Opinion ID: 8870
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Application of the Parratt/Hudson Doctrine

Text: 34 Appellants urge in their defense that no due process violation has been shown because of the Parratt/ Hudson doctrine. Under their version of this doctrine, the mere presence of post-deprivation remedies prevents a due process claim. 7 Such interpretation is blatantly misleading and is not the law. The Parratt/ Hudson doctrine dictates that a state actor's random and unauthorized deprivation of a plaintiff's property does not result in a violation of procedural due process rights if the state provides an adequate post-deprivation remedy. Caine v. Hardy, 943 F.2d 1406, 1412 (5th Cir.1991) (en banc) (discussing Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 101 S.Ct. 1908, 68 L.Ed.2d 420 (1981) and Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 104 S.Ct. 3194, 82 L.Ed.2d 393 (1984)). 35 The Parratt/ Hudson doctrine is inapplicable to the facts as shown. The doctrine is meant to protect the state from liability for failing to provide predeprivation process in situations where it cannot anticipate the need for such process (when actions are random and unauthorized). Zinermon v. Burch, 494 U.S. 113, 128-32, 110 S.Ct. 975, 984-87, 108 L.Ed.2d 100 (1990). Where a municipal officer operates pursuant to a local custom or procedure, the Parratt/ Hudson doctrine is inapposite: actions in accordance with an official policy under Monell can hardly be labeled random and unauthorized. Wilson v. Civil Town of Clayton, Ind., 839 F.2d 375, 380 (7th Cir.1988). As this Court noted, where employees are acting in accord with customary procedures, the random and unauthorized element required for the application of the Parratt/ Hudson doctrine is simply not met. Alexander v. Ieyoub, 62 F.3d 709, 713 (5th Cir.1995). Despite Appellants' urging, we see no application of the Parratt/ Hudson doctrine to the facts as presented. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment holding Sheriff Howell liable in his individual and official capacities on this Fourteenth Amendment claim relating to Brooks's work on public property. We remand to the district court for further proceedings, including a retrial, if necessary, to determine the actual damages, and punitive damages, if any, arising from Sheriff Howell's liability on this claim. 36