Document: 483 U.S. 378 107 S.Ct. 2891 97 L.Ed.2d 315 Walter H. RANKIN, etc., et al., Petitionersv.Ardith McPHERSON. No. 85-2068. Argued March 23, 1987. Decided June 24, Rehearing Denied Sept. 21, See 1056, 108 31. Syllabus Respondent, a data-entry employee in county Constable's office, was discharged for remarking to co-worker, after hearing of an attempt on the President's life, "if they go him again, I hope get him." Respondent not commissioned peace officer, did wear uniform, authorized make arrests or permitted carry gun, and brought by virtue her job into contact with public. Her duties were purely clerical, limited solely civil process function involve office's minimal law enforcement activity. statement made during private conversation room readily accessible The Constable fired petitioner because statement. She then suit Federal District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that discharge violated First Amendment right free speech color state law. court upheld discharge, but Appeals vacated remanded, whereupon again ruled against respondent. However, reversed remanded determination appropriate remedy, holding respondent's remark had addressed matter public concern, governmental interest maintaining efficiency discipline workplace outweigh society's protecting speech. Held: Respondent's freedom expression. Pp. 383-392. (a) content, form, context statement, as revealed record, support threshold conclusion constitutes concern. course addressing policies administration, came heels news bulletin regarding heightened attention: life. Although amounting threat kill President would be protected Amendment, lower courts correctly concluded could properly criminalized. Moreover, inappropriate controversial character is irrelevant question whether it deals 384-387. (b) Petitioners have met their burden demonstrating justifying outweighs rights, given functions position therein, nature at workplace, there no evidence interfered efficient functioning office. Nor any danger respondent discredited office making based assessment demonstrated trait unfit perform work, which involved confidential policymaking role. Furthermore, detrimental impact working relationship Constable, since employment-related interaction apparently negligible. 388-392. 786 F.2d 1233 (CA 5 1986), affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion Court, BRENNAN, BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion, post, p. ----. SCALIA, dissenting REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE O'CONNOR, joined, Billy E. Lee, Houston, Tex., petitioners. Glen D. Nager, Washington, D.C., United States amicus curiae, pro hac vice, supporting Lloyd Cutler, Justice MARSHALL Court. 1 issue this case clerical constable's remarking, life President, "If 2 * On January 12, 1981, Ardith McPherson appointed deputy Harris County, Texas. elected official who officer.1 At time appointment, McPherson, black woman, 19 years old attended college year, studying secretarial science. appointment conditional 90-day probationary period. 3 McPherson's title "deputy constable," only all employees regardless function, constables. Tr. Oral Arg. 5. gun.2 clerical. work station desk telephone, ready access. type data from papers computer maintained automated record status county. training consisted two days instruction operation terminal. 4 30, some fellow heard radio been assassinate States. Upon report, engaged Lawrence Jackson, boyfriend, brief conversation, according uncontroverted testimony went follows: "Q: What you say? 6 "A: said felt happen sooner later. 7 Okay. And what 8 said, yeah, agreeing me. 9 Now, when you—after spoke, your next comment? 10 Well, we talking—it's wonder why that. like person that, feel most my kind welfare CETA, use medicaid, time, thinking that's was. 11 ". . But he's cutting back medicaid food stamps. CETA. shoot, if him."3 12 last overheard another Deputy who, unbeknownst time. reported Rankin, summoned McPherson. admitted she testified told upon being asked "Yes, didn't mean anything it." App. 38.4 After discussion, Rankin McPherson.5 13 Southern Texas discharging her, constitutional rights sought reinstatement, backpay, costs fees, other equitable relief. held hearing, granted summary judgment unprotected therefore proper. Civ. Action H-81-1442 (Apr. 15, 1983).6 Fifth Circuit trial, 736 175 (1984), ground substantial issues material fact precluded entry judgment. Id., 180. 14 remand, once bench, statements 120. Again, reversed. (1986). It requiring weighed employer's workplace. 1236. Performing balancing, Government's Given public, access sensitive information, deemed "duties so utterly ministerial potential undermining mission trivial" forbid dismissal expression political opinions. 1239. "However ill-considered was," concluded, "it unfit" Rankin's Ibid. remedy. 15 We certiorari, 479 913, 313, 93 287 (1986), now affirm. II 16 clearly established State may basis infringes employee's constitutionally Perry v. Sindermann, 408 593, 597, 92 2694, 2697-98, 33 570 (1972). Even though merely employee, even reason all, nonetheless entitled reinstatement exercising Mt. Healthy City Board Education Doyle, 429 274, 284-285, 568, 574-575, 50 471 (1977); supra, U.S., 597-598, S.Ct., 2697-2698. 17 employer has engaging requires "a balance between interests [employee], citizen, commenting matters concern State, employer, promoting services performs through its employees." Pickering Education, 391 563, 88 1731, 1734-35, 20 811 (1968); Connick Myers, 461 138, 140, 103 1684, 1686, 75 708 (1983). This balancing necessary order accommodate dual role provider government entity operating constraints Amendment. one hand, employers are employers, concerned operations; review every personnel decision could, long run, hamper performance functions. "the employment potent means inhibiting speech." Pickering, 574, 1737. Vigilance ensure do authority over silence discourse, hampers simply superiors disagree content employees' A. 18 applying test "fairly characterized constituting concern." Connick, 146, 1689.7 "Whether addresses must determined whole record." 147-148, 1690. found address concern.8 rejected conclusion, finding death obviously F.2d, Our view these determinations below our obligation assure supports conclusion: " '[W]e compelled examine ourselves circumstances [were] see principles adopted Due Process Clause Fourteenth protect.' 150, n. 10, 1692, quoting Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 335, 66 1029, 1031, 90 L.Ed. 1295 (1946) (footnote omitted).9 Considering context, requires, discloses plainly dealt administration.10 certainly President.11 While amounted agree, amount punishable 871(a) 2385, or, indeed, criminalized all. 1235 ("A face considerable obstacles criminalize words uttered day shot"); also Brief Amicus Curiae ("[W]e think criminalized"); cf. Watts States, 394 705, 89 1399, 22 664 (1969) (per curiam ).12 "[D]ebate should uninhibited, robust, wide-open, well include vehement, caustic, sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks officials." New York Times Co. Sullivan, 376 254, 270, 84 710, 721, 686 (1964); Bond Floyd, 385 116, 136, 87 339, 349, 235 (1966): "Just erroneous give breathing space needs survive, criticizing policy implementation similarly protected." B Because 1734-35.13 bears legitimate grounds. 1691-92. 21 In performing will considered vacuum; manner, place relevant, dispute arose. id., 152-153, 1692-1693; Givhan Western Line Consolidated School Dist., 439 410, 415, 4, 99 693, 696, 58 619 (1979). previously recognized pertinent considerations impairs harmony among co-workers, close relationships personal loyalty confidence necessary, impedes speaker's interferes regular enterprise. 570-573, 1735-1737. These considerations, indeed very test, apparent element focuses effective Interference relationships, can detract function; avoiding such interference strong interest. From perspective, however, petitioners fail demonstrate rights. evidently afraid disturbed interrupted employees—he inquire whom he "was to," 42. fact, possibility consideration his disrupted office.14 23 took area ordinarily access; employee. There suggestion member general present than Jackson worked remark. Not unrelated work.15 24 facts underlying are, despite extensive proceedings still somewhat unclear,16 undisputed Evidently believed "meant it," decided suitable agency. weighing State's claim somehow undermines attention paid responsibilities within caution bear respect speak vary extent accountability entails. Where, here, serves confidential, policymaking, role, agency's successful minimal. cannot believe operator, electrician, file clerk, equally required, pain avoid susceptible interpreted indication unworthy agency.17 point, concerns removed prevail employee.18 25 case. ever further—or involvement with—the activity agency, persuaded outweighed 26 agree improper, 27 Affirmed. 28 concurring. 29 easy understand how assumed dimensions reached Supreme illustrates uniqueness Constitution system judicial review: levels available receptive claims injustice, large small, citizen country. 30 As notes, arose 19-year-old information computer. responsibility, nor primary task serving process. seated desk, announced shocking someone tried President. Reacting end said: "[I]f (Jan. 1985), 73. unfortunate relayed Constable. immediately where freely having Based single comment, summarily discharged. 31 comment co-worker happened boyfriend. intention expectation acted others. this, unnecessary engage analysis normally required 72 (1983), (1968). If unusual great justify punishing routinely takes risk single, offhand directed worker morale, disrupt force, otherwise undermine borders fanciful.* To full competing generally Court's opinion. 32 view, hardly complex might expected five separate times three different federal courts. shows ill-considered—but instinctive, intemperate, facts, join 34 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, O'CONNOR join, dissenting. 35 proposition, felicitously put counsel, agency permit "ride cops cheer robbers." 94. official, prohibited preventing saying attempted assassination Reagan—on employees—"If two-prong holds (1) "addressed concern," (2) suppressing it. doing, significantly irrationally expands definition "public concern"; carves out new class employees—i.e., those "nonpolicymaking" positions—who, today's believed, never disciplined fall expanded definition. conclusions rest distortion both prior decisions, dissent. 36 appreciate fully majority errs reaching first recall origins purposes concern" requirement. ago Holmes' approach employees, "[a policeman] talk politics, policeman," McAuliffe Mayor Bedford, 155 Mass. 216, 220, N.E. 517 (1892). have, government's power hiring firing decisions prospective say much greater scope regulate See, e.g., 37 Specifically, Amendment's protection adverse extends 147-149, 1690-91, variously described dealing way essence self-government," Garrison Louisiana, 379 64, 74-75, 85 209, 125 (1964), "free open debate vital informed decisionmaking electorate," 571-572, 1736, 'debate [must] wide-open,' Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. Greenmoss Builders, Inc., 472 749, 755, 105 2939, 2943, 86 593 (1985) (plurality opinion) (quoting 720-21, (1964)). short, lies "at heart protection," Nat. Bank Bellotti, 435 765, 776, 98 1407, 1415, 55 707 (1978). If, if, falls category, seeking abridge punish show interest, "as 1735. 38 fails fired—and Constable—was, important mind Judge's hyperbole. does clarify beclouds footnote observing Judge explicitly resolve conflict "meant" said. Ante, 382, 4. He not. assuredly later meant not, idea expressed just exaggerated disapproval policies, voicing killed. argument "mere hyperbole," finding, contrary, was, "in context," "violent words." 1233, (CA5 1986). "This not," situation makes idle picking them [sic] up clothes. more that." second "I don't approve assassination." 119. set aside import doing so, entirely reasonable supported evidence. 39 meaning remark, suggestion, ante, 386-387, criticisms preceded illuminate fashion render protected. Those reveal motive expressing desire succeed, same assassin's remarks victim before pulling trigger crime. majority's magical transformation misguided viewing harangue nothing denunciation victim's views. 40 That constitute comparing fit description involving employees. far cry Assistant Attorney co-workers "ever [felt] pressured campaigns," 149, 1691; letter written school teacher Education's proposals financing construction, 566, 1733-34; legislative 595, 2696, (1972), advocating particular elevated 4-year status; memorandum Ed. 282, 573-74, (1977), dress appearance; complaints about board practices 413, 695, 145-146, 1689-1690. 41 step nonemployment context—including threats (which illegal 871), Frohwerk 249 204, 206, 249, 250-51, 63 561 (1919); 'fighting' words," Chaplinsky Hampshire, 572, 62 766, 769, 1031 (1942); epithets abuse, Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 309-310, 60 900, 905-906, 1213 (1940); advocacy force violence, Harisiades Shaughnessy, 342 580, 591-592, 512, 519-520, 96 586 (1952). A lying near category completely fairly viewed "heart" protection; neither subject criminal penalties, 147, Once stopped assassinated, crossed line. reaches opposite distorting concept explain approval serious violent crime President—can possibly category. rehearses "context" already seen concludes "came President," "plainly 386. respond progression reasoning except Surely adopt below, "concerned" untenable: threatening blow local building demanding $1 million extortion payment, yet entitle 43 agreed find unprotected. clear part suggests, "Rankin's [McPherson] Amendment." 392 (emphasis added). Rather, deliberating, words, (or least be) sanction concurrence puts it, "an intemperat[e] decision." been—and personally sitting panel develop sound proportionality actions service. determine whether, did—so formally reprimanded prevented repeating endlessly future. boggles right. 44 made." 81. Rightly so. approving, for, serious, crimes—regardless actually interfere operations traits speaker unsuitable work. circulating questionnaire implicitly superiors. questions—dealing pressure participate campaigns—satisfied requirement, violate itself "carrie[d] relations." 152, 1693. Statements similar devoted enforcement. proposition evident face, actual record: deputies, Captain Levrier, and, upset [it]." 80.* 45 effect him" also, mildly, preserving reputation Snepp 444 507, 509, 3, 100 763, 704 (1980); CSC Letter Carriers, 413 548, 564-565, 2880, 2889-2890, 796 (1973). know testimony—that occasion deal while carrying duties. 73 (answering telephone inquiries); 78-79 (personal assistance). 46 sweeping assertion (and holding) "serves minimal," 390—391, contrary experience. Nonpolicymaking (the example) hurt organization bit I, one, look forward world creates, nonpolicymaking Equal Employment Opportunity Commission approving racial discrimination, Selective Service System advocate noncompliance draft laws, (since really quite difficult contemplate absurd itself), deputies express 47 sum, esprit de corps image consistent killed, assuming suppression. emphasize here especially seem assume, used suppression (viz., firing) excessive. contains "narrow tailoring" requirement suppress suppressed mildest possible. (as was) admonish job, warn formal censure placed file, follows rule bounds environment—and analysis. "intemperate" manner permissible forum, plausibly relevant provision Constitution. 48 because, did, adequate expression, reverse below. departments charged day-to-day laws county, pp. 11, (hereinafter Tr.), 80% budget service process, juvenile delinquency cases, execution mental health warrants. 15-17. testified, warrants bad check cases. ("Most percentage hot warrants"). serve noted, undergo background check, psychological examination, 300 hours 1237 guard various dignitaries visiting officer assigned duty, 30. 32. case, been, 'I him.' 1983). decision, explicit testimony, reproduced text, slightly version, distinction significant. replied, sure do." 38. opinions version conflicting credible. 175, 177, 1984). note ambiguous. Assuming disliked dead, indicate of, event assassination. ambiguity need carefully conducted hearings precise complete findings fact. returned interview refused her. entered conclude April ruling, disputed appear factual issues. touch "totally beyond Amendment," 1690, "absent forum wisdom taken allegedly reaction behavior." bench elements test. "not Myers Ms. trying internal affairs dissent accuses us beclouding failed accord deference purported "findings" Post, 396. ambiguous dissent: "Then suppose down question, 'mean.' nothing, today, mere They something dislike high context. "It's sole affirmative "finding" constituted unintelligible terms. issue, unclear presents addition, acknowledge subsumed review. 1237. Bose Corp. Consumers Union 466 485, 499, 104 1949, 1958, 80 502 (1984) ("[I]n cases raising repeatedly appellate 'make independent examination record' 'the forbidden intrusion field expression,' 284-286, 728-729, ultimate issue—whether 148, 7, 7. once, twice, instance discussion policies. repeated request. consider independently first, however. Having repeat insubordinate refused. divorce standing alone discharge. Such tactic choice failing follow orders which, warrant level merited originally made. 18, vitiate 414-416, 695-97, unsure this; called Secret report incident suggest investigate 44. come home: "Oh, me thought prank call, call get. When left, mama sorry. knew investigate. procedure." 81-82. POWELL rarely, ever, 393. petitioners' rendered implicates necessitates application analysis, proceed task. testified: base action direct." 45. response counsel oral expressly denied McPherson: "QUESTION: [S]uppose constable 'Yes, it.' "MR. LEE [counsel petitioners]: Your Honor. constable. know. 'Yeah, but, know, LEE: Yes, sir. Do fired? mean, conceivably fire anyway. 'Well, shouldn't want poor judgment, you're fired.' "Was dismissal? Honor, trials Court." 10-11. assertion, credited undermined "confidence" 42-43. be. Petitioners' argument, suggested hoped assassinated. 11-13. classified finding. ("for purpose Pickering/Connick accept district court's assassinated"). divined findings, accepting Appeals' reject notion, deputized meant, inconsistent goals man sweeps floor employed He's commissioners' care courthouses." 6. guess it's lucky thing himself responsible keeping courthouse clean, you— Which yes, right, then— Then extend swept floor; right? here— —because name deputy? That's right." 8. insulated speech, taking acknowledged factors account, truly injures employer. Cf. McMullen Carson, 754 936 (CA11 1985) (clerical sheriff's stating television recruiter Ku Klux Klan). recognize, strongly less private-sector counterpart, maintain integrity [has interest] employees.' 384 1735, (1968), (1983)). read extending Connick/Pickering workers whose goals. Arnett Kennedy, 416 134, 168, 94 1633, 1651, (1974) (POWELL, result part) ("[T]he able act expeditiously remove unsatisfactory substantial") omitted). objective lone negative morale 388-389. asserting "Constable respondent." 389. relies affirms 'on not.' 389, 14, says perceptions efficiency.

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