constitution United States equivalent provisions Constitution,1 both. While might speculate choice words used opinion, authorities cited court, provision basis any degree certainty adequate independent nonfederal ground. This always wary assuming case court unless it plain federal question necessarily presented, party seeking review here must show have case.2 Were assume decision below, clear Court, either remand another presenting same issues, could inform us fact based, at least part, Constitution, thus leaving result untouched whatever conclusions reached merits question. For reasons follow conclude further clarifying proceedings called under principles stated State Minnesota v. National Tea Co., 309 551, 676, 84 L.Ed. 920. 5 first mention specific appears been made respondent's reply brief Appeal, related solely Constitution.3 That disposed one paragraph,4 citing Department Mental Hygiene McGilvery, 50 742, 754—761, 329 689, 695—699. In McGilvery rehearing 'an absolute mother pay institution, deprivation property without just compensation violation Constitutions.' Cal.2d, 747, P.2d, 691. On pages had concluded: 6 'Article I, section 11 requires all laws general nature uniform operation. held generally require reasonable classification upon whom operate. founded some natural intrinsic distinction. (Citations.) Likewise, those within class, similarly situated respect law, subjected burdens. (Citation.) clause prohibits denying 'any laws' construed.'5 7 An examination before does indicate relied alone, Federal both; would only if ground sole decision, interpreted what deemed compulsion Constitution.6 8 discussed Hawley, 59 247, 28 718, 22, decided Amendment, stated, 'This dispositive issue us.' 720, Cal.Rptr., 490, 722. 9 went on, discuss other cases. noting Shane, 142 Cal.App.2d Supp. 881, 299 747 (relied McGilvery), there no 'mention Constitutions,' distinguished both Shane as cases claims were presented. 721, 491, 723. It Hoeper Tax Comm., 284 206, 52 120, 76 248, dealt classification, compared similar treatment Tetsubumi Yano, 188 Cal. 645, 656—657(14), 206 P. 995. Yano found alien land Privileges Immunities Clause, Constitution. court's discussion confined pp. 654 656 999—1000, headnote (14) page (cited present case) principally 10 examining statutory framework statutes, finally concluded following statement: 'A statute obviously violates selects particular class species taxation rational supports classification. (See Blumenthal Board Medical Examiners (1962) 57 228, 237(13), 18 501, 368 101; Bilyeu Employees' Retirement System 58 618, 623(2), 25 562, 375 442.) Such concept state's taking free man's manifestly denies him law.' 722—723, 492, 724. 12 Examiners, 101, involved attack licensing §§ 21 Article I See 232, 503, 103. specifically rely provision, merely unconstitutional. System, 442, employees subject retirement benefits. At (2) Kirchner, language: 'There requirement treatment, each classification.'7 14 use language suggests may adverting '(a)ll operation.' Calif.Const. Art. 11. 15 foregoing, cannot rested or, amounting thing, striking down below acted conceived (cf. Jankovich Indiana Toll Road 487, 493, 496, 439); determination necessary our exercising jurisdiction. ambiguity normally lead dismiss writ improvidently granted, think preferable course leave way open obtaining clarification (State supra), view importance widespread interest case.8 Unfortunately, because hold calendar until parties submit certificate see Dixon Duffy, 344 143, 145, 73 193, 194, 97 153, can obviate undue delay vacating directing mandate forthwith, giving file new petition incorporating reference record briefs now supplemented additional papers appropriate, holds rest 16 vacated cause remanded appropriate law. forthwith. 17 Vacated remanded. DOUGLAS, believing States, writ. 11, 21, 'Sec. All 21. No special privileges immunities ever altered, revoked, repealed Legislature; nor citizen, citizens, which, terms, citizens.' These courts Amendment. 754, 695, quoted infra, p. 198; Lelande Lowery, 26 224, 157 639, 175 A.L.R. 1109; Bernardino County Way, 647, 117 354; People Sullivan, 539, 141 230; England, 140 Cal.App. 310, 35 565; Cal.Jur.2d 272, therein. also Los Angeles Southern Tel. 32 378, 196 773, appeal dismissed, 336 929, 69 737, 93 1090. Note, Treatment Cases Exhibiting Ambiguous Grounds Decision, 62 Col.L.Rev. 822 (1962). Appellant's Reply Brief, 2, presented rhetorical question: 'Is money daughter, estate, who own violative California?' (Emphasis added.) 317. 695. Comm. Utah Van Cott, 306 511, 605, 83 950; Fox Film Corp. Muller, 296 207, 56 183, 80 158. 623, 565, 445. Forty-two Puerto Rico, Columbia statutes books, eight amicus supporting petitioner's position merits.

Category: 8