Document: 449 U.S. 90 101 S.Ct. 411 66 L.Ed.2d 308 Marvin ALLEN et al., Petitioners,v.Willie McCURRY. No. 79-935. Argued Oct. 8, 1980. Decided Dec. 9, Syllabus At a hearing before respondent's criminal trial, Missouri court denied, in part, motion to suppress, on Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment grounds, certain evidence that had been seized by the police. Respondent was subsequently convicted, conviction affirmed appeal. Because he did not assert state courts denied him "full fair opportunity" litigate his search-and-seizure claim, respondent barred Stone v. Powell, 428 465, 96 3037, 49 1067, from seeking writ of habeas corpus federal district court. Nevertheless, sought federal-court redress for alleged constitutional violation bringing suit damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against officers who question. The Federal District Court granted summary judgment defendants, holding collateral estoppel prevented relitigating question already decided courts. Appeals reversed remanded, noting supra, relief was, therefore, only route forum directed trial allow proceed unencumbered estoppel. Held: erred inability obtain upon claim renders doctrine inapplicable suit. Nothing language or legislative history discloses any congressional intent deny binding effect state-court decision when court, acting within its proper jurisdiction, has given parties full opportunity claims, thereby shown itself willing able protect rights. Nor does anything 1983's reveal purpose afford less deference judgments proceedings than those civil proceedings. Pp. 94-105. 8th Cir., 606 F.2d 795, remanded. John J. Fitzgibbon, St. Louis, Mo., petitioners. Jeffrey Shank, respondent. Justice STEWART, delivered opinion Court. 1 respondent, Willie McCurry, invoked Amendments suppress suppression McCurry convicted after jury trial. later State 587 S.W.2d 337 (Mo.App.1979). search seizure this Court's entered home We certiorari consider whether unavailability police raising courts' partial rejection McCurry's as defense them damages. 444 1070, 100 1012, 62 751. 2 * In April 1977, several undercover officers, following an informant's tip dealing heroin, went house attempt purchase.1 Two petitioners Allen Jacobsmeyer, knocked front door, while other hid nearby. When opened two asked buy some heroin "caps." back into returned soon thereafter, firing pistol at seriously wounding Jacobsmeyer. After gun battle with their reinforcements, retreated house; emerged again demanded surrender. Several then without warrant, purportedly persons inside. One drugs contraband lay plain view, well additional found dresser drawers auto tires porch. 3 charged possession assault kill. pretrial hearing, judge excluded tires, but view. both offenses. 4 filed present action $1 million unnamed individual city Louis department. complaint conspiracy violate rights, unconstitutional house, unknown arrested handcuffed. moved judgment. apparently stood gist be allegedly judgment, 466 F.Supp. 514 (ED Mo.1978).2 5 remanded case 795 (CA8 1979).3 appellate said it generally issues determined plaintiff Id. 798. But relief, invoking "the special role protecting rights," F.2d, 799, concluded estoppel.4 II 6 have traditionally adhered related doctrines res judicata Under judicata, final merits precludes privies were could raised action. Cromwell County Sac, 94 351, 352, 24 L.Ed. 195. estoppel, once issue fact law necessary may preclude relitigation different cause involving party first case. Montana United States, 440 147, 153, 99 970, 973, 59 210.5 As often recognized, relieve cost vexation multiple lawsuits, conserve judicial resources, and, preventing inconsistent decisions, encourage reliance adjudication. Id., 153-154, S.Ct., 973-974. 7 recent years, reaffirmed benefits particular, finding policies underlying apply contexts formerly recognized common law. Thus, eliminated requirement mutuality applying bar earlier suits, Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc. University Illinois Foundation, 402 313, 91 1434, 28 788, allowed litigant use "offensively" new lost case, Parklane Hosiery Co. Shore, 439 322, 645, 58 552.6 one general limitation repeatedly is concept cannot whom asserted 973; U.S., 328-329, 1443.7 8 also consistently accorded preclusive E. g., supra; Angel Bullington, 330 183, 67 657, 832. reduce unnecessary litigation foster adjudication, promote comity between bulwark system. See Younger Harris, 401 37, 43-45, 746, 750-51, 27 669. 9 Indeed, though look supporting assessing decisions courts, Congress specifically required all give whenever which would do so: 10 "[J]udicial [of State] shall same faith credit every States Territories Possessions they usage such State. . ." 1738 (1976).8 11 Huron Holding Corp. Lincoln Mine Operating Co., 312 193, 61 513, 517, 85 725; Davis Davis, 305 32, 40, 3, 6, 26. It background we examine relationship III 12 This never directly rules are applicable actions. Preiser Rodriguez, 475, 497, 93 1827, 1840, 36 439, noted implicit approval view principles fully rights suits brought statute. Huffman Pursue, Ltd., 420 592, 606, n. 18, 95 1200, 1209, 43 482; Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 554, 12, 2963, 2974, 41 935.9 And virtually unanimous Courts since presents no categorical application concepts.10 These spoken little explanation citation assuming compatibility preclusion, statute clearly support decisions. 13 still alive until century, see 322-323, 1439-1440, drafters 1871 Civil Rights Act, reason concern themselves preclusion modern would. certainly applied privies, nothing remotely expresses contravene common-law repeal express statutory requirements predecessor 1738, supra. Section creates action.11 says about judgments.12 14 Moreover, clear way suggest intended restrict traditional preclusion. main goal Act override corrupting influence Ku Klux Klan sympathizers governments enforcement agencies Southern Monroe Pape, 365 167, 174, 81 473, 477, 492, course debates show strong motive behind enactment grave deficient Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 241-242, 92 2151, 2161-2162, 32 705; 180, 480.13 context whole, lends most equivocal argument that, cases where claims provided procedures determining them, judicata. Since repeals implication disfavored, Radzanower Touche Ross & 426 148, 154, 1989, 1993, 48 540, much clearer hold suits. 15 understood legislation, realized enacting altering balance power 241, 2161. doing so, adding jurisdiction subtracting 481 ("The remedy supplementary .").14 contain references concurrent over questions,15 numerous suggestions retain established so could, current political passions abated, demonstrate sensitivity rights.16 16 To extent intend change questions 42d thoroughly consistent reviewing inferred three circumstances: substantive facially unconstitutional, procedural inadequate law, adequate theory, practice. 173-174, 476-477. short, step unable unwilling 176, 478. understanding might exception provide failed even acknowledge existence principle based claim. Such exception, however, essentially important limit exists: Collateral 95. strength simply because court's erroneous.17 17 acknowledged squarely held applies plaintiffs relitigate proceedings.18 adversely came inStone 1067.19 actions least part estopped party's access another through corpus.20 thus Powell removed right corpus, should deprive 18 logical doctrinal source ruling. assessed costs judge-made exclusionary rule boundaries writs incremental deterrent issuance conduct justify imposed administration justice. 489-496, 3050-3053. concerns prudent exercise 2254. bearing judgments. 19 actual basis Appeals' appears framed person asserting entitled regardless legal posture arises. authority difficult discern. lie Constitution, makes guarantee, leaves scope wisdom Congress.21 itself. For reasons discussed length, proves reveals proceedings.22 There is, believe claiming unrestricted arose proceeding rather engaged all.23 20 Through 1983, equitable types injuries. considered substitute injury, release applicant unlawful physical confinement, 484, 1833; Fay Noia, 372 391, 399, 5, 83 822, 827, 837,24 particularly light extremely narrow prisoners 1871. 21 conceivable universal hardly all, distrust capacity render correct issues. ironic occasion expression attitude litigation, emphatic reaffirmation obligation uphold confidence ability so. 493-494, 35, 3051-52, 35; Robb Connolly, 111 624, 637, 544, 551, 542 (Harlan, J.). 22 suit.25 Accordingly, reversed, opinion. 23 ordered. BLACKMUN, BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 25 concerned obviously far transcend ugly facts convictions assault. 26 today holds notions force 1983. my Court, ruling, ignores import disregards underlie enforcement. shows insensitive significant differences rule, pressures defendant make free choice illusory. I doubt appropriate many cases, denial serve harm relations tribunals. Nonetheless, analysis particular unacceptable me. works injustice plaintiff, more protection consideration core enacters' intent. dissent. deciding silent, prior uniformly legislators great weight.1 example, reference judicially created immunity doctrine, observed "immunity claimed time enacted, rationale compatible purposes construed incorporate immunity." Owen City Independence, 445 622, 638, 1398, 1409, 63 673 (1980).2 very inquiry must made order ensure will continue goals Congress. minimizes significance discounts own explicit interpretations Its discussion limited articulating what terms single fundamental Respondent's position quite analysis. Although expressly existing survive plainly anticipated creation administered indifferently either court.3 intent, expressed supporters4 opponents,5 restructure courts.6 deliberately citizens response States' failure justice Contrary presently solely regularity. Even there regularity, stresses, believed unobtainable.7 availability meant turn whether, adequate. Assessing affairs determination oversight determinations effective 29 That conceived alter Congress' opening these claims. consciously acted broadest possible manner.8 perceived being done dominated Klan, seems senseless suppose adjudications. supposition contradict obvious aim wrongs perpetuated 30 appreciate capable alternative interpretations. opinion, ante, 98-101. thought, our reading required. embodies policy favor primary arbiters rights.9 51 492 (1961), passed legislation ineffective, although available, remedies: 31 "It abundantly because, prejudice, passion, neglect, intolerance otherwise, laws enforced enjoyment privileges, immunities guaranteed agencies." 480.10 me misconstrue meaning Monroe. states practice." Ante, 100-101. true described circumstances "three aims" legislation. 173, 476. Yet recounting articulation illustrative why chose establish delineation available. conclusion available matter law: 33 answer if relief. remedy, latter need refused invoked. Hence constitution outlaws unreasonable searches seizures barrier court." 481. 34 705 (1972), reiterated relations: 35 "Section product vast transformation concepts federalism prevailed late 18th century. interpose people, guardians people's rights-to people color 'whether executive, legislative, judicial.' Ex parte Virginia, [339], 346 [25 676]." 242, 2162.11 least, now narrow, repudiate, distribution 37 note England Medical Examiners, 375 411, 84 461, (1964), abstention submit precluded entirely having initially pass relied unqualified Congress, pursuant authorization, conferred specific categories courts," "fundamental objections properly can compelled, consent fault own, accept instead claims." 415, 464. set out "if freely reservation submits litigates there, then-whether seeks direct review Court-he elected forgo return Court." 419, 466. understand abandon approach. 38 fashions strict confining cases. 210 (1979), pronounced major factors serves court: 39 "[W]hether presented substance .; controlling changed significantly judgment; finally, warrant normal preclusion." 155, 975. 40 collateral-estoppel adjudication factor, namely, considers "one limitation" inherent preclusion: "that 'full opportunity' case." 95, 101. If factor present, asserts, court.12 one. believe, requires narrow,13 lead relevant each concluding warranted. seek prevent constitutionality searching violative defendant's justified circumstances. defendants action, privity prosecutor. Therefore, "issue preclusion"14 stake. persuade conclude First, passed, nonparty's ability, practical matter, invoke nonexistent. opponent conclusively proceeding, unless "mutuality."15 Additionally, definitions "cause action" "issue" narrow.16 result, obviously, arise affect subsequent litigation. approved defendant, tried arising arrest. Also, process exclude admit equivalent proceeding. utterly different. challenge collaterally. most, wins contrast, exclusion conviction. A faced evidence, confronts institutional shape result subsidiary determine guilt innocence subconsciously, weigh potential damage truth-seeking caused excluding evidence. 489-495, 3050-3052, 1067 (1976). Cf. Bivens Six Unknown Narcotics Agents, 403 388, 411-424, 1999, 2012-2018, 619 (1971) (dissenting opinion). 44 chosen "voluntarily" risk puts pressure raise defenses.17 He faces uncertainty forgoing issue, possibility waived appeal issue. "deliberate bypass" procedures, imposition encourages, surely preferred goal. raises "freely 466, reality. involuntary tribunal, forces arrayed. fundamentally unfair. 45 affirm Appeals. drawn 1979). (1979). upheld entry reasonable emergency circumstances, illegal discovered except 340. therefore argues here declared contend, hand, entry, possibly prayer. argue removes Appeals, addressed broad applicability respect us. Beyond overlooked charges. 797, 1. relying 669, abstain conducting exhausted opportunities 799. Restatement Judgments speaks "claim preclusion" (Second) 74 (Tent. Draft Apr. 15, 1976). Some commentators "res judicata" forms suggestion dissenting post, 113, involve claimant previous trends expanding effects judgments, broadened definition "claim" greater 326, 1441. Other factors, course, require 162, 978 (unmixed successive unrelated claims). dissent, 112-113, "fashion" stringent nor turns gave Our all. Rather, construes conventional hand. emphasized exceptions qualifications bounds ultimately defeat 2, existed unchanged form just ratification May 26, 1790, ch. 11, Stat. 122, re-enactment Mar. 27, 1804, 56, 298-299. means authenticating records credit. 1738. proceedings, e. Coogan Cincinnati Bar Assn., 431 1211 (CA6 1970), Goss Illinois, 257, 259 (CA7 1963). Robbins 592 1015 1979); Jennings Caddo Parish School Bd., 531 1331 (CA5 1976); Lovely Laliberte, 498 1261 (CA1 1974); Brown Georgia Power 491 117 Tang Appellate Division, 487 138 (CA2 1973). few suggested peculiar circumstance: Where adverse party. Graves Olgiati, 550 1327 1977); Lombard Board Ed. New York City, 502 631 Mack Florida Bd. Dentistry, 430 862 1970). us, intimate correctly decided. "Every who, statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, Territory, subjects, causes subjected, citizen thereof deprivation secured Constitution laws, liable injured equity, redress." argued remains Erie R. Tompkins, 304 64, 817, 82 1188, away take almost Currie, Res Judicata: Neglected Defense, U.Chi.L.Rev. 317, 328 (1978). By roughly contemporaneous extending rendered "null void" Feb. 1867, 28, 1, 385, 386 (current version 2254), adverts requiring exhaust remedies, 2254(b), presuming resolution factual eight 2254(d). event, review, provides analogy finds unique corpus-to confinement. Sanders 373 1068, 1073, 148. See, Cong. Globe, Cong., 1st Sess., 374-376 (1871) (Rep. Lowe); id., 394 Rainey); 653 (Sen. Osborn). post-Civil War period issues, postjudgment removal whose threatened biased "are enforce [their rights] tribunals State." 1866, 31, 27. Poland); 695 Edmunds); Martinez California, 277, 283-284, n.7, 553, 558, (noting entertain reserving so). Senator Edmunds, floor manager bill Senate, end debates: "The bill, like bills character, second sections, declaration provision punishment conspiracies wrongs. undertake overthrow regular honor due crime. ordinary processes administration, way, forcible resistance offered quiet justice." 697-698 (1871). Representative Coburn belief passage tumbling tottering spring up resume long-neglected giving, ought, themselves, equal all." 460. Sheldon noted: "Convenience courtesy sparing national authority] supplant extreme necessity, criminally refuse neglect duties them. sufficient, proper, permanent affording injuries Constitution. 368. dissent suggests, 112, 440, demonstrates impropriety inapposite submitted violated abstained remitted moot 413, 463. state- federal-law him. 414, circumstance, reserved informing intention necessary, litigating depended case: invokes instance duty jurisdiction. Abstention postpone abdicate, obviate erroneous construction 416, 7, 7. whatsoever Fernandez Trias Monge, 586 848, 854 1978); Wiggins Murphy, 576 572, 573 (CA4 Martin Delcambre, 578 1164, 1165 Winters Lavine, 574 46, Metros 441 313 (CA10 1971); Kauffman Moss, 1270, 1274 (CA3 1970); Mulligan Schlachter, 389 231, 233 1968). Dictum Ney 1285, 1288 (CA9 1971), "a dead letter," prosecutor agreed withdraw Amendment, Brubaker King, 505 534, 537-538 (1974), Seventh Circuit different-the legality former good latter-the state-decision solution, fails recognize legally foreclose bad faith. Clark Lutcher, 436 1266 (MD Pa.1977). Rimmer Fayetteville Police Department, 567 273, 276 Thistlewaite York, 497 339, 343 1973); Alexander Emerson, 489 285, 286 U.S.Const., Art. III. remarks proponents quoted 16, contrary. degree rest disagreement effect. Emich Motors General Corp., 340 71 408, 534. prospect deter imagine risking imprisonment hoped win seizure. bounded exhaustion remedies rules, 2254, counterparts continuing illogic treating fungible violations. decide how body estoppel-doctrine Maine Thiboutot, 448 2502, 65 555 (1980); Monell Dept. Social Services, 658, 98 2018, 56 611 (1978); Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, 984, 47 128 Robertson Wegmann, 584, 1991, 554 (1978) (survival action); Carey Piphus, 435 247, 97 1642, 55 252 (nature award). Osborn's 13, 1871, illustrate contemporary understanding: "That respective disorders existing, preservation life property sections country beyond government, sufficient [enact protective legislation]. remedy? lies chiefly circuit proven competent local disorders, maintain order, called legislate subject driven South themselves; i. e., complete courts." 653. 460 (remarks Rep. Coburn, Congressman's "spring resume" observation, 100. interpret way) further above mere county courts; judges act independence, put terror, can; sympathies nearly identified vicinage; jurors taken State, neighborhood; rise prejudices terror easily. trust propose so"); Cong.Globe, App., 79 (comments Perry) section .") (emphasis added). 396 Rice) ("[The bill] bold dangerous assertion Government intervene internal regulations suspend rightful authority. war spirit republican Government"); 416 Biggs) ("[If pass] history, whatever provocation, namely: authorized crimes offenses personal character among us tribunals, superior authority, altogether extraordinary character[.] authorization premises contrary notwithstanding"); 86 Storm) ("Now tried, it, error, twenty-fifth 1789, Supreme review. right. takes whole forever; say ground delay objectionable"). 686-687 Sen. Schurz); 216 Thurman). 149 Garfield) (stating considering equipoise opposing poles despotism shallows absorbs single-central, government," other, "extreme sovereignty nationality impossible"). 78 ("Sheriffs, eyes see, not; judges, ears hear, hear witnesses conceal truth falsify it; grand petit juries accomplices. presence gangs apparatus machinery justice, skulk government feared detection. Among things Of uncounted scores hundreds atrocious mutilations murders credibly stated punished"); Osborn) mainly [Klan] oath, powerless"); Rainey) sometimes asked, Why redress? necessity appealing Congress? instances control wholly inimical impartial equity. What benefit secretly sympathy evil striving?"); 153 ("But chief unequal, face, yet, systematic maladministration refusal provisions, portion them"); 166-167 Williams regarding methods securing perjured testimony). Shellabarger, bill's sponsor, stated: "This remedial, aid human liberty All statutes provisions authorizing liberally beneficently construed. strange civilized monstrous interpretation. your everywhere else wise interpretation, largest latitude words employed construing defend people." 68. (1961); McNeese Education, 668, 1433, 622 (1963); Zwickler Koota, 88 (1967). Pape municipality "person" overruled 664-689, 2022-2035. Monroe's authoritative pronouncement evident Nation federally rights; instrumentalities might, fact, antipathetic vindication failings extended 2162. raised, actually litigated 68.1 4, F. James G. Hazard, Procedure §§ 11.16-11.22 (2d ed. 1977). 195 (1877); 11.3, 11.16 Triplett Lowell, 297 80 949 (1936), 788 (1971); Bigelow Old Dominion Copper Mining Smelting 225 111, 641, 1009 (1912); 11.2 (1942); 1B Moore, Practice &Par; 0.412[1], 0.441[3] 1974). Compare McCaskill, Actions Causes Action, Yale L.J. 614, 638 (1925) (defining group operative which, standing alone, delict giving state, invaded"), C. Clark, Handbook Law Code Pleading (1928) (adopting "modern" include "right"). H. Herman, Estoppel Judicata 92, ("cause action"), 98, 103, ("issue") (1886); Developments Law-Res Judicata, Harv.L.Rev. 818, 826, 841-843 (1952). Moran Mitchell, 354 86, 88-89 Va.1973) dilemma).

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