Opinion ID: 1691034
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Commissioner's Authority

Text: The defense contends that Act 548 of the Legislature for the year 1974, which purported to create the office of the Commissioner, did not have a vote of two-thirds of the membership of the House of Representatives as required by Section 87 of Article VII of the Constitution of 1921. For this reason, it is said, the Act is unconstitutional and the Commissioner was without authority to issue the search warrant in question. Courts are directed by a long line of decisions, both federal and state, and by a general proposition applicable to constitutional government, not to pass upon the constitutionality of an act of the legislature if the case can properly be decided on another ground. Alexander v. Louisiana, 405 U.S. 625, 92 S.Ct. 1221, 31 L.Ed.2d 536 (1972); Benton-Volvo-Metairie, Inc. v. Volvo Southwest, Inc., 479 F.2d 135 (5th Cir. 1973); State In Interest of Toler, 262 La. 557, 263 So.2d 888 (1972); Succession of Bienvenu, 106 La. 595, 31 So. 193 (1901). A determination of the constitutionality of the Act is not essential to this decision. The commissioner issuing the warrant was at least a de facto officer acting under color of authority. Until his title to the office is attacked directly and held to be invalid, the acts of a de facto official are as valid and effectual, when they concern the public or the rights of third parties, as though he were an officer de jure and cannot be collaterally attacked. This proposition was upheld by a unanimous court in State v. Johnson, 249 La. 950, 192 So.2d 135 (1966), where the authority of the legislature was questioned because of its failure to reapportion itself every ten years as directed by Sections 2 and 3 of Article III of the Constitution of 1921. In passing upon the issue the Court declared: If the legislators who enacted this law were not de jure officers as defendants contend, we do not hesitate to say they were de facto public officers. Generally, for reasons of public policy, the acts of a de facto officer are valid as to third persons and the public until the officer's title to office is adjudged insufficient. In the meantime, the officer's authority may not be collaterally attacked or inquired into by third persons. Acts of de facto officers, then, are clothed with the same validity as the acts of de jure officers.