Document: 477 U.S. 299 106 S.Ct. 2537 91 L.Ed.2d 249 MEMPHIS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, et al., Petitionersv.Edward J. STACHURA. No. 85-410. Argued April 2, 1986. Decided June 25, Syllabus Respondent, a tenured teacher in the Memphis, Michigan, public schools, was suspended following parents' complaints about his teaching methods seventh-grade life science course that included showing of allegedly sexually explicit pictures and films. While respondent later reinstated, he, before being brought suit Federal District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against petitioner School District, Board Education, Members, school administrators, parents, alleging suspension deprived him liberty property without due process law violated First Amendment right to academic freedom. He sought both compensatory punitive damages. The instructed jury on standard elements damages also charged additional could be awarded based value or importance constitutional rights were violated. found petitioners liable, awarding Appeals affirmed. Held: Damages abstract "value" "importance" are not permissible element cases. Pp. 304-313. (a) basic purpose is "to compensate persons for injuries caused by deprivation rights." Carey v. Piphus, 435 247, 254, 98 1042, 1047, 55 252. instructions at issue cannot squared with Carey, principles tort which grounded. measured jury's perception necessary vindicate protects, moreover an unwieldy tool ensuring compliance Constitution. 305-310. (b) Since such wholly divorced from any purpose, they justified as presumed damages, substitute ordinary supplement award fully compensates alleged injury. 310-312. (c) erroneous harmless error where verdict did specify how much designed injury reflected estimation infringed. P. 312-313. 763 F.2d 211 (CA6 1985) reversed remanded. POWELL, J., delivered opinion Court, BURGER, C.J., BRENNAN, WHITE, REHNQUIST, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. BRENNAN filed separate statement, post, p. 313. MARSHALL, concurring judgment, BLACKMUN, joined, Patrick Berardo, Lansing, Mich., petitioners. Jeffrey A. Heldt, Southfield, respondent. Justice POWELL Court. 1 This case requires us decide whether authorizes factfinder's assessment substantive right. 2 * Respondent Edward Stachura schools. When events led this occurred, taught science, using textbook had been approved Board. chapter human reproduction. During 1978-1979 year, spent six weeks chapter. As part their instruction, students shown respondent's wife during her pregnancy. showed two films concerning growth sexuality. These provided County Health Department, Principal use. Both past years incident. 3 After films, number parents complained officials methods. complaints, appear have largely inaccurate rumors nature discussed open meeting held 23, 1979. Following advice Superintendent, attend meeting, expressed view should allowed teach Memphis system.1 day after pay. confirmed suspension, notified "administration evaluation" underway. No evaluation ever made. reinstated next fall, filing lawsuit. 4 sued various members who participated 23 meeting. complaint these violations. 5 At close trial claims, governing asserted bases liability. Turning court finding liability it sufficient amount petitioners' unlawful actions: 6 "You consider regard lost earnings; loss earning capacity; out-of-pocket expenses; mental anguish emotional distress you find Plaintiff suffered result conduct Defendants depriving civil App. 94. 7 In addition instruction explained awarded, described standards awards.2 Finally, request over objection, violated: 8 "If has Constitutional right, may deprivation. type more difficult measure than physical one's property. There no medical bills other expenses can judge compensation appropriate. one sense, monetary we place upon our society citizen adequately However, just because capable precise does mean appropriate awarded. 9 "The denied within your discretion. You wish system government, role played history republic, [and] significance context activities engaged time violation right." Id., 96. 10 liable,3 total $275,000 $46,000 damages.4 entered judgment notwithstanding defendants, reducing $266,750 $36,000 11 devoted primarily issues, Sixth Circuit affirmed, holding procedural Amendment. Truszkowski, (1985). Responding contention improperly authorized solely rights, noted only "there ample proof actual plaintiff effective discharge . damage reputation professional career teacher. Contrary situation 252 (1978) ., there found, did, important damages." 214. 12 We granted certiorari limited question erred affirming light Court's but "any right."5 474 918, 245, 88 254 reverse, remand new II 13 Petitioners challenge authorizing ground those permitted its own unguided rights.6 disagrees characterization instructions, contending taken whole focused he asserted. 14 believe accurately characterize instructions. divided into three distinct segments: (i) harm respondent, (ii) (iii) "compensat[ory]" violations rights. sensible juror read third segments modify first.7 On contrary, plainly authorized—in damages—two types "compensatory" damages: according standards, another certain therefore latter category properly jury. III 15 repeatedly 19838 creates " 'a species liability' favor 'rights, privileges, immunities secured' them Constitution." 253, (1978), quoting Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, 417, 96 984, 988, 47 128 (1976). See Smith Wade, 461 30, 34, 103 1625, 1628, 75 632 (1983); Newport Fact Concerts, Inc., 453 258-259, 101 2748, 2755-2756, 69 616 (1981). Accordingly, when plaintiffs seek level ordinarily determined derived common torts. supra, U.S., S.Ct., 1628; 257-258, 1048-1049; cf. Monroe Pape, 365 167, 196, n. 5, 81 473, 488, 492 (1961) (Harlan, concurring). 16 Punitive aside,9 cases provide "compensation defendant's breach duty." F. Harper, James, & O. Gray, Law Torts 25.1, 490 (2d ed. 1986) (emphasis original), quoted 255, 1047. Bivens Six Unknown Narcotics Agents, 403 388, 395, 397, 1999, 2004, 2005, 29 619 (1971); id., 408-409, 2010-2011 judgment). To end, include harms, "impairment personal humiliation, suffering." Gertz Robert Welch, 418 323, 350, 94 2997, 3012, 41 789 (1974). 264, 1052 (mental constitute compensable cases). Deterrence system, operates through mechanism compensatory—damages grounded determinations plaintiffs' losses. E.g., Gray 25.3 (discussing need certainty determinations); D. Dobbs, Remedies 3.1, pp. 135-136 (1973). Congress adopted common-law recovery established "constitutional torts."10 Consequently, "the purpose" 1047 added). 257, 1049 ("damages awards governed principle compensation"). 17 Piphus represents straightforward application principles. involved high student smoking marijuana; claimed opportunity respond charges him. Seventh even if justified, recover substantial simply insufficient procedures used suspend school. reversed, proved denial 1052. noted: "Rights, otherwise, do exist vacuum. Their protect particular interests. ." Where present, 18 here jurors told that, determining "compensate [respondent] deprivation" money "rights" themselves considering factors right's "importance government," American history, "significance activities" engaged. focus, provable injury, subjective matter. establishes approach impermissible. transgressed Carey—the law—is central ordered liberty. re Gault, 387 1, 20-21, 87 1428, 1439-1440, 527 (1967). nevertheless absent thus makes clear form basis damages.11 19 argues control here, freedom12—was argument misperceives analysis Carey. That establish two-tiered afforded greater protection "mere" safeguards. acknowledge prerequisites damages" might vary depending interests protected issue. 264-265, 1053. But emphasized whatever liability, must always [constitutional] deprivation." 265, 1053 added).13 Hobson Wilson, 237 U.S.App.D.C. 219, 277-279, 737 59-61 (1984), cert. denied, 470 1084, 105 1843, 85 142 (1985); (1983). conclusion leaves room non-compensatory 20 Nor protects. 11, supra. Section presupposes suffice deter 256-257, 1043 ("To extent intended evidence meant deterrent formidable inherent damages"). Moreover, History tradition afford sound guidance juries protections. available, would free arbitrary amounts evidentiary basis, use unbounded discretion punish unpopular defendants. Cf. Gertz, 3012. Such too uncertain great plaintiffs, inject caprice hold B 21 further challenged "presumed" damages—a remedy traditionally range remedies. Alternatively, worst error. 22 Neither merit. Presumed seeks likely occurred establish, some possibly 262, 1051; Dun Bradstreet, Inc. Greenmoss Builders, 472 749, 760-761, 2939, 2946, 86 593 (1985) (opinion J.); 349, 3011. circumstances, roughly approximate thereby harms impossible measure. earlier explained, serve instead called values. damages.14 rough required case, since nonmonetary conduct. harmless. 28 2111; McDonough Power Equipment, Greenwood, 464 548, 104 845, 78 663 (1984). faulty reveal means calculated "[the] charge difficult, impossible, correct retrial, general verdict." 256, 12, 2754, 12. categories provisions submission Although specified remaining effect unknowable, although probably significant: very none loss.15 It likely, certain, major "compensate" For reasons, remanded IV 24 proceedings consistent opinion. 25 so ordered. 26 STEVENS join MARSHALL'S judgment. 27 whom join, I agree Certain portions opinion, however, suggest necessarily "out-of-pocket loss," "other harms," "such 'impairment suffering.' ante, 307. understand hold, write separately emphasize proper cases, itself starting point area (1978). recognized 1047; see 306-307. concrete simple 1048. "It clear," stated, "that rules will complete solution every case." 258, 1049. Rather, tailored question—just defined branches law." 259, 1050. 30 Applying principles, made damage. repeated, another." referred support wrongfully vote, requiring demonstration 22, 1052-1053, 22. 31 Courts invasions sometimes cause redressed wooden rules.* 275-281, 57-63 (1985), cites, 309, 13, defendant Bureau Investigation agents invaded assemble peaceable political protest, associate others engage expression, speak issues unreasonable government interference. defendants succeeded diverting from, impeding in, protest activities. Columbia Amendment-protected interest apart "emotional distress, humiliation indignity, pain, embarrassment, fear, anxiety anguish" plaintiffs. U.S.App.D.C., 280, F.2d, 62 (footnotes omitted). warned, compensated "reasonably quantifiable"; so-called violated." Ibid. 32 correctly stated law. deprived, example, express views, "[i]t facile done." Dellums Powell, 184 275, 303, 566 195 (1977). Loss constitutes 'in most pristine classic form.' Ibid., Edwards South Carolina, 372 229, 235, 83 680, 683, 697 (1963). reason why same time, proportional sustained. 33 given improper require focus actually sustained invited base speculation government" republic," guided admonition "[i]n speculate matters detached real occasioned Further, grant "abstract value" process—a directly barred decision 34 remands deprivations never injuries. rule inconsistent logic defeat denying genuine One member follows: "At uproar completely out control. People hollering shouting statement Mr. return morning, picket panic, [the Superintendent] order maintain peace district, full pay get mess straightened out." Tr. 583-584, 211, 214 1985). liable bulk Board, assessed $233,750 Three individual each $8,250, while $2,750. Nine ranging $1,000 $15,000. L.E.2d several concluded proper, least long substantive. Bell Little Axe Independent Dist. 70, 766 1391 (CA10 1985); Herrera Valentine, 653 1220, 1227-1229 (CA8 1981); Konczak Tyrrell, 603 (CA7 1979) (dicta), 444 1016, 100 668, 646 (1980). Love, Damages: A Remedy Violation Rights, 67 Calif.L.Rev. 1242 (1979). Other courts reasoning forecloses awards. 278-279, 60-61 Familias Unidas Briscoe, 391, 402 (CA5 1980); Davis Village Park Realty Co., 578 461, 463 (CA2 1978). Freeman Franzen, 695 485, 492-494 1982), 1214, 3553, 77 1400 preserve below. Petitioners' counsel expressly objected authorization impermissible "speculate what is." 97-98. responded stating relied 1227, Corriz Naranjo, 667 892 (CA10), dism'd, 458 1123, 73 1394 (1982). 98. similar exchange satisfies "stat[ed] distinctly matter object[ed] grounds objection," Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 51, understood objection. written copies deliberations. reads: "Every person who, color statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, State Territory Columbia, subjects, causes subjected, United States jurisdiction thereof secured Constitution laws, shall party injured action law, equity, proceeding redress." willful malicious behavior. Restatement (Second) 908(1) (1979); W. Keeton, R. Owen, Prosser Keeton (5th ed.1984); C. McCormick, 275 (1935). Electrical Workers Foust, 442 42, 48, 99 2121, 2125, 60 698 (1983), available case. requisite intent. 94-95 (authorizing acts "maliciously, wantonly, oppressively done"); 1637. not, reasonably, contend equivalent malice ill will. labeled rights" compensatory. unless reasonably generally Whitman, Torts, 79 Mich.L.Rev. approve nominal 266, Our discussion undefinable infringed "vindicating" whose actual, injury: "Common-law vindicated 'absolute' sum money. By making actionable recognizes organized scrupulously observed; remains true or, exemplary (footnote encompass claim either Due Process Clause treat Appeals' all final purposes decision. task adapting fair right" "of delicacy." 279-281, 61-63. "delicate" undertaken here. None parties challenges portion authorize 1983, truly reason, Nixon Herndon, 273 536, 446, 71 L.Ed. 759 (1927), Nixon, illegally prevented voting state primary election Accord, Lane 307 268, 59 872, 1281 (1939). rest vote matter; rather, injury—his inability election—that 540, 446 ("the petition private damage"). followed line going back Lord Holt's Ashby White, Ld.Raym. 938, 92 Eng.Rep. 126 (1703), elections. Wiley Sinkler, 179 58, 65, 17, 20, 45 84 (1900); Wayne Venable, 260 64, 66 1919). decisions shows involve nothing easily quantified: "In eyes th[e] [to vote] valuable wrongful money, property, thing, peculiarly determination jury, knowledge 955, Eng.Rep., 137 (Holt, C.J.) ("As slanderous words, though man lose penny speaking [of] them, yet action"). "value suffered—a "each knowledge." general, matter, government. Thus, wisdom changing scope century, noncompensatory Throughout continued receive teacher's salary. See, e.g., 70 Cleveland Cty., 1391, 1408-1413 Kincaid Rusk, 670 737, 745-746 1982); Mickens Winston, 462 F.Supp. 910, 913 (ED Va.1978), summarily aff'd, 609 508 (CA4 1979).

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