Document: 386 U.S. 547 87 S.Ct. 1213. 18 L.Ed.2d 288 Robert L. PIERSON et al., Petitioners,v.J. RAY al. J. Petitioners, v. Nos. 79, 94. Argued Jan. 11, 1967. Decided April Carl Rachlin, New York City, for Pierson and others. Elizabeth W. Grayson, Jackson, Miss., Ray Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 These cases present issues involving liability local police officers judges under § Civil Rights Act 1871, 17 Stat. 13, now 42 U.S.C. 1983.1 Petitioners in No. 79 were members a group 15 white Negro Episcopal clergymen who attempted to use segregated facilities at an interstate bus terminal Mississippi, 1961. They arrested by respondents Ray, Griffith, Nichols, policemen City charged with violating 2087.5 Mississippi Code, which makes guilty misdemeanor anyone congregates others public place circumstances such that breach peace may be occasioned thereby, refuses move on when ordered do so officer.2 Petitioners3 waived jury trial convicted offense respondent Spencer, municipal justice. each given maximum sentence four months jail fine $200. On appeal petitioner Jones was accorded de novo County Court, after city produced its evidence court granted his motion directed verdict. The against other petitioners then dropped. 2 Having been vindicated brought this action damages United States District Court Southern Jackson Division, alleging had violated 1983, supra, liable common law false arrest imprisonment. A returned verdicts both counts. appeal, Appeals Fifth Circuit held Spencer immune from 1983 acts committed within judicial jurisdiction. 352 F.2d 213. As officers, noted Code unconstitutional as applied similar facts Thomas 380 524, 85 1327, 14 265 (1965).4 Although decided years involved trial, would suit even if they acted good faith probable cause making state statute not yet invalid. believed stern result required Monroe Pape, 365 167, 81 473, 5 492 (1961). Under count based however, it believe violated, because does require predict their peril laws are constitutional not. Apparently dismissing common-law claim,5 reversed remanded new claim defense counsel allowed cross-examine ministers various irrelevant prejudicial matters, particularly including alleged convergence views racial justice those Communist Party. At could recover proved went anticipating illegally constitute consent principle volenti non fit injuria, he consents wrong cannot injured. 3 We certiorari consider whether judge is conviction should denied recovery anticipation arrested. also officers' petition 94 determine correctly assert arrest.6 4 federal showed undertook 'prayer pilgrimage' 1961 Orleans Detroit. purpose pilgrimage visit church institutions places North South promote equality integration, and, finally, report convention Letters leader indicate intended beginning go attempt there, fully expected doing so. made plans assumption peacefully exercise right travelers waiting rooms terminal, letters discussed arrangements bail matters relevant arrests. stayed one night next morning depart Chattanooga, Tennessee. entered room, disobeying sign entrance announced 'White Waiting Room Only—By Order Police Department.' turned enter small restaurant but stopped two Griffith awaiting arrival them 'move on.' replied wanted eat refused on. Respondent captain deputy chief police, arrived few minutes later. placed taken jail. 6 All witnesses agreed room engaged no boisterous or objectionable conduct while Only' area. There conflicting testimony number bystanders behavior. testified there crowd station, followed into uttered threatening words gestures. some 25 30 persons very dissatisfied ugly mood, mumbling unspecified did describe any specific incidents, took violence 'had determined might occur,'7 although concededly orderly polite beyond power control allegedly disorderly crowd. arrests convictions lawsuit. 7 find difficulty agreeing Judge role these convictions. record barren proof allegation played than adjudge came before court.8 Few doctrines more solidly established immunity jurisdiction, recognized adopted doctrine, Bradley Fisher, 13 Wall. 335, 20 L.Ed. 646 (1872). This applies accused acting maliciously corruptly, 'is protection benefit malicious corrupt judge, public, whose interest liberty functions independence without fear consequences.' (Scott Stansfield, L.R. Ex. 220, 223 (1868), quoted 349, note, 350.) It judge's duty decide all jurisdiction him, controversial arouse most intense feelings litigants. His errors corrected have unsatisfied litigants hound him litigation charging malice corruption. Imposing burden contribute principled fearless decisionmaking intimidation. 8 settled abolished 'every person' color deprives another person civil rights. legislative gives clear indication Congress meant abolish wholesale immunities. Accordingly, Tenney Brandhove, 341 367, 71 783, 95 1019 (1951), legislators abolished. equally well established, we presume specifically provided wished doctrine.9 9 has never absolute unqualified immunity, case entitled one. Their rather valid. prevailing view country officer someone simply innocence suspect later proved. Restatement, Second, Torts 121 (1965); Harper & James, Law 3.18, 277—278 (1956); State Missouri ex rel. Use of, Ward Fidelity Deposit Co. Maryland, 179 327 (C.A.8th Cir. 1950). policeman's lot unhappy must choose between being dereliction cause, mulcted does. matter entirely free doubt,10 same consideration seem excusing reasonably valid face applied. 10 limited privilege Mississippi,11 indicated except felt compelled hold otherwise our decision monroe Pape presented question none decided. complaint '13 Chicago broke petitioners' home early morning, routed bed, stand naked living ransacked every emptying drawers ripping mattress covers. further allege(d) station detained 'open' charges hours, interrogated about two-day-old murder, magistrate, though accessible, permitted call family attorney, subsequently released criminal preferred him.' U.S., 169, S.Ct., 474. defend hope convince assault manner. Instead, sought dismissal complaint, contending principally activities plainly illegal act 'under statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, Territory' 1983. In rejecting argument way intimated foreclosed statute. dismissed failure 'a intent deprive right,' holding, related requirements pleading, carried implications defenses available officers. say paragraph, "should read background tort man responsible natural consequences actions." 187, 484. Part liability, arrest, cause. 11 found imprisonment, holding not, mean thereon dismissed. theory 265. agree predicting future course law. But argue unconstitutional. claimed prove solely attempting present, threatened seemed disturbance. using room. Rather, preserving custom segregation preventing violence. testified, contradiction ministers, gathered imminent likely. If disbelieved constitutional, verdict follow fact resolve factual favor but, reasons previously stated, influenced evidence. trial. 12 necessary what importance substantially undisputed expecting somehow consented arrested, assuming sole testing rights unsegregated accommodations. contains tricked goaded arresting them. deliberate peaceful, orderly, inoffensive manner disqualify seeking 1983.12 judgment affirmed part part, proceedings consistent opinion. ordered. Judgment directions. 16 DOUGLAS, dissenting. I think judges, circumstances, how outrageous Court's ruling justified admitted need vigorous independent judiciary, commanded doctrine inexorably prior decisions. books Ku Klux Klan 20, provides 'subjects, causes subjected, citizen * deprivation rights, privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, shall party injured law, equity, proper proceeding redress.' To most, person, judges. Despite plain import words, 1019, long caused occurred 'were field where traditionally act.' Id., 379, 789. dissented creation exception 19 congressional seems me clear. condition lawlessness existed certain States, people provide remedy wrongs perpetrated. And unaware judiciary implicated affairs rectify. often '(i)mmunity crime, records tribunals searched vain effective Cong. Globe, 42d Cong., 1st Sess., 374. Rainey Carolina '(T)he courts many instances wholly inimical impartial administration equity.' 394. Congressman Beatty Ohio listen appeals 'by reason popular sentiment secret organizations prejudiced juries bribed (cannot) obtain privileges due American *.' 429. supporting proposed measure apprehensive complete breakdown nondiscriminatory discriminatory manner, newly won ignored, defied. section passed, interpreted. said that, time statute's enactment, presumed abrogate since clearly evince purpose. beset difficulties. assumes specify advance possible remedial apply scope 21 'Underlying (this) atomistic conception intention, coupled called pointer meaning. conceives mind toward individual things, general ideas, distinct situations significance human share. seriously, regard intention draftsman 'dangerous weapons' endless series objects: revolvers, automatic pistols, daggers, Bowie knives, etc. weapon thought 'legislaing,' 'interpreting,' obviously invented passed.' Fuller, Morality 84 (1964). 22 context existing rules, construing considers 'common Act.' Heydon's Case, Co.Rep. 7a, 76 Eng.Rep. 637 (Ex. 1584). enacts inadequacies pre-existing law.1 perfection reason, superior statutory (Sedgwick, Construction Statutes 270 (1st ed. 1857); Pound, Common Legislation, Harv.L.Rev. 383, 404—406 (1908)), legislature always changes worse. Nor canon construction 'statutes derogation strictly construed' weaken defects preexisting 23 position intend change rule ignores member spoke issue assumed liable. Many objected imposed judiciary. Arthur Kentucky opposed because: 24 'Hitherto liable, civilly criminally, *. provisions (section 1) will upon pursue official sward Damocles suspended over 365—366. Senator Thurman that: 'There three already bill district court, sometimes indictment honestly conscientiously deciding understood be. 26 'Is perpetuate that? Is enlarge it? extend longer sitting bench can impeachment lies absence motive? extended, dragged Federal vindicate erroneous? That language bill.' Appendix 217. 27 Lewis expressed 28 'By first section, cases, oath office, subject suitor. *' 42d, 385. 29 Yet despite repeated fears opponents, explicit recognition suit, remained proposed: 'any person.'2 light sharply contested nature reasonable assume expressly exempted wide sweep result. section's redress instruments oppression partially remedied. parade coming shows obtains States. Some suppression methods changed; means become subtle; remedied still exists. 31 Today's dictated Ex parte Virginia, 100 339, 676, excluded Negroes March 1, 1875 (18 335), Acts. merely performing ministerial function. actions judicial.3 thing action. quite person,' Virginia cases. 32 today grants preserve threat litigation, goes, reluctant discretion inherent vital operation should, course, protect 'who powers vent spleen others, personal motive connected good'. Gregoire Biddle, Cir., 177 579, 581. deny gain out motives 'monstrous.' Ibid. But, argued prevent chilling effects inquiry, whether, fact, unfaithful office. Thus, innocent.4 33 separation is, applicable only relations coordinate branches government, Government See Baker Carr, 369 186, 210, 82 691, 706, 663. Any impose thus violate division Governments. recognizing 'that enforce Fourteenth Amendment carry badge authority 171—172, 476, 492. terms Congress, see difference imposing (Monroe supra) judge. dimension; interpretation. 34 officials subjected scrutiny inhibiting effect work, sophisticated saying 'The King wrong.'5 Cockburn ago disposed deter judges: 35 'I fail discharge faithfully fearlessly according oaths consciences exposing themselves am persuaded infinitely easily of. 36 While, hand, conceive opportunity perverted abused injustice sound principles, authors ought parties wronged.' Dawkins Lord Paulet, Q.B. 94, 110 (C. Cockburn, dissenting). 37 honest mistake liability. exempt mistakes. function involves informed judgment. differing versions reconcile opposing interests, closely issues. Decisions heat needed perform delicate tasks. unfair punish having exercised which, retrospect, erroneous. mistaken, acts, curb spirit functions. sustains forthrightly adequate appellate decides adequate. allows 38 far different actions, knowing intentional person's What conspires enforcement 'railroad' dissenter? knowingly turns 'kangaroo' court? Or intentionally flouts order conviction? think, concluded evils allowing intentional, deprivations unredressed outweighed speculative attend inquiry rights.6 39 plight oppressed indeed serious. Greenwood Peacock, 384 808, 86 1800, 944, defendant remove depriving today, deprivation. 'Every who, Territory, subjects, thereof '1. Whoever provoke peace, thereby: '(1) Crowds hotel, motel, store, restaurant, lunch counter, cafeteria, sandwich shop, business selling serving around building, building owned individual, corporation, partnership association, fails disperse on, municipality, county, committed, authorized conduct, misdemeanor, thereof, punished hundred dollars ($200.00), imprisonment county (4) months, designated 'petitioners' throughout opinion, 'Freedom Riders' leave feared onlookers peace. citing Boynton 364 454, 182, 206 (1960) discrimination utilized integral transportation passengers violates 216(d) Interstate Commerce Act. barred Supremacy Clause. Respondents court's remanding claim. 'are violations statutes therefore follows appellee determination appellants invited imprisonment.' 221. challenge cross-examination. Belatedly, devoted brief contention cross-examination proper. meritorious timely. Party Transcript Record, 347. (Testimony Officer Griffith.) suggest 'conspiracy' questioning finding showing previous conspiracy suggestion inferences drawn Spencer's 352—371. Since consistently Bauers Heisel, 361 581 (C.A.3d 1966), cited therein. Caveat, 121, 207—208 Miller Stinnett, 257 910 (C.A.10th 1958). Golden Thompson, 194 Miss. 241, So.2d 906 (1943). Mississippi. ordinarily review departing tradition case. cumulative, invasion adequately 'Remedial liberally construed.' generally, Llewellyn, Remarks Theory Appellate Decision Rules Canons About How Are Be Construed, Vand.L.Rev. 395 (1950); Tradition, C (1960). altered reviser prepared Revised 1878, printed refers person.' mention 646, causing name attorney struck rolls. Bradley, Other justifications advanced: (1) influencing decision; (2) protecting mistakes; (3) relieving expense defending suits; removing impediment men entering judiciary; (5) necessity finality; (6) satisfactory remedy; (7) individual; (8) self-protection; (9) powers. generally Jennings, Tort Liability Administrative Officers, Minn.L.Rev. 263, 271—272 (1937). Historically corollary theory. wrong, delegates dispensing justice, 'ought supposed corruption (for tends) slander King.' Floyd Barker, 23, 25, 77 1305, 1307 (Star Chamber 1607). Because answerable alone. Randall Brigham, 523, 539, 285. injury act; See, e.g., 676; 1642—1643 (1956). presence incompatible When exercises judgment; 'minister' own prejudices.

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