Document: 512 U.S. 477114 S.Ct. 2364129 L.Ed.2d 383 Roy HECKv.James HUMPHREY et al. No. 93-6188. Supreme Court of the United States Argued April 18, 1994. Decided June 24, Syllabus * While petitioner Heck's direct appeal from an Indiana conviction was pending, he filed this suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, seeking damages — but not injunctive relief or release custody on claim that respondents, acting color state law, had engaged in unlawful acts led to his arrest and conviction. After Federal District dismissed action without prejudice, upheld sentence, two petitions for federal habeas were rejected. The Appeals then affirmed dismissal 1983 complaint approved Court's reasoning: If plaintiff a civil rights is challenging legality conviction, so victory would require even if sought relief, must be classified as corpus has failed exhaust remedies. Held: In order recover allegedly unconstitutional imprisonment, other harm caused by actions whose unlawfulness render sentence invalid, prove been reversed appeal, expunged executive order, declared invalid tribunal authorized make such determination, called into question court's issuance writ corpus, 28 2254. A bearing relationship invalidated cognizable 1983. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 475, 494, 93 1827, 1838-39, 36 439, Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 554, 94 2963, 2973-74, 41 935, distinguished. foregoing conclusion follows upon recognition common law torts provides appropriate starting point inquiry, see Carey Piphus, 435 247, 257-258, 98 1042, 1049-1050, 55 252; tort malicious prosecution, which closest analogy claims type considered here, requires allegation proof termination prior criminal proceeding favor accused, see, e.g., Carpenter Nutter, 127 Cal. 61, 59 P. 301; long concerned judgments final consistent disinclined expand opportunities collateral attack convictions, Parke Raley, 506 ----, 113 517, 121 391. Although issue cases not, therefore, exhaustion remedies, correct because both courts below found challenged Pp. ____. 997 F.2d 355 (CA 7 1993), affirmed. SCALIA, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., KENNEDY, THOMAS, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. concurring opinion. SOUTER, judgment, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, Charles Rothfeld, Washington, DC, petitioner. Matthew R. Gutwein, Indianapolis, IN, respondents. Justice SCALIA Court. 1 This case presents whether prisoner may challenge constitutionality 2 Petitioner Heck convicted court voluntary manslaughter killing Rickie Heck, wife, serving 15-year prison. petitioner, pro se, 1983,1 naming defendants respondents James Humphrey Robert Ewbank, Dearborn County prosecutors, Michael Krinoph, investigator with State Police. alleged "unlawful, unreasonable, arbitrary investigation" leading petitioner's arrest; "knowingly destroyed" evidence "which exculpatory nature could have proved [petitioner's] innocence"; "an illegal voice identification procedure" used at trial. App. 5-6. sought, among things, compensatory punitive monetary damages. It did ask action. 3 issues it raised "directly implicate confinement," Id., 13. Seventh Circuit State, 552 N.E.2d 446, 449 (Ind.1990); first petition contained unexhausted claims; second denied, denial Circuit. 4 When reached complaint, judgment reasoning Court: "If, regardless [in action] conviction,2 won obliged him hadn't application pain fails do so." 355, 357 (1993). certiorari, we granted. 510 114 751, 69 (1994). II 5 lies intersection most fertile sources federal-court litigation Civil Rights Act 1871, Rev.Stat. 1979, amended, statute, Both these provide access forum treatment hands officials, they differ their scope operation. general, remedies "is prerequisite 1983," Patsy Board Regents Fla., 457 496, 501, 102 2557, 2560, 73 172 (1982) (emphasis added), prisoner, id., 509, S.Ct., 2564. contrast, prisoners seek redress forum.3 See Rose Lundy, 455 1198, 71 379 (1982). 6 439 (1973), potential overlap between provisions, held exclusive remedy who challenges fact duration confinement seeks immediate speedier release, though come within literal terms 488-490, 1835-1837. We emphasize create exception "no exhaustion" rule 1983; merely certain are provision, brought proceedings, contain requirement. clearly covered holding Preiser, damages, "have obtained fully effective through proceedings." 488, 1835. also 1838-1839; Allen McCurry, 90, 104, 101 411, 420, 66 308 (1980). dictum, however, asserted since only attacking something than length . confinement, more speedy release[,] [§ 1983] any requirement remedies." U.S., 1838. That statement true, when establishing basis necessarily demonstrates invalidity situation, claimant can said "attacking bringing dictum Preiser: "Congress determined validity specific determination override general 1983." 490, 1836. last analysis, think dicta unreliable, unintelligible, guide: no cause address, carefully consider, before us today. 8 Before addressing question, respond contention already answered, 935 (1974). Reply Brief 1. First all, answered expressly reserved 10 years later, Tower Glover, 467 914, 104 2820, 81 758 (1984). 923, 2826. And secondly, careful reading itself does support contention. Like involved procedures prison officials deprive good-time credits. restoration credits well "damages deprivation resulting use procedures." Wolff, supra, 553, 2973. said, after foreclosed nonetheless "properly required employed imposing sanctions, including loss good time," 2974. contends language plaintiffs measured actual time. not. light earlier characterizing one rights," rather credits, passage recognized using wrong procedures, reaching result (i.e., denying credits). Nor there indication opinion, reason believe, vitiated Thus, call lawfulness plaintiff's continuing confinement. Fulford Klein, 529 377, 381 (1976), adhered to, 550 342 (CA5 1977) (en banc); Schwartz, Puzzle: Continued Frustrating Conflict Between Habeas Corpus Remedies Prisoners, 37 DePaul L.Rev. 85, 120-121, 145-146 (1988). 9 posed damage remains open. To answer correctly, need abandon, those agreement done, our teaching contains beyond what Congress provided. Patsy, respect seems us, exhaustion; rather, same all. conclude "We repeatedly noted creates species liability." Memphis Community School Dist. Stachura, 477 299, 305, 106 2537, 2542, 91 249 (1986) (internal quotation marks omitted). "[O]ver centuries developed set rules implement principle person should compensated fairly injuries violation legal rights. These rules, defining elements prerequisites recovery, inquiry well." 1048-1050, 252 (1978). determine bar present suit, look torts. Cf. 306, 2542-2543. 11 common-law prosecution here because, unlike related false permits imposed pursuant process. "If claim, cover time detention up until process arraignment, more." W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, & Owen, Prosser Keeton Law Torts 888 (5th ed. 1984). But successful recover, addition "compensation discomfort injury health, society." 887-888 (footnotes Roberts Thomas, 135 Ky. 63, S.W. 961 (1909). 12 One element accused. 874; 301 (1899). "avoids parallel over probable guilt precludes possibility [sic] succeeding having underlying contravention strong judicial policy against creation conflicting resolutions arising out identical transaction." S. Speiser, C. Krause, A. Gans, American 28:5, p. 24 (1991). Furthermore, "to permit defendant proceed vehicle suit." Ibid.4 expressed similar concerns finality consistency generally declined attack, 391 (1992); Teague Lane, 489 288, 308, 109 1060, 1073-1074, 103 334 (1989); Rooker Fidelity Trust Co., 263 413, 44 149, 68 L.Ed. 362 (1923); Voorhees Jackson, Pet. 449, 472-473, 490 (1836). hoary vehicles outstanding applies just always applied prosecution.5 13 hold that, invalid,6 district consider imply sentence; would, unless demonstrate invalidated. determines action, successful, will plaintiff, allowed proceed,7 absence some suit.8 14 Respondents urged adopt broader this: required, contended, success show unlawful, whenever "judgment resolve necessary likely [need] invalid." Respondent 26, n. 10. Such broad sweep needed, lest prisoner's claiming, example, Fourth Amendment violation, given preclusive effect sub-issue subsequent state-court postconviction proceeding. Preclusion might result, asserted, exercised sufficient control officials' defense Montana States, 440 147, 154, 99 970, 974, 210 (1979). occasion matter time, least plain preclusion automatic, permissible, effect.9 15 another respect, sweeps broadly approach urged. engraft deny existence Even exhausted available reversed, expunged, invalidated, impugned grant corpus. makes unnecessary address statute-of-limitations wrestled Appeals, concluded doctrine equitable tolling apply while being exhausted. (The distinguished state, federal, provisions actions, Regents, Univ. N.Y. Tomanio, 446 478, 100 1790, 64 (1980); Hardin Straub, 536, 1998, 582 (1989), ground "in part corpus." F.2d, 358.) Under analysis statute limitations poses difficulty pursued, yet arisen. Just accrue proceedings terminated favor, Corman, Limitation Actions 7.4.1, 532 (1991); Carnes Atkins Bros. 123 La. 31, 48 So. 572, 574 (1909), attributable invalidated.10 16 Applying principles find correct. 17 Affirmed. 18 whom O'CONNOR join, judgment. 19 begins its I observing "[t]his 2254," statutes "provide officials," "differ[ing] operation." Ante, instead analyzing yield intersection, appears take position never collision course place like (and, presumably, required) favorable ante, 20 object referring resolving presents, alone answer. Common-law "starting 258, 1049, (1978), relied doing thought ordinary statutory construction, textual 255-256, 1047-1048 (damages 1983), fundamental widely understood enacted 42d presumed abrogated them silently, Tenney Brandhove, 341 367, 376, 783, 788, 95 1019 (1951) (immunity 1983); Pierson Ray, 386 547, 553-554, 87 1213, 1217-1218, 288 (1967) (same). At consistently refused allow analogies displace declining import well-settled "if [the statute's] history purpose counsel applying [such rules] actions." Wyatt Cole, 504 112 118 920-921, 2824-2825, Anderson Creighton, 483 635, 645, 107 3034, 3042, 97 523 (1987) ("[W]e suggested precise contours official immunity [under slavishly derived often arcane law").1 21 An examination arguably relevant confirms soundness hierarchy questions concerning point" destination, (unless authority choose requirements discard others) compel accept malicious-prosecution tort's favorable-termination requirement, cannot coherently transplanted. proving termination, according relies upon, "[a]bsence proceeding" " '[m]alice,' primary offender justice." 871 1984); 28:7, 38, 28:11, 61 As requirements, mean (premised, confession coerced interrogation-room beating) obtain ensuing police (or perhaps prosecutor) believe guilty intended bring justice. Absent independent so, importing probable-cause particularly odd latter former derives. 874 ("The terminate primarily important shows about guilt-in-fact"); M. Bigelow, Leading Cases 196 (1875) maintained terminated; otherwise other, disprove averment want cause"). 22 If, addition, master servant (to switch metaphors), ourselves masters contend subject abuse well, ---- (slip op., 6) (calling "the closely analogous torts" making "unnecessary favor." 897. suggests here" "it process." true Restatement (Second) 682, Illustration (1977) (indicating who, causing capias someone lent money, borrower "arrested kept prison" properly liable imprisonment lender's wrongful (and cause)).2 23 today marginally class (because 3, infra ), overlooks significant historical incongruity calls utility insofar exclusively 1983: all 1983's enactment. defendant's Reconstruction-era dissolved regarded irrebuttable lacked cause. T. Cooley, 185 (1879) ("If instance appeals, acquitted appellate court, conclusive Thus definition "favorable termination" framers aware (if definition) included none events ("revers[al] expunge[ment] [a] declar[ation] [of] invalid[ity] [the] call[ing] corpus," ____), easy why context escaped collective wisdom many commentators previously addressed issue, parties case. Indeed, relying dictate outcome logically drive position, untenable interpretation clear, disclaimed Court), crime wipes person's confinement.3 strait, enquiry follow interpretive methodology (1973) (a uniformly Courts cases, Young Kenny, 907 874, 875-876 (CA9 1990)). read "general" "specific statute," "person[s] custody," 2254(a), statute's policy, embodied 2254(b), opportunity review constitutional custody. 489, Though contrast custody, distinction difference (As explains, nothing nor (1974), dictates immediately court. ____.) Whether later mounting defendant-officials almost certainly paid indemnification) practically, prisoner. Because allowing directly "would wholly frustrate explicit congressional intent" 1836, scheme precluding attacks. flows preference how ought written, [that] 25 leaves requires. becomes helpful, dictating suggesting relatively simple way avoid collisions established habeas. requiring habeas's ultimately neatly resolves problem bedeviled lower courts, 357-358 (CA7 1993) (decision below); 877 (discussing cases), commentators, Puzzle, 86-87 (1988) (listing articles), students (some doubtless run law-school exams). avoids knotty arises dismiss suits inmate pursues habeas, clock start ticking inmate's aside) stay, therefore retain dockets, prematurely suits. ____.4 26 takes further thus go, objection style, substance. acknowledges explains "intersect[s]" exhaustion, ____; describes faces same" recites 'provide 1983,' ____ (quoting 1048-1050); transpose onto incompatible policies prisoners. saying now, enactment it, inmates satisfy (THOMAS, concurring). 27 sensible alternative needlessly risk outside individuals custody" purposes. (people fined, completed short probation parole, discover (through fault own) full expiration sentences), prisoners, invalidation convictions sentences claiming ruling. reason, course, invoke jurisdiction, mechanism besides sue violating untoward result. thing forces route fall prevent undermined. 489-492, 1836-1838, Harmonizing establish previous afoul called, repeatedly, "[t]he very of" interpose people, guardians people's rights." Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 242, 92 2151, 2162, 32 705 (1972); Pulliam Allen, 466 522, 541, 1970, 1980-1981, 80 565 (1984); Florida, 503, 2561, caught still heard albeit sitting court; and, depending circumstances, able 29 entirely different matter, shut off altogether "[I]rrespective support" disfavoring attacks, lacks absent unambiguous direction where, exclude counter "§ history" defeat "purpose." 504. Consider slave framed Ku Klux Klan-controlled law-enforcement officers of, raping white woman; suppose unjustly not) unconstitutionality say independently equally right tell managed convince unlawful. hard indeed reconcile either origins "popularly known Act," Collins Hardyman, 651, 657, 937, 939, 1253 (1951), concern league bent abrogation federally protected 240, 2161; cf. Cong.Globe, Cong., 1st Sess., 577 (1871) (Sen. Trumbull explaining Government aside authorities" deprives Fourteenth rights). unjustified post-§ 30 reflected justify individual significantly less disruptive compelling custody) unconstitutionally fined discovers deliberately withheld material. surely give narrow "broad language" speaks deprivations "any" rights, privileges immunities, "[e]very" "we [by] recognizing 'provide[s] construed, forms rights.' Dennis Higgins, 498 443, 445, 111 865, 868, 869-870, 969 (1991) Monell New York City Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 700-701, 2018, 2040-2041, 56 611 (1978)). 31 sum, useful implementing requires, guide. clear proper resolution (involving, prisoner) construe exhaustion. cast doubt ability unaffected advantage reach syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499. Section provides, "Every ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, Territory Columbia, subjects, causes subjected, citizen jurisdiction thereof privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, shall party injured equity, redress." Neither certiorari principal brief merits contest description (by Appeals) money premised pursued premise reply brief, contending findings validating invalidate argument comes too late. fact-bound characterization courts. decline pursue, implying nonexistence Appeals' "conviction proper, likelihood barred res judicata." 1993). judicata decisions law. Migra Warren Bd. Ed., 465 75, 892, 79 Title 2254(b) "An behalf granted applicant corrective circumstances rendering ineffective protect prisoner." SOUTER criticizes reliance prosecution's illustrative barring attacks convictions. Malicious inapt analogy, says, "[a] cause." Post, ____, citing (1879). Chief Cooley forth defeated (essential action) absolute jurisdictions, Goodrich Warner, Conn. 432, 443 (1852); Richter Koster, 45 Ind. 440, 441-442 (1874), early exceptions involving fraud, perjury, mistake Burt Place, Wend. 591 (1830); Witham Gowen, Me. (1837); Olson Neal, 63 Iowa 214, N.W. 863 (1884). Some "conviction, although afterwards prima facie Neher 47 Neb. 863, 864, 865 (1896) (collecting cases). Crescent Live Stock Co. Butchers' Union Slaughter-House 120 141, 472, 614 (1887), "[h]ow much weight attributed original subsequently error, admit question." 476. attempted "reconcile apparent contradiction authorities," 151, 477, presumption rebutted showing ibid. defendant, discussion establishes exist. Yet asserting "dissolved prosecution," post, unaffected. simply reversed. anything, strengthen belief borrowed principles, meant attack. SOUTER's process, undermine principle. neither impugning consequences. gravamen wrongfulness extortionate perversion lawfully initiated illegitimate ends. See, Donohoe Const. Mount Vernon Associates, 235 Va. 531, 539-540, 369 S.E.2d 857, 862 (1988); §§ 28:32-28:34 Cognizable limited misuse include (such confinement) process's carried lawful conclusion. prosecution. limitation illustrated McGann 105 177, 191, 134 810, 815 (1926), where expenses incurred defending herself crimes charged her compensable "[d]amage[s] confined flowing abuse, period taking arrest, [defendant's] store, there." example category following: sentenced resisting defined intentionally preventing peace officer effecting arrest. (This offense. People Peacock, N.Y.2d 675, 505 N.Y.S.2d 594, 496 683 (1986); Torcia, Wharton's Criminal 593, 307 (14th 1981).) He brings arresting officer, free unreasonable seizures. prevail negate offense convicted. Regardless judicata, 2, lie. For search lie produced introduced trial still-outstanding doctrines source inevitable discovery, Murray 487 533, 108 2529, 2534, 472 (1988), especially harmless Arizona Fulminante, 499 279, 307-308, 1246, 1263-1264, 302 (1991), actual, injury, 2543, (1986), which, today, encompass "injury" imprisoned (until overturned). civil-rights lawsuit during pendency trial, abstention response proceedings. Colorado River Water Conservation 424 800, 96 1236, (1976). Moreover, decide raising grounds sentence. 2826, bound determining Bator, Meltzer, Mishkin, Shapiro, Hart Wechsler's System 1604 (3d 1988) ("It decided govern"); Deposit Bank Frankfort, 191 499, 514-518, 159-161, 276 (1903); Stoll Gottlieb, 305 165, 170-171, 174-175, 134, 136-137, 138-139, 83 (1938). preclusion, relating "almost judge-made." Wechsler's, 1598; Burbank, Interjurisdictional Preclusion, Full Faith Credit Common Law: General Approach, Cornell 733, 747-778 (1986). developing can, should, guided enactments. Moragne Marine Lines, Inc., 398 375, 390-391, 90 1772, 1782-1783, 339 (1970). Mendoza, 464 568, 78 (1984) (recognizing overriding concerns). court-made may, categorical mandate 2564, (1982), account 2254(b)'s prisoners' adopts device thinks abandon (of real-life mind) longer challenges. longstanding deeply rooted feature own jurisprudence rendered inapplicable fortuity incarcerated. opines disallowing Klan-dominated "hard if, suggest, goal enterprise conceivable invasions freedmen suffered Confederacy, entire landscape different. adopted liability (1967), recovery tried corrupt judge Klan. djQ concurring. correctly begin analyses realization 2254." respective opinions understand task embark harmonizing statute." (1973). write separately note put appropriately "collision course." expanded prerogative far originally have. Cf., Wright West, 2482, 225 (1992) (opinion J.) (habeas); Golden Transit Corp. Los Angeles, 493 103, 117, 110 444, 454-455, 420 (1989) (KENNEDY, dissenting) (§ 1983). Expanding historic squarely conflict made Preiser. Given created tension statutes, devise aimed ameliorating conflict, provided principled fashion. Malley Briggs, 475 335, 342, 1092, 1096-1097, 89 271 limits manner federalism undergirding enacted, join Our recent (1992), summarized analyzed immunity: "Section 'creates face admits immunities.' Imbler Pachtman, 409, 417 [96 984, 988, 128] Nonetheless, accorded government qualified 'tradition firmly supported reasons specifically wished abolish doctrine." ' Owen Independence, 445 622, 637 [100 1398, 1408, 673] (1980) 555 [87 1218, 288] (1967)). shielded 1871 codified infer legislative silence intend abrogate taken 920 [104 758] Imbler, [424 U.S.], 421 990-991]; 1974, 565] Additionally, irrespective support, recognize actions. Tower, [467 2824]. 424-429 992-993]." 1831. concurrence, KENNEDY stated: "It remembered judges adopt, devising remedial Congress, 'on 1835 (1986)) added ). observes, differences 5. gist [of prosecution] commencing justification," involves "misusing, misapplying justified end designed accomplish." tort, precisely matches confinement; violated (consider, selected solely one's race), better tort. traditional appear liberalized years, 882 ("[t]here considerable minority view regards creating presumption, competent exist"), strengthening draws. single late 20th-century form conclusively retroactively) 19th-century discrete cases. Defending despite treatise, benefit conviction: "obtained fraud." (citing (1887)). existed, stood mid-19th century weak accepts, "any righ[t] Constitution," associated (assuming, bar). Nor, explain imported others. strikes me soundly scheme. override[s] rejected unlawfully declares "custody [to be] laws treaties States," 2254(a). unsuccessful cannot, receive say, request be) violations termination." harmlessly admitted nominal for, procedural due 252. 7.

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