Document: 420 U.S. 308 95 S.Ct. 992 43 L.Ed.2d 214 John P. WOOD et al., Petitioners,v.Peggy STRICKLAND, a minor, by Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Justice, her parents next friends, al. No. 73—1285. Argued Oct. 16, 1974. Decided Feb. 25, 1975. Rehearing Denied April 14, See 421 921, 1589. Syllabus Respondent Arkansas high school students, who had been expelled from for violating regulation prohibiting the use or possession of intoxicating beverages at activities, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against petitioner officials, claiming that such expulsions infringed respondents' rights to due process seeking damages injunctive declaratory relief. The District Court directed verdicts petitioners on ground they were immune suits absent proof malice in sense ill will toward respondents. Appeals, finding facts showed violation 'substantive process,' since decisions expel respondents made basis no evidence violated, reversed remanded appropriate relief new trial question damages. Held: 1. While commonlaw tradition public policy, officials are entitled qualified good-faith immunity liability 1983, not if knew reasonably should have known action took within their sphere official responsibility would violate constitutional student affected, with malicious intention cause deprivation other injury student. But compensatory award be only acted an impermissible motivation disregard student's clearly established cannot characterized as being good faith. Pp. 313-322. 2. When is construed, it record shows was construed responsible prohibit containing any alcohol, rather than erroneously Appeals refer excess certain alcoholic content, there absence prove charge respondents, hence Appeals' contrary judgment improvident. Section does extend right relitigate federal court evidentiary questions arising disciplinary proceedings proper construction regulations intended vehicle federal-court correction errors exercise officials' discretion do rise level violations specific guarantees. 322-326. 3. Since did discuss whether procedural violation, decide issue, this Court, consider first instance. 326-327. 485 F.2d 186, vacated remanded. G. Ross Smith, Little Rock, Ark., petitioners. Ben Core, Fort Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Respondents Peggy Strickland Virginia Crain lawsuit petitioners, members board time question, two administrators, Special School Mena, Ark.,1 purporting assert color state law expulsion Mena Public High grounds activities. complaint amended prayed punitive all allowing resume attendance, preventing imposing sanctions result expulsion, restraining enforcement challenged regulations, invalidity regulation, expunction expulsion. After declaration mistrial jury's failure reach verdict, favor 348 F.Supp. 244 (WD Ark. 1972). relief2 186 (CA8 1973). A petition rehearing en banc denied, three judges dissenting. id., 191. Certiorari granted application warranted court's expression standard governing correct one. 416 935, 94 1932, 40 285 (1974). 2 * regulation3 activities which charged concerned 'spiking' punch served meeting extracurricular organization attended students. At 16 years old 10th grade. relevant begin discovery prepared previously planned. girls then agreed 'spike' it. county located 'dry,' third girl drove across border into Oklahoma purchased 12-ounce bottles 'Right Time,' malt liquor. They bought six 10-ounce soft drink, and, after having mixed contents eight empty milk carton, returned school. Prior meeting, experienced second thoughts about wisdom prank, but caught up force events intervention prevented them disposing illicit punch. without apparent effect. 3 Ten days later, teacher extracturricular group Curtis Powell, heard something 'spiking,' questioned Although denying knowledge, admitted involvement said she handle punishment herself. day, however, told incident becoming increasingly subject talk principal, T. Waller, probably hear She job jeopardy admit Waller what done. If go him then, able help became 'distorted.' went role affair. He suspended maximum two-week period, decision board. also meet night, could tell contact 4 Neither nor night. Both Powell making reports concerning incident, recommended leniency. point, telephone call received S. L. Inlow, superintendent schools, Powell's husband, school, reported he involved fight evening basketball game. Inlow informed news, although mention name involved. withdrew recommendations leniency, voted remainder semester, period approximately months. 5 subsequently hold another matter, one held weeks meeting. girls, parents, counsel session. began reading written statement found them.4 mixing liquor intent it, asked forgo its rule punishing substantial suspensions. present change policy before, semester.5 II 6 instructed jury premised upon expelling defined 'malice' meaning 'ill person—a wrongful act done intentionally just excuse.' F.Supp., 248. In ruling unable agree, 'as matter law' inferred. Id., 253. 7 viewed both instruction erroneous. Specific harm wrongfully, held, requirement recovery Instead, '(i)t need defendants not, light circumstances, test objective, subjective one.' F.2d, 191 (footnote omitted). 8 Petitioners here, below, absolute very least seek reinstate Court's dismissal sustained, we further case. Moreover, involves statute, our practice deal possibly dispositive statutory issues before reaching turning Constitution. Cf. Hagans v. Lavine, 415 528, 549, 1372, 1385, 39 577 (1974).6 We essentially sustain position respect issue. 9 nature awards available administrators lower courts answered single voice. There general agreement existence 'good faith' immunity, either emphasized different factors elements faith given content standard.7 10 This has decided cases dealing scope protecting various types governmental 1983. Tenney Brandhove, 341 367, 71 783, L.Ed. 1019 (1951), construction.8 Noting language silent immunities, concluded believing Congress eliminate traditional legislators civil acts legislative action. That 'so well grounded history reason . .', U.S., 376, 788, consequently depend motivations legislators. Pierson Ray, 386 547, 554, 87 1213, 1218, 18 288 (1967), '(t)he gives clear indication meant abolish wholesale common-law immunities' enacting doctrine judicial survived. Similarly, preclude policeman, arrest probable cause, liable damages, person arrested proves innocent. Consequently said: 'Although entirely free doubt, same consideration seem require excusing acting statute believed valid later unconstitutional, face applied.' 555, S.Ct., 1218 Finally, last Term chief executive officer State, senior subordinate officers State's National Guard, president state-controlled university absolutely instead prior precedent obvious avoid discouraging effective considerable range discretion, Court: 11 '(I)n varying scope, branch Government, variation dependent responsibilities office circumstances appeared sought based. It reasonable belief formed coupled belief, affords performed course conduct.' Scheuer Rhodes, 232, 247—248, 1683, 1692, 90 12 Common-law tradition, recognized decisions, strong public-policy reasons lead extending section. differing emphases formulations suspension, generally protected tort nonmalicious taken fulfill duties.9 13 As case reveal, function times adjudicators process. Each these functions necessarily weighing many factors, formulation long-term policy.10 'Like judges, rely sources factual information act.' supra, 246, 1691 faced instances disorder, confronted behavior causing threatening disruption, 'obvious prompt action, must reliance supplied others.' Ibid. 14 Liability every violative caused compensable unfairly impose decisionmaker burden mistakes exercising his duties. members, among duties, judge so, violations. Denying measure 'would contribute principled fearless decision-making intimidation.' 1218. imposition monetary costs unreasonable undoubtedly deter even most conscientious independently, forcefully, manner best serving interest capable candidates positions might deterred heavy burdens private resources likely prospect during tenure.11 15 These considerations played prime development lawsuits improper suspensions expulsions.12 time, implicit justified sufficiently increase ability forthright warrant remedy students subjected intentional otherwise inexcusable deprivations. Rhodes drew similar background animated construing Absent guidance, now those determining extent damage think degree work schools forward; however worded, understand fulfillment bounds punished undue timidity. 17 'Public Governors, Mayors police, fail make when needed implement fully faithfully perform duties offices. Implicit idea some immunity—absolute qualified—for acts, recognition may err. concept assumes goes assume better risk error possible all.' 241 242, 1689 disagreement between over put terms 'objective' versus 'subjective' see contains both. himself sincerely doing right, can more ignorance settled, indisputable part entrusted supervision students' daily lives presence actual malice. To special exemption categorical remedial violated rights, member, voluntarily undertaken task supervising operation conduct based permissible intentions, knowledge basic, unquestioned charges. Such imposes neither unfair assuming requiring intelligence unwarranted value legal system. Any lesser deny much promise Therefore, context discipline, member say 'charged predicting future law.' 557, 1219. III 19 review benefit transcript testimony four-day Court,13 violated: 20 'To justify necessary Board establish possessed used 'intoxicating' beverage school-sponsored activity. No presented liquid campus. intoxicating. drink know not.' 190. 21 cite authority, apparently applying rationale Thompson City Louisville, 362 199, 206, 80 624, 654 (1960),14 applicability setting, issue reached case.15 reveals erroneous question. Once properly disappears. 22 interpreted linked definition 'intoxicating liquor' statutes16 restrict term exceeding 5% weight.17 Testimony trial, convincingly beverage' adoption 1967 statutes technical 'intoxicating.'18 previous beer-drinking episode.19 applied beer.20 issued onset litigation, expressed 'alcoholic onto premises.21 themselves knowing wrong punished.22 evidence, advised supplant interpretation adopted enforcement. Grayned Rockford, 408 104, 110, 92 2294, 2299, 33 222 (1972). 23 served. estimated admissions alcohol 20%. litigation begun, conclusively determined fact 3.2% weight.23 0.91%.24 24 Given supporting set aside view lacking compassion. substantive while Tinker Des Moines Independent Community District, 393 503, 89 733, 731 (1969); West State Education Barnette, 319 63 1178, 1628 (1943); Goss Lopez, 419 565, 729, 725 (1975). regulations. system education evolved Nation relies federalcourt Epperson Arkansas, 97, 266, 270, 228 (1968); Tinker, 507, 736. IV 25 Respondents' alleged App. 9. claim final opinion, presenting denied intimated cured initial deficiencies. Having conclusion 26 argued here supports Appeals. Brief 27—28, 36. because preferable 27 consistent opinion. 28 So ordered. 29 POWELL, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACKMUN, REHNQUIST join, concurring dissenting part. 30 I join Parts I, III, agree dissent Part appears higher care sued heretofore required official. 31 holding forth margin.1 personal utmost faith, found—after fact—to 'ignorance Ante, 321. Or, puts 'but charges.' 322. explicitly equated 'actual malice.' harsh standard, 'settled, law,' leaves little substance immunity. rest assumption lay rights. peril applicable mistaken actionable.2 32 states cryptic phrases: 'unquestioned rights.' Presumably mean thing, phrase self-evident scholars—much less average member. One look Court—to reversals, evolving concepts, five-to-four splits—to recognize hazard prophecy Consider, example, recent (1975), junior pupil routinely day suggest lawyers thought, decision, indisputable, unquestioned.3 Less year ago, (1974), joined participating considerably demanding approved highest Governor Adjutant General. case, estates killed Kent University competing claims, concluded: 34 'These that, 1692. (Emphasis added.) 35 italicized sentence states, government official: office, maliciously calling out Guardsmen wounded students.4 Today's offers severe wrongfully teenage pupils. 36 20,000 boards, each five thousands superintendents principals. Most popularly elected, drawn citizenry large, possess unique competency divining law. Few cities counties provide compensation service often difficult persuade persons important society. counsel's advice constitutes defense, safely assumed few boards ready access indeed deemed consult countless schools. 37 today's significantly enhancing possibility liability, wonder continue desired numbers volunteer education. affirmed awarded principal District. cross-petitioned, parties noted reinstatement longer ended, records expunged relieved continuing punishment, any. '3. Suspension 'b. Valid causes suspension offense: Pupils guilty following shall offense balance semester permanent along suspension. '(4) sponsored activity.' 102. 'FACTS FOUND BY SCHOOL BOARD '1. Crain, Jo Wall rules policies School. '2. February 7, 1972 providing refreshments function, gathering Home Economic class premises, auditorium building School, direction Powell. traveled Oklahoma, number liquor, beer type beverage, premises refreshment parents.' 137. observed drinks return 187, brief recite manner. 5. discrepancy board's findings material By taking correspondence extra graduate class. Tr. Oral Arg. 38—39. original complaint, 11—12. added prayer 92. Trial jury; motions declaring treated developed entered dismissed defense. joint motion specifically erred treating failing give claims 131. motion. 133. Upon appeal, renewed contentions, injunction punishment. urge reverse order dismissed. Petitioners, 48. Respondents, again stress included equitable 47—48, 50. uncertain judgment, ordinarily bar well. dispel uncertainty. With posture, proceed directly McLaughlin Tilendis, 398 287, 290—291 (CA7 1968), relied extended founded 'justifiable grounds.' Scoville Ed. Joliet Township H.S., 425 10, (CA7), cert. 400 826, 91 51, 55 (1970). Smith Losee, 334, 344 (CA10 1973) (en banc), 417 908, 2604, 41 212 described where 'showed advanced nonrenewal discharge constitutionally impermissible.' Kirstein Rector Visitors Virginia, 309 184, 189 (ED Va.1970), accordance 'long standing principle.' Skehan Trustees Bloomsburg College, 501 31, (CA3 1974); Handverger Harvill, 479 513, 516 (CA9), 414 1072, 586, 38 478 (1973); Wood Goodman, 381 413, (Mass.1974); Thonen Jenkins, 374 134, 140 (EDNC Taliaferro Council Higher Education, 372 1378, 1382—1383 Va.1974); Vanderzanden Lowell 71, 369 67, 72 (D.C.Or.1973); Jones Jefferson County 359 1081, 1083—1084 Tenn.1972); Adamian Nevada, 825, 834 (D.C.Nev.1973); Boyd 353 844, 845—846 (ND Ind.1973); Hayes Cape Henlopen 823, 829 (D.C.Del.1972); Schreiber Joint 1, Gibraltar, Wis., 335 745, 748 Wis.1972); Endicott Van Petten, 330 878, 885—886 (D.C.Kan.1971); Holliman Martin, Va.1971); McDonough Kelly, 329 144, 150—151 (NH 1971); Cordova Chonko, 315 953, 964 Ohio 1970); Gouge 310 984, 990, 992—993 Wis.1970). 'Did 1871 overturn freedom achieved England Civil War carefully preserved formation Governments here? Did activity? Let us assume, merely moment, power limit sphere. big assumption. rasher find thought exercised power. difficulties hurdle. limits §§ spelled debate. believe Congress—itself staunch advocate freedom—would impinge so covert inclusion us.' 788. Donahoe Richards, Me. 379 (1854); Dritt Snodgrass, 66 Mo. 286 (1877); McCormick Burt, Ill. 263 (1880); Cartersville Purse, 101 Ga. 422, S.E. 896 (1897); Covington Booth, 110 Ky. 807, 62 S.W. 872 (1901); Morrison Lawrence, 181 Mass. 127, N.E. (1902); Sorrels Matthews, 129 319, 58 819 (1907); Douglass Campbell, 254, 116 211 (1909); Barnard Shelburne, 216 19, 102 1095 (1913); Sweeney Young, 82 N.H. 159, 131 A. 155 (1925) (absolute authority). 68 Am.Jur.2d, Schools 268, pp. 592—593 79 C.J.S. Districts 503d, p. 451 (1952); W. Prosser, Law Torts 132, 989 (4th ed. R. Hamilton & E. Reutter, Legal Aspects Operation 190—191 (1958). Cunningham, McPhee, Organization Control American 177—182 (1965). overwhelming majority elected office. White, Local Boards: Practices (U.S. Office OE—23023, Bulletin 8, 1962); Boards Association, Survey Member Cities Big (Nov. 1968); n. 164—170. country receive service. 67—79; 3, 15—21; 172. '(School directors) authorized, duty adopt management suitable men accepting position, them, impression welfare demanded deem improper.' Mo., 293. transcribed concern limiting costs, 23. filed certiorari granted. 120 Vachon New Hampshire, 478, 480, 664, 665, 666 (1974); Gregory Chicago, 394 111, 112, 946, 947, 134 Johnson Florida, 391 596, 598—599, 88 1713, 1714, 838 Shuttlesworth Birmingham, 382 87, 95, 86 211, 215, 176 (1965); Garner Louisiana, 368 157, 248, 207 (1961). Boilermakers Hardeman, 401 233, 609, 617, (1971). requirements attach expulsions. Over past Courts exception satisfied expelled. 576—578 Ark.Stat.Ann. 48—107, 48—503 (1964). referred comments seemed preliminary injunction. 190; 80. noting requisite puzzlement indicated instructions considered fall regulation. ultimate unnecessary coverage Despite authority proscribing beverages. Two testified discussion tying Alcohol Act cover beer. 466—467 (testimony Wood); 589—590 Gerald Goforth). minutes 103—104. 431—432 Mary Spencer, adopted); 587—588 (Mrs. October 1971 258—259, 268—269 former Superintendent Inlow). 4, supra. Soon 'prohibits ...' 139. 75 (Strickland); 119, 121 (Crain). percentage through deposition company produces Time' 93—94. 205 Dr. F. Turner). 'The (547, 1219, (1967)). faith.' 321-322. indicates presumed law; thus appear goodfaith avail. suggests, infringe place noncollege-preparatory track promotion affording hearing. 597—599, 747—749, (Powell, J., dissenting). Does hearings determines required? For current example how unsettled law, quite turn be, opinions North Georgia Finishing, Inc. Di-Chem, Inc., 601, 719, 751 compare Stewart's Mitchell Grant Co., 600, 629, 1895, 1910, 406 Chief Warren's 'If disbelieved ministers, constitutional, verdict follow though unconstitutional.' Scheuer, prescribed lawful justified. Not police

Category: 1