Document: 523 U.S. 44118 S.Ct. 966140 L.Ed.2d 79 Daniel BOGAN and Marilyn Roderick, Petitioners,v.Janet SCOTT-HARRIS. No. 96-1569. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Dec. 3, 1997. Decided March 1998. Syllabus * Respondent Scott-Harris filed suit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against city Fall River, Massachusetts, petitioners Bogan (the city's mayor) Roderick vice president council), other officials, alleging that elimination department in which was sole employee motivated by racial animus a desire to retaliate her for exercising First Amendment rights filing complaint another employee. The District twice denied petitioners' motions dismiss on ground absolute immunity from suit. jury returned verdict favor all defendants discrimination charge, but found liable respondent's claim. Circuit set aside affirmed judgments Bogan. Although concluding have civil liability damages arising out their performance legitimate legislative activities, court held conduct introducing, voting for, signing ordinance eliminated office not "legislative.'' Relying jury's finding constitutionally sheltered speech substantial or motivating factor underlying conduct, reasoned administrative, rather than legislative, because relied facts relating particular individual, respondent, decisionmaking calculus. Held: 1.Local legislators are entitled same activities as has long been accorded federal, state, regional legislators. See, e.g., Tenney v. Brandhove, 341 367, 372, 372-376, 71 783, 95 L.Ed. 1019; Amy Supervisors, 11 Wall. 136, 138, 20 101, distinguished. Such finds pervasive support only common-law cases older treatises, also reason. See Tenney, U.S., at 376, S.Ct., 788. rationales according apply with equal force local Regardless level government, exercise discretion should be inhibited judicial interference distorted fear personal liability. id., 377, 788-89. Furthermore, time energy required defend lawsuit concern level, where part-time citizen-legislator remains commonplace. And threat may significantly deter service prestige pecuniary rewards pale comparison Harlow Fitzgerald, 457 800, 827, 102 2727, 2742-43, 73 396 (Burger, C. J., dissenting). Moreover, certain deterrents abuse greater levels including availability municipal constitutional violations, Lake Country Estates, Inc. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 440 391, 405, n. 29, 99 1171, 1179, 59 401, ultimate check abuse, electoral process, cf. supra, 378, 789. Indeed, any argument rationale does extend is implicitly foreclosed 401-402, 1177-78. Pp. ___-___. 2.Petitioners' actions this case were protected immunity, attaches acts taken "in sphere activity.'' erroneously subjective intent resolving whether so qualified. Whether an act turns nature itself, motive official performing it. Id., 370, 785, This little trouble that, stripped considerations motive, legislative. Most evidently, petitioner Roderick's eliminating were, form, quintessentially Petitioner Bogan's introduction budget proposed jobs his into law formally even though he executive official. Officials outside branch when they perform functions, see Va. Consumers Union States, Inc., 446 719, 731-734, 100 1967, 1974-76, 64 641; integral steps process. Cf., Edwards 286 482, 490, 52 627, 630, 76 1239. ordinance, substance, bore hallmarks traditional legislation: It reflected discretionary, policymaking decision implicating budgetary priorities its services constituents; it involved termination position, which, unlike hiring firing employee, prospective implications reach well beyond occupant office; and, office, governed field traditionally power act, 379, 134 F.3d 427, reversed. THOMAS, delivered opinion unanimous Court. Charles Rothfeld, Washington, DC, petitioners. Harvey A Schwartz, Boston, MA, respondent. Justice THOMAS 1 established activities. In case, argue they, officials protection. They further government respondent constituted We agree both counts therefore reverse judgment below. 2 Janet administrator Department Health Human Services (DHHS) 1987 1991. 1990, received Dorothy Biltcliffe, serving temporarily supervision, had made repeated ethnic slurs about colleagues. After prepared charges Biltcliffe used political connections press several state River City Council. council hearing ultimately accepted settlement proposal would suspended without pay 60 days. Bogan, mayor thereafter substantially reduced punishment. 3 While pending, Mayor 1992 fiscal year. Anticipating 5 10 percent reduction aid, freezing salaries employees 135 positions. As part package, called DHHS, Council Ordinance Committee, chaired approved DHHS. adopted vote 6 2, among those favor. signed law. 4 then Rev. Stat. §1979, §1983, city, officials. She alleged position Biltcliffe. proceeded trial. et al., Civ. 91-12057-PBS (Mass., Jan. 27, 1995), App. Pet. Cert. 1. claim, position.1 On motion notwithstanding verdict, again claims reasoning "the amendment passed individually-targeted administrative neutral, incidentally resulted plaintiff.'' 20. Appeals 427 (1997).2 concluded "absolute activities,'' 440, challenged "legislative,'' 440. "constitutionally factor'' "relied individual [respondent] decision-making calculus.'' Ibid. granted certiorari. 520 ----, 117 2430, 138 192 (1997). II 7 principle absolutely immune recognized Anglo-American privilege "has taproots Parliamentary struggles Sixteenth Seventeenth Centuries'' "taken matter course who severed Colonies Crown founded our Nation.'' 786, 1019 (1951). Federal Constitution, constitutions many newly independent common thus Const., Art. I, §6; 372-375, 786-88. 8 Recognizing venerable tradition, we supra (state legislators); 401 (1979) (regional legislators);3 Kilbourn Thompson, 103 168, 202-204, 26 377 (1880) (interpreting federal Speech Debate Clause, §6, provide similar Members Congress). explained Congress did intend general language "impinge tradition grounded history reason.'' Because such fully applicable legislators, now hold likewise 9 enacted deemed New York's highest court, example, aldermen discretionary decisions. Wilson York, Denio 595 (N.Y.1845). legislator exercises powers, "is exempt responsibility action motives influence him, manner duties performed. If corrupt, impeached indicted, will tolerate redress wrong done.'' 599.4 These principles, "too familiar settled require illustration authority.'' 599-600. Shortly after enacted, Mississippi reached conclusion, holding town could role adoption allegedly unlawful ordinance. Jones Loving, 55 Miss. 109, 30 Am. Rep. 508 (1877). " [i]t certainly cannot argued members assembly, law, can inquired into, supporters personally liable, upon allegation acted maliciously towards person aggrieved passage law.'' 111, Rep., 509. [w]henever officers corporation vested them public good, clothed immunities mistaken use.'' Treatises era confirm view. leading treatise corporations [w]here invested within authority, reference thereto into.'' J. Dillon, Law Municipal Corporations §313, pp. 326-327 (3d ed. 1881) (emphasis original). Thomas Cooley noted influential torts "rightful exemption'' "very plain'' applied "inferior bodies, boards supervisors, county commissioners, councils, like.'' 376; Bishop, Commentaries Non-Contract §744 (1889) (noting functions); Mechem §§644-646 (same); Throop, §709, 4, 671, (same). 12 Even authorities cited consistent view distinct ministerial, duties. few attach, courts emphasized defendant lacked discretion, ministerial. Morris People, 381, 395 (N.Y.1846) duty "of ministerial character only''); Caswell Allen, Johns. 63, 68 (N.Y.1810) (holding supervisors "mandatory'' [n]o appear[ed] [have been] given supervisors''). Respondent's heavy reliance 101 (1871), misguided very violating order levy tax sufficient judgment, created duty. ("The rule requires done officer, neglects refuses do compelled respond extent injury conduct''). treatises distinction between dispositive right immunity. (stating "ministerial'' duties); §647 13 Absolute history, 788-89 reason''). Spallone 493 265, 279, 110 625, 634, 107 644 (1990) (noting, context addressing action, "any restriction legislator's freedom undermines "public good' interfering people representation democratic process''); 201-204 (federal 1179 legislators). (citing cost inconvenience distractions trial''). 816, 2737, (1982). 14 government. Municipalities themselves whereas Government often sovereign Monell York Dept. Social Servs., 436 658, 98 2018, 56 611 (1978)). And, course, abuse-the process-applies more closely responsible electorate. Cf. 789 [s]elf-discipline voters must discouraging correcting abuses''). 15 Any Estates. There, interstate planning agency Bereft historical antecedent agency, almost exclusively Tenney's description purposes importance advancing good.'' expressly issue 404, 26, considered functional equivalents noting "comparable municipality'' function regulation land use, "traditionally performed governments.'' 1177.5 Thus, make explicit what implicit precedents: Local III 16 specifically targeted behind necessarily individual'' "devised treated differently managers employed City.'' F.3d, 441. suggest overcome defense are, fact, logically prior question 17 "would value if [legislators] subjected trial conclusion pleader, hazard based speculation motives.'' 788 (internal quotation marks deleted). simply "not consonant scheme inquire legislators.'' capacity singled plaintiff investigation "to intimidate silence prevent him effectively rights.'' 371, 785 omitted). 18 leaves us whether, were. 641 (1980); 1239 (1932) President's approving disapproving bills''); Smiley Holm, 285 355, 372-373, 397, 401-02, 795 (recognizing governor's vetoing bill constitutes process). 19 Respondent, however, asks look formal consider substance. need determine alone entitle here legislation. provides constituents. office. council, act.'' undoubtedly *** 21 For foregoing reasons, reversed.6 22 ordered. syllabus no Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499. dropped suit, directed Robert Connors, Administrator. Only appellants Appeals, latter two reasonably infer members, rest "on frail foundation.'' F.3d., "regional'' legislature Estates governing body compact coordinate regulate development region encompassing portions States. 394, 1173-74. distinguished "discretionary'' duties, absolutely, not. described former "judicial'' nature, merely using term broadly encompass Denio, 599 (" [I]f powers exerted withheld, own necessary proper, judicial''). legislators' unquestionably form widely, correctly, regarding T. Cooley, Torts (hereinafter Cooley); F. Mechem, Public Offices Officers §644, p. 431, (1890) Mechem); M. Relating (1892). surprising essentially Owen Independence, 445 622, 664, 6, 1398, 1422, 63 673 (1980) (Powell, dissenting); 407-408, 1180-81 (Marshall, dissenting part); 278, 633-34, (explaining contempt sanctions stronger historically unelected less directly accountable public. 407, 1180 part). address third certiorari: proximately caused cognizable §1983.

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