Document: 431 U.S. 105 97 S.Ct. 1723 52 L.Ed.2d 172 Alan J. DIXON, Secretary of State Illinois, Appellant,v.Dennis N. LOVE, etc. No. 75-1513. Argued March 1-2, 1977. Decided May 16, Syllabus The Illinois Driver Licensing Law authorizes the to suspend or revoke a driver's license without preliminary hearing upon showing by his records other sufficient evidence that conduct falls into any 18 enumerated categories, one which is driver has been repeatedly convicted offenses against traffic laws degree indicating "lack ability exercise ordinary and reasonable care in safe operation motor vehicle disrespect for safety persons highway." (§ 6-206(a)(3)). Pursuant this provision issued regulation requiring revocation event otherwise suspended three times within 10-year period. Under statutory scheme must provide immediate written notice discretionary suspension 20 days receiving request from licensee schedule full evidentiary date "as early as practical," final decision subject judicial review. After appellee, truckdriver, became under another section statute, ordered revoked § 6-206(a)(3) corresponding rule. Without requesting an administrative hearing, appellee brought action challenging constitutionality 6-206(a)(3). A three-judge District Court, relying on Bell v. Burson, 402 535, 91 1586, 29 90, granted relief ground cannot constitutionally be challenged statute until after held determine whether meets criteria. Held : implemented Secretary's regulations, adequate Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, analyzed Mathews Eldridge, 424 319, 333, 96 893, 902, 47 18. Pp. 112-116. (a) nature private interest involved here (the operate vehicle) not so great require departure "the principle . something less than prior adverse action," supra, at 343, 907, particularly light provisions hardship holders commercial licenses, who are those most likely affected deprival driving privileges. 113. (b) risk erroneous deprivation absent additional procedures would significantly reduce number deprivations. Here regulations make decisions largely automatic, asserting right appear prerevocation merely argue leniency. 113-114. (c) requirement pretermination every case impede public efficiency well highway safety, promoted prompt removal hazardous drivers. distinguished. 114-115. Reversed. James O. Latturner, Chicago, Ill., appellee. Patricia Rosen, appellant. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 issue provided suspending revoking offenses. initial summary based official records, with available only taken effect. 2 * centers 6-206 (c. 6 Vehicle Code). entitled "Discretionary authority permit." It empowers act "without evidence" categories. Ill.Rev.Stat., c. 951/2, 6-206(a) (1975). rulemaking law, 6-211(a),1 adopted further define bases suspensions. These generally determination individual's record.2 established comprehensive system assigning "points" various kinds offenses, depending severity, objective means evaluating records. 3 One statutorily circumstances justifying conviction moving 12-month 6-206(a)(2).3 This instances where Secretary, regulation, method determining sanction according accumulated "points."4 4 Another circumstance, specified supporting 5 "(h)as collisions Page 109 ordinances regulating movement traffic, indicates lack again limited broad discretion regulation. allows revocation, points have warrant second 5-year period.5 concludes flatly: "A person thrice 10 year period shall revoked." Section 6-206(c)(1)6 requires "immediately" but no required. Within licensee, hear- 7 110 ing practical" either Sangamon County Cook County, may specify. 2-118(a). such review courts. 2-118(e). In addition, whose obtain restricted permit use hardship. §§ 6-206(c)(2) (3).7 II Appellee Love, resident employed truck-driver. His was November 1969, 6-206(a)(2), convictions He then charge while suspended, consequently imposed 1970 pursuant 6-303(b). received citation August 1974, when he arrested twice speeding. both charges third speeding February 1975. On 27, notified letter lose privileges if offense. 31 charge. 8 111 June 3, effective 6.8 stated 6-206(a)(3); explanation, following language was: "This result of: Your having laws." App. 13. Appellee, aged 25, made hearing. Instead, filed purported class action9 United States Court Northern Illinois. complaint sought declaratory judgment unconstitutional, injunction enforcement damages. Appellee's application temporary restraining order condition apply permit. applied 10, it July 25. convened consider appellee's claim unconstitutional. cross-motions judgment, court criteria 9 112 regarded mandated Court's 90 (1971). Accordingly, enjoined enforcing appealed, we noted probable jurisdiction sub nom. Howlett 429 813, 52, 50 72 (1976). III (1) clear applies State: "Suspension licenses involves state adjudicates important interests licensees. cases away procedural due process required Amendment." U.S., 539, S.Ct., 1589. equally eventually can all safeguards could thought before becomes final. does challenge adequacy above, 2-118. question timing. thus presents similar considered last Term (1976), namely, extent some type property even thereafter." We analyze present case, too, terms factors Eldridge "(I)dentification specific dictates consideration distinct factors: first, will action; second, through used, 113 value, any, substitute safeguards; finally, Government's interest, including function fiscal burdens entail." Id., 335, 903. (2) vehicle. Unlike social security recipients least retroactive payments their claims were subsequently sustained, entirely whole later vacated. hand, vital essential insurance recipient depend very subsistence. See Goldberg Kelly, 397 254, 264, 1011, 1018, 25 287 (1970). includes special n. 7, supra. therefore conclude us "to depart principle, our decisions, action." 907. Arnett Kennedy, 416 134, 94 1633, 40 15 (1974). Moreover, absence great. automatic. Of course, there possibility clerical error, objection bring matter kind attention. had opportunity connection each based. validity rights time they determined. Tr. Oral Arg. 41, 47. Since appel- 11 114 lee dispute factual basis decision, really should show leniency own regulations.10 Such appearance might feel more personal attention, serve protect substantive rights. unlikely significant value reducing Finally, substantial impeded availability case. Giving licensees choice automatically delay effectiveness encourage drivers routinely hearings. 347, 909. Far burden, however, roads highways, hazard. Perez Campbell, 637, 657, 671, 1704, 1715, 1722, 233 (1971) (opinion concurring part dissenting part). factor fully distinguishes "only purpose" Georgia pay judgments resulting accident". 540, 1590.11 contrast, 12 115 instant designed keep off unable unwilling respect rules others. sufficiently visible weighty its predecision (3) good illustration fact setting always model. When governmental given power standard, case-by-case decisionmaking best way assure fairness. commendably standard narrowly authority.12 provides precise what sanctioned promotes equality treatment among similarly situated approach contrary fairness system, necessarily subjective inquiry "disrespect" care." count grounds vagueness inadequacy standards. did reach issue. 13 116 22. regard claim, Love's record, frivolous. reversed. ordered. REHNQUIST took djQ STEVENS, whom MARSHALL joins, concurring. While I join believe point out rejected constitutional analysis ex parte certain facts "indicate disagree. holds erred assumption first sentence Rule 6-206(a)3 (1975),1 construed determination.2 14 117 interprets resting person's years. already twice. different rule because year.3 Consequently, mandatory see ante, 8, necessary. BRENNAN, result. My Brother STEVENS' makes valid making properly violation 31, 1976. suspension, earlier suspensions, contest here. these circumstances, (1971), applicable since, my STEVENS demonstrates, unnecessary establish mandatory. 6-211 (a): "The administer Chapter enforce relating administration." (1975) part: authorized decline taken, take severity offense conviction, convictions, suspensions revocations abstract record. also "For purpose companion rules, adjudication 'guilty' competent jurisdiction, bench trial, trial jury, plea guilty, forfeiture, default, reported State, inquire surrounding conviction." governing vehicles exception excluded 6-204(2), committed month indicate disregard highways; 11-601 Act months deemed Section, entered subsequent 3rd offense." Ill.Rev.Stat. 6-206(a)(2) 6-206(a)2 provides: vehicles, 6-204(2) violations occurred twelve (12) follows: "Number Action 44 Suspension up 45 74 75 89 99 100 Over Revocation revoked, points. period, length determined total, doubled arrive duration vehicle, record highway, revoked."6.Section 6-206(c)(1): "Upon immediately notify writing deposited mail, postage prepaid, known address person." regarding deny "a drive occupation unless committed, operating regular occupation." places burden submit affidavit days, forth establishing eligibility section. same lieu submitting affidavit. event, return place occupation. 6-206(c)(2). Any "relieve undue hardship," between residence employment "or proper limits." 6-206(c)(3). license. That proceeded directly 6-206(a)3, circumstances. treated procedure functionally equivalent followed 6-206(a). n.2.9 never certified. contends avoid exceptions applicable. clear, contemplate made, demonstrating relief. An therefore, "erroneous" qualifies case.11 Burson decided, courts sustained privileges, See, e. g., Cox Hjelle, 207 N.W.2d 266, 269-270 (N.D.1973); Stauffer Weedlun, 188 Neb. 105, 195 218, appeal dismissed, 409 972, 93 307, 34 236 (1972); Horodner Fisher, 38 N.Y.2d 680, 382 N.Y.S.2d 28, 345 N.E.2d 571, 802, 33, 62 (1976); Wright Malloy, 373 F.Supp. 1018-1019 (Vt.), summarily aff'd, 419 987, 95 297, 42 261 (1974); Scott Hill, 407 301, 304 (ED Va. 1976). K. Davis, Discretionary Justice, III, 52-96 (1969). promulgation particular necessary summarily. Freedman, Summary Administrative Agencies, U.Chi.L.Rev. 1, 44-49 (1972). revoked."2.The dependent repeated involvement accumulation points, 'may' Only ten-year mandatory." 20. pertinent Number Points fairly leave concerning suspension. implements (1975), subsection; 206(a)(3) attacked. previously "notified loss privileges." 17.

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