Document: 414 U.S. 514 94 S.Ct. 685. 38 L.Ed.2d 694 W. C. SPOMER, State's Attorney of Alexander County, Illinois, Petitioner,v.Ezell LITTLETON et al. No. 72—955. Argued Oct. 17, 1973. Decided Jan. 15, 1974. Syllabus Respondents, 17 black and two white residents Cairo, brought a civil rights class action against the then individually in his official capacity, charging him with certain purposeful racial discrimination practices, under color state law, violation Constitution 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981—1983, 1985. The District Court dismissed complaint for want jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief. Appeals reversed, holding that prosecutor's quasi-judicial immunity from proscription was not absolute, since respondents' remedies at law were inadequate, an remedy might be available if respondents could prove their claims. Subsequent Appeals' decision, petitioner elected as successor Attorney, petition certiorari filed this substituted party. Held: Where, on record, have never charged anything do presently seek enjoin doing anything, so there may no longer controversy between any County concerning relief applied futuro, case is vacated remanded determination, first instance, whether former dispute now moot will to, should permitted amend include claims petitioner. Pp. 520 523. 468 F.2d 389, remanded. James B. Zagel, Chicago, Ill., Alan M. Wiseman, respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 This companion O'Shea v. Littleton, 488, 669, 674, involving which respondents, representatives they purport represent, set forth portion amended alleged wrongful conduct part Peyton Berbling, capacity county city Cairo located. As discussed O'Shea, broad range racially discriminatory patterns practices administration criminal justice system by Police Commissioner Magistrate Michael Associate Judge Dorothy Spomer Circuit Court, Earl Shepherd, investigator Berbling. Allegedly, decade active, but lawful, efforts achieve equality had resulted continuing intentional those named defendants deprive plaintiff-respondents evenhanded protection laws, various amendments 1981, 1982, 1983, 2 In particular, Berbling discrimination, neglecting provide safety though knowing possibility disorders, refusing prosecute persons who threaten property, permit give evidence them. It alleged, particular incidents recounted some charges, 'Berbling has denied continues deny' constitutional members following (a) initiate proceedings hear charges upon class,1 (b) submitting misdemeanor complaints been whites grand jury, rather than proceeding information or complaint, either interrogating witnesses complainants before jury intent discriminate,2 failing interrogate them all,3 (c) inadequately prosecuting few instituted behest order lose cases settle terms more favorable blacks, (d) recommending substantially greater bonds sentences whites, (e) significantly serious would result charge minor person, (f) depriving right security class.4 Each these willful, malicious, carried out benefits deter peacefully boycotting otherwise engaging protected First Amendment activity. Since asserted adequate requested enjoined he required 'submit monthly report (the Court) nature, status disposition plaintiffs class, class,' maintain action.5 3 requesting well Investigator Spomer, such remedy, perceived directed discretionary acts officials. whatever it previously recognized appropriate prosecutor, alternative thought trial.6 4 rendered its decision October 6, 1972. At subsequent election November year, Spomer7 chosen voters succeed took office December 4. January 3, 1973, seeking review approval form addressed course prosecutorial role, relied Supreme Rule 48(3), provides '(w)hen public officer party here during pendency dies, resigns, ceases hold office, does abate automatically party.' Respondents did oppose substitution,8 we granted argument together 674. 411 915, 93 1544, 36 306 (1973). 5 become apparent, however, nothing record firmly base conclusion concrete presented resolution. No allegations cited basis equitable other Indeed, defendant all, and, course, appeared Appeals. moreover, based practice willful malicious evidenced enumerated instances favored disfavored Negroes. personal despite fact also sued Attorney.9 made policy follow apart allegation incumbent time, followed. Cf. Allen Regents University System Georgia, 304 439, 444—445, 58 980, 982—983, 82 L.Ed. 1448 (1938). Nor ever attempted substitute after far shows, intends continue complain. plain that, us, anything.10 Under circumstances, recognizing see Two Guys From Harrison-Allentown, Inc. McGinley, 366 582, 588, 81 1135, 1138, 6 551 (1961), remand regarding availability Land Dollar, 330 731, 739, 67 1009, 1013, 91 1209 (1947). judgment further consideration consistent opinion. 7 ordered. 8 Judgment Specific examples Berbling's follows: '(1) On March 28, 1969, refused Wilson file Charlie Sullivan, man, pointed gun (Wilson) move into house next door Sullivan 22nd Street, Illinois. threatened told truck containing household furnishings leave area, thereby attempting prevent property. '(2) about 29, fired shots around Wilson's home intimidate family '(3) January, 1970, Robert Martin tried run down while marching exercise rights. '(4) June, Ezell Littleton man without cause justification assaulted battered him. '(5) Rev. Manker Harris policemen City murder and/or prosecution. '(6) August 10, through subordinate, plaintiff Hazel Raymond Hurst, kicked stomach she demonstrating merchants officials Cairo. '(7) May, Plaintiff Ewing eight others (brought) desired bring shotgun, because knew defendant's take discouraged making useless gestures.' Cited support incident when 'Morris Garrett (a 13 year old boy), 8, demonstration struck one Tom Madra. A jury. Morris Defendant question incident, asked questions 'did you get paid picketing?' no-true bill returned jury.' episodes type described: 13, Cheryl Yvonda Taylor, ages 18 16 respectively, shot Jack Guetterman, Jr. Walter telephone call young girls, went scene shooting. Shortly thereafter police officers arrived. While discussing situation officer, Sr. fact, causing fall ground. respecting incident. interrogated all witnessed assault, called testify. Curtis Johnson Al Moss filed, Johnson, incident.' Thus, sought 'dropping arising Frank Hollis, Madra, return (Berbling) drop pending several (respondents).' Damages conspiracy investigator, refuse giving threatening safety. latter, sixth example n. 1, supra, reiterated. held 'insofar acting within function suit damages Civil Rights Acts,' 410, allow determine instance sufficiently removed activity 'to warrant removing cloak them.' Id., 410—411. questioning aspect ruling timely denied. 72—1107, 1143, 894, 39 97. damage involved us. scope injunction found warranted finally established restricted. suggested initial decree require 'only periodic reports types aggregate data actions bail sentencing dispositions complaints,' confidence expressed able establish guides necessary, consider individual decisions. F.2d, 415. confused brief opposition petition, p. stated 'seek only Spomer. Because asks remains interest action.' Of relief, case. kind complaint. 9 Court's governing automatic substitution predecessor 'in capacity,' Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 25(d), 1961. Prior 1961 amendment, automatic. history application present 25(d) are sketched 3B J. Moore, Federal Practice 25.09 (1)—(3) (2d ed. 1969). relevance Advisory Committee Note 'automatic substitution' amendment suggests '(i)n general apply whenever effective corrective behavior having power, lost power ceasing office.' See id., 25.09(3), 25—403, 25—404. necessary is, dependent successor. 10 Despite statement certiorari, contain indication reason absence knowledge himself place predecessor, counsel somewhat extraordinary oral 'there nor my client, indicate change policies exercised predecessor,' Tr. Oral Arg. 7, live must look press. observed us proceed investigate facts concession apparently true our complaint.' 19. merely serves underscore concern being render merits what hypothetical abstract dispute. Aetna Life Ins. Co. Hartford, Conn. Haworth, 300 227, 240—241, 57 461, 463—464, 617 (1937); United States Fruehauf, 365 146, 157, 547, 553, 476 (1961); North Carolina Rice, 404 244, 245—246, 92 402, 403—404, 30 413 (1971).

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