Document: 401 U.S. 371 91 S.Ct. 780 28 L.Ed.2d 113 Gladys BODDIE et al., Appellants,v.State of CONNECTICUT al. No. 27. Argued Dec. 8, 1969. Reargued Nov. 17, 1970. Decided March 2, 1971. Syllabus In view the basic position marriage relationship in our society and state monopolization means for dissolving that relationship, due process law prohibits a State from denying, solely because inability to pay court fees costs, access its courts indigents who, good faith, seek judicial dissolution their marriage. Pp. 374—383. 286 F.Supp. 968, reversed. Arthur B. LaFrance, New Haven, Conn., appellants. Raymond J. Cannon, Hartford, appellees. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Appellants, welfare recipients residing Connecticut, brought this action Federal District Court Connecticut on behalf themselves others similarly situated, challenging, as applied them, certain procedures commencement litigation, including requirements payment costs service process, restrict effort bring an divorce. 2 It appears briefs oral argument average cost litigant bringing divorce is $60. Section 52—259 General Statutes provides: 'There shall be paid clerks supreme or superior court, entering each civil cause, forty-five dollars * *.' An additional $15 usually required by sheriff, although much $40 $50 may necessary where notice must accomplished publication.1 3 There no dispute named appellants present case either statute incurred process. The affidavits record establish appellants' income instance barely suffices meet daily essentials life includes allotment could budgeted expense gain order obtain Also undisputed 'good faith' seeking 4 Assuming, we motion dismiss complaint, truth allegations made appellants, it they were unsuccessful attempt actions courts, simply reason indigency. clerk Superior returned papers 'on ground he not accept them until entry fee had been paid.' App. 8—9. Subsequent efforts waiver requirement have effect avail. Id., at 9. 5 Appellants thereafter commenced judgment declaring Connecticut's provisions, 'requiring expenses condition precedent obtaining relief (are) unconstitutional (as) these indigent (appellants) all other members class which represent.' As further relief, requested injunction ordering appropriate officials permit 'to proceed with without costs.' A three-judge was convened pursuant U.S.C. § 2281, July 16, 1968, concluded 'a (may) limit particularly instance, filing effectively bar persons commencing therein.' 972. 6 We noted probable jurisdiction, 395 974, 89 2138, 23 763 (1969). heard 1969 Term set reargument Term. 399 922, 90 2229, 26 788 (1970). now reverse.2 Our conclusion that, given society's hierarchy values concomitant legally does prohibit pay, individuals who marriages. 7 At core, right reflects fundamental value American constitutional system. understanding basis upon resolved case. 8 Perhaps characteristic organized cohesive more than erection enforcement system rules defining various rights duties members, enabling govern affairs definitively settle differences orderly, predictable manner. Without such 'legal system,' social organization cohesion are virtually impossible; ability regularized resolution conflicts capable interdependent enables strive achievements anxieties would beset disorganized society. Put succinctly, injection rule allows reap benefits rejecting what political theorists call 'state nature.' society, course, bottoms systematic definition individual duties, well machinery settlement, custom will strategically placed individuals, but common-law model. quasi-judicial official bodies, ultimately look implementation regularized, orderly settlement. Within framework, those wrote original Constitution, Fifth Amendment, later drafted Fourteenth Amendment recognized centrality concept operation guarantee one deprived his rights, neither liberty nor property, law, State's monopoly over techniques binding conflict hardly said acceptable under scheme things. Only providing mechanism function strictly within bounds can hope maintain ordered also just. premise has through years adjudication put flesh principle. 9 Such litigation has, however, typically involved defendants—not, here, first instance. This so structured resort only available, legitimate resolving private disputes. Indeed, structuring relationships repair breach largely encouraged life, subject caveat formal if resorted to, paramount. Thus, seldom asked element legitimacy final even some denied use, stands unimpaired recognized, effective alternatives adjustment remain. But successful invocation governmental power plaintiffs often created serious problems defendants' rights. For point, proceeding becomes hand denial defendant's full raises grave legitimacy. 10 Recognition theoretical framework illuminates precise issue presented occasion involves interests importance See, e.g., Loving v. Virginia, 388 1, 87 1817, 18 1010 (1967); Skinner Oklahoma, ex rel. Williamson, 316 535, 62 1110, 86 L.Ed. 1655 (1942); Meyer Nebraska, 262 390, 43 625, 67 1042 (1923). surprising, then, States seen fit oversee many aspects institution. prior imprimatur, freely enter into rescind commercial contracts, example, unaware any jurisdiction citizens covenant dissolve marriages approval. Even substantive concededly met, know two consenting adults mutually liberate constraints legal obligations go marriage, fundamentally prohibition against remarriage, invoking machinery. 11 assert here would-be plaintiffs, think plight, avenue marriages, akin defendants faced exclusion forum empowered Resort voluntary realistic sense defendant called defend court. both groups paramount dispute-settlement technique, but, fact, available one. posture appeal properly light principles enunciated decisions delimit compelled litigate forum. II 12 These decisions, representing hundred give concrete embodiment concept, provide, think, complete vindication contentions. particular, firmly embedded jurisprudence important whose application rest decision before us. A. 13 Prior cases establish, first, requires, minimum, absent countervailing interest overriding significance, forced claims duty meaningful opportunity heard. Early jurisprudence, voiced doctrine '(w)herever assailed person there defend,' Windsor McVeigh, 93 274, 277, 914 (1876). See Baldwin Hale, Wall. 223, 17 531 (1864); Hovey Elliott, 167 409, 841, 42 215 (1897). theme 'due signifies one's defense,' supra, 417, 844, continually recurred since Baldwin, Windsor, Hovey.3 Although '(m)any controversies raged about cryptic abstract words Due Process Clause,' Jackson Mullane Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 70 652, 94 865 (1950), 'there doubt minimum require deprivation property hearing nature case.' 313, 656. 14 not, every actually merits. State, can, default after adequate notice, fails make timely appearance, see 278, 914, justifiable excuse, violates procedural requiring production evidence adjudication, Hammond Packing Co. Arkansas, 212 322, 351, 29 370, 380, 53 530 (1909). What Constitution 'an granted time manner,' Armstrong Manzo, 380 545, 552, 85 1187, 1191, (1965) (emphasis added), 'for (a) case,' 657. formality requisites vary, depending subsequent proceedings.4 That waiver, fixed form affect root significant interest,5 except extraordinary situations valid stake justifies postponing event.6 short, 'within limits practicability,' U.S., 318, S.Ct., 659, afford fulfill promise Clause. B 15 held constitutionally invalid when operates deprive protected general validity measure enacted exercise beyond question. involving religious freedom, free speech assembly, unconstitutionally particular circumstances interfered individual's rights.7 16 No less practicality, laws operate jeopardize individuals. supra; Covey Town Somers, 351 141, 76 724, 100 1021 (1956). statutory provision publication local newspaper, sufficient beneficiaries trust addresses unknown trustee, Clause known beneficiaries. Similarly, foreclosure action, though provide normal hearing, incompetent. expressly rejected 'the take measures giving incompetent deemed ordinary taxpayer.' 146, 727. Just generally procedure fail satisfy defendant, too requirement, face, offend foreclose party's generalized ones; rather, owes which, characterized due. III 19 Drawing established just canvassed, conclude refusal admit sole divorce, regarded equivalent denying claimed and, absence justification process.8 20 arguments kind prevention frivolous substantial, use allocate scarce resources rational, balance between plaintiff's reasonable. 21 opinion, none considerations override plaintiff-appellants having open allegedly untenable Not connection litigant's assets seriousness motives suit,9 faith. Moreover, exist conserving protecting parties penalties false pleadings affidavits, malicious prosecution abuse mention few. same vein reliable state-paid sheriff unwilling assume service. perforce true method least calculated potential attention pendency proceedings. supra. last address mail posted equally newspaper. 22 thus left evaluate asserted resource allocation recoupment. offered Griffin Illinois, 12, 585, 891 transcript blocked While waived convenient predicate access, invariably imposes allocating resources. Surely, rationale covers IV concluding requires afforded wish re-emphasize dispose us, bona fides indigency desire dispute. do decide is, circumstances, guaranteed reach individual, for, already noted, us exclusive precondition human relationship. entirely state-created matter. Thus hold consistent imposed pre-empt affording prescribed doing so. 24 Reversed. 25 DOUGLAS, concurring result. I believe should decided developed line marked 891. considered convicted crime appellate review unable trial. Black's announcing stated: 27 'Such misfit country dedicated equal justice special privileges administration criminal law. trial man gets depends amount money has. Destitute enough buy transcripts.' 19, 591. sturdy growth. 'Our decade clear instruments needed vindicate based financial situation repugnant Constitution.' Roberts LaVallee, 389 40, 42, 88 194, 196, 41; Williams Oklahoma City, 458, 1818, 440; Long Iowa, 385 192, 362, 290; Draper Washington, 372 487, 83 774, 899. limited securing convictions. If affluent counsel appeal, then provided conviction. Douglas California, 353, 814, 811. tie explicit. 'In (Griffin Douglas) evil same: discrimination indigent.' 355, 816. Burns Ohio, 360 252, 79 1164, 1209 invalidated whereby fee. Smith Bennett, 365 708, 81 895, 39, writ habeas corpus Equal Protection Here married couples divorces money. divorce; cannot. comparable Bennett. 30 relies proven very elastic hands judges. 'The prevailed Lochner (v. York, 198 45, 539, 49 937), Coppage Kansas, 236 35 240, 59 441), Adkins Children's Hospital, 261 525, 394, 785), (Jay) (Baking Bryan, 264 504, 44 412, 68 813), like cases—that authorizes legislature acted unwisely—has long discarded.' Ferguson Skrupa, 726, 730, 1028, 1031, 93. invite revival. 31 Whatever residual still (Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654), essentially regulates procedure. Sniadach Family Finance Corp., 337, 1820, 349; Wisconsin Constantineau, 400 443, 507, 515. today puts 'flesh' unhappy couple charge. Fishing communities. May excused license have? How onerous bond prevent summary eviction rented property? up bond, able Shaffer, 1037, 772, 683. Is housing mucilage holding together marriage? examples multiplied. length road follow my Brother HARLAN'S invitation. question historically whether 'of essence liberty.' Palko 302 319, 325, 58 149, 152, 82 288. makes test highly subjective dependent idiosyncrasies judges Lochner, Coppage, illustrate. 32 definable mathematical precision. spite doubts some,* construed, rather definite guidelines developed: race (Strauder West 303, 664; McLaughlin Florida, 379 184, 283, 222); alienage another (Takahashi Fish Game Comm'n., 334 410, 1138, 92 1478); Religion (Sherbert Verner, 374 398, 1790, 965); poverty supra); caste yet (Skinner 1655). 33 specific constituny domiciliaries Negroes grant whites? Deny resident aliens citizens? Catholics Protestants? larceny embezzlement? 34 invidious guidelines: poverty. severing bonds save says brief justified favor divorces; permits conditions found respect parties, seem better served happier, citizens, separate, remain together.' 36 wealth. Smith, Douglas, distinction wealth, so, too, making turn wealth parties. Affluence pass muster determining allowed separate. 37 BRENNAN, part. 38 join Court's extent holds denies cannot '(C)onsideration begin determination government affected action.' Cafeteria Restaurant Workers Union McElroy, 367 886, 1743, 1748, 1230 (1961); Goldberg Kelly, 397 254, 263, 1011, 1018, 287 When imposing compared indigent's being heard, latter weightier. unjustifiable therefore close nonpayment 39 insofar today's depend factor locked ultimate attendant practical matter, disputes successfully settled court.' Ante, 376—377. case, unyielding marriages' justification. 380. enforce arising federal invoke aid forms escape incidents way extends proceedings entertained courts. possible distinctions suggested withstand analysis. 40 addition, presents classic problem protection laws. treats exclusively inevitably implicates protection. Certainly, matter analysis deny everyone circumstances; people fees. partial denial, differentiation treatment, tested 41 (1956), indigent, direct Subsequently, extended principle numerous cases. Eskridge Washington Board Prison Terms Paroles, 357 214, 78 1061, 1269 (1958); (1959); Coppedge United States, 369 438, 917, (1962); Lane Brown, 477, 768, 892 (1963); 899 Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 1497, 577 (1966); 290 Gardner 393 367, 580, 601 Courts central dispute-settling institutions They bound rich poor alike. perform accordance shut doors altogether. Where determines merely gets,' 591, all, great mockery. processes Cf. Harper Virginia Elections, 383 663, 1079, 169 (1966). view, BLACK, dissenting. strange holding. Absent provision, completely control, settlers arrived Great Britain vested country's Parliament. And recently 1888 Maynard Hill, 125 190, 723, 654, upheld Legislature Territory Oregon. Since legislatures vest seems questioned. accident always control. institution peculiar States. live vote rear children passed elected representatives. stability order, morals needs broken homes. therefore, kinds regulating into, maintain, provisions. 7—12, 1821—1823, (1967). holds, little control own charge practically nominal initial ready costs. barred Constitution. Two majority applies. clauses. 45 true, points out, did convictions ample funds studiously carefully refrained saying word sentence suggesting announced quite different field strong reasons distinguishing types 46 Criminal Government charges crime. knowing convicted, condemned lose lives, liberty, penalty crimes. Because protections charged bills attainder post facto provisions Bill Rights—the counsel, coerced confessions, rights—shield Benton Maryland, 784, 2056, 707 (1969); Duncan Louisiana, 391 145, 1444, 491 (1968); Malloy Hogan, 378 (1964); Gideon Wainwright, 335, 792, 799 (1963). With safeguarding crime, naturally Clauses trials State. Had unfaithful explicit commands Rights, designed wrap around whom mighty powers hurled punish 47 Civil lawsuits, prosecutions quarrels neighbors chance neutral agency adjust differences. party, punishment place high level places punishment. consequently necessity, reason, why hampered handicapped strict rigid protect 48 implicit Cohen Beneficial Indus. Loan 337 541, 69 1221, 1528 (1949), some, stockholder derivative violate indistinguishable Cohen, plaintiffs. creatures extensively governed statutes deter ill-considered suits, instances considerable might harm fostered. Finally, result explicitly accepted Cohen. id., 1228. controlled thorough dealt face ignores following pertinent language: 50 'It urged most stockholders remedy Of security necessity bearing deterring effect. deal power, wisdom; notwithstanding tendency, type reasonable met.' (Emphasis added.) 51 Rather, distinguished stockholders' suit, while society.' philosophy unreasonable, arbitrary, indecent, deviates fundamental, shocking conscience, tests composed similar phrases lacking concepts, mark boundaries possibly anything belief judges, times, concerning divined 'basic importance.' 52 wise men sought draw written constitution harassment oppression, feared alike king king's used phrases. unbounded authority group politically apointed unquestionably classify Nation men, boast. 'shock conscience' Constitutionality, guess nine fair wilfully throws away certainty lies constitution, alter judge's health, belief, politics. steer towards destiny says, said. am constrained repeat dissent North Carolina, 325 226, 271—274, 65 1092, 1114—1114, 1577 (1945): 54 'I agree latest expansion consequent diminution derives adding new content elasticity clause justify found, suppose, notion intended unlimited supervise assertions comport ideas 'civilized standards law.' 55 '* perhaps keeping idea blank sheet paper changes Rights civilization's demands. leave states.' 56 re Winship, 358, 377, 1068, 368 (1970) (Black, J., dissenting). 57 On thought Clauses: neither, judgment, trying fairness. vehicle 675—680, 1086—1088, out itself governmentally not. Neither nonconstitutional standard personal representatives, amend Judges usurp views. Accordingly, affirm dollar figures averages taken complaint. receives plaintiff distance travel effectuate Conn.Gen.Stat.Rev. 52—261 (1968). Following colloquy availability public enable plaintiffs-appellants defray submitted score. Nothing materials declining adjudicate squarely record. (1970); 349 (1965); Schroeder 208, 212, 279, 282, 255 Best Humboldt Placer Mining 334, 338, 379, 383, 350 (1956); (1950); Anderson Nat. Luckett, 321 233, 246, 64 599, 606, 692 (1944); Opp Cotton Mills Administrator Wage Hour Division, 312 126, 152—153, 61 524, 536, 624 (1941); Morgan 304 773, 1129 (1938); Illinois R. 291 457, 463, 471, 473, 909 (1934); Brinkerhoff-Faris Savings 281 673, 451, 74 1107 (1930); Coe Armour Fertilizer Works, 237 413, 423, 628, 1027 (1915); Londoner Denver, 210 373, 385—386, 713—714, 1103 (1908); Louisville Nashville Schmidt, 177 230, 236, 620, 622, 747 (1900). Compare Bowles Willingham, 503, 520—521, 641, 650 (1944). Administrator, 536; 473; Ewing Mytinger Casselberry, Inc., 594, 870, 1088 Fahey Mallonee, 332 245, 1552, 2030 (1947); Yakus 414, 660, 834 E.g., Schneider Jersey, Irvington, 308 147, 60 84 155 (1939); Cantwell 310 296, 900, 1213 (1940); Bates Little Rock, 361 516, 527, 418, 480 (1960); Sherbert 965 action. Sobel took note involvement marital relationship: 'Marriage clearly interest. dissolved erected hurdle dissolusion summons *. barrier (plaintiff's) loss substantial magnitude redress obtained.' Jeffreys Jeffreys, Misc.2d 1045, 1056, 296 N.Y.S.2d 74, Brown Chastain, 416 F.2d 1012, 1014 (CA5 1969). (Rives, Industrial Differences aside, unlike cut off Karst, Invidious Discrimination, U.C.L.A.Rev. 716

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