Document: 514 U.S. 35115 S.Ct. 1203131 L.Ed.2d 60 Tom SWINT, et al., Petitionersv.CHAMBERS COUNTY COMMISSION al. No. 93-1636. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Jan. 10, 1995. Decided March 1, Syllabus by * In wake police raids on a nightclub in Chambers County, Alabama, two club's owners joined an employee and patron (all petitioners here) sued respondent County Commission, along with municipality three individual officers; sought damages other relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for alleged civil rights violations. The District denied summary judgment motions all five defendants, ruling, inter alia, that officers were not entitled to qualified immunity from suit sheriff who authorized raids, although state employee, may have been County's final policymaker law enforcement. stated it would rule dispositively liability before jury deliberations. Invoking order denying is appealable trial, Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 511, 530, 105 2806, 2817-2818, 86 411, defendants immediately appealed. Commission also appealed, arguing denial its motion was as collateral satisfying test announced Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 546, 69 1221, 1225-1226, 93 L.Ed. 1528, and, alternatively, Eleventh Circuit had "pendent appellate jurisdiction" decide questions presented Commission. rejected Commission's first argument, but asserted pendent jurisdiction over appeal. Determining held judgment. Held: lacked at this interlocutory stage litigation accordingly, should dismissed Pp. __. (a) Cohen, supra, S.Ct., which allows immediate appeal decisions are conclusive, resolve important separate merits, effectively unreviewable question fails because tentative, having intention revisit initial determination. Moreover, reviewable after judgment, assertion ranks solely defense liability, lost if case erroneously permitted go trial. See Mitchell, 526, 2815-2816. (b) There no party" kind purported exercise. Although court unquestionably review officers' motions, did thereby gain authority once unrelated liability. parties' arguments contrary drift away statutory instructions Congress has given control timing proceedings. particular, 28 1292(b) confers district courts line discretion certify orders deemed pivotal debatable; provision grants appeals only certified court. If type here claimed Circuit, 1292(b)'s two-tiered arrangement be severely undermined. Furthermore, provisions passed 1990 1992, 2072(c) 1292(e), designate rulemaking process way define or refine when ruling "final" appealable. These legislative counsel resistance expansion decision. Abney States, 431 651, 662-663, 97 2034, 2041-2042, 52 Stanley, 483 669, 676-677, 107 3054, 3059-3060, 550, securely support conclusion motion. parties correct universally required confine precise decision independently subject review, need definitively preemptively settle whether proper one conjunctively, related rulings themselves do not—indeed could not—contend Court's deny ground county inextricably intertwined court's defendants' former necessary ensure meaningful latter. 5 F.3d 1435 (CA11 1993) 11 1030 1994), vacated part remanded. GINSBURG, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Robert B. McDuff, petitioners. Paul R.Q. Wolfson, U.S., amicus curiae special leave Smith, respondents. Justice GINSBURG 1 successive (petitioners (respondent here), City Wadley, officers. Petitioners relief, pursuant 1983, We granted certiorari Appeals executive officer agent reach issue, however, we conclude litigation. 2 based their suit. But appeal, hold, does fit within "collateral order" doctrine, nor there take up case. therefore vacate relevant portion Circuit's remand proceedings consistent opinion. 3 On December 14, 1990, again 29, 1991, enforcement raided Capri Club narcotics operation. conducted without search warrant arrest warrant. filed suit, alleging, among claims violations federal rights. named Commission; Wadley; Sheriff James C. Morgan, Wadley Police Chief Freddie Officer Gregory Dendinger. 4 moved varying grounds. petitioners' claims. Anderson Creighton, 635, 639, 3034, 3038-3039, 523 (1987) (governmental officials immune unless conduct unreasonable light clearly established law). Without addressing participated municipality, argued respondeat superior theory used hold liable 1983. Monell New York Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 694, 98 2018, 2037, 56 611 (1978) (a local government injury inflicted nonpolicymaking employees agents). County. Middle Alabama agreed imposed employee; City's motion, failed argue Morgan Regarding "persuaded Plaintiffs [James C.] decision-maker ferreting out crime, he State employee." App. Pet. Cert. A-67. later reconsideration, indicated intent revisit, deliberations, County: 6 "The Defendants correctly point policy maker can decide. What th[is] decided [prior order] come forward sufficient evidence persuade will opportunity convince make matter issue goes jury." Id., A-72. 7 411 (1985), arguing, first, motions—like motions—was 1528 (1949) (decisions apart merits underlying action, appealed immediately). Alternatively, urged exercise jurisdiction," power earlier cases. Stressing undisputed pleas, maintained that, interest judicial economy, resolve, simultaneously, appeals. 8 affirmed reversed defendants. 1435, 1448 (1993), modified, 1030, 1031-1032 (1994). Next, rejections orders. 1449, 1452. Nevertheless, 1449-1450. Holding area enforcement, 1450-1451. declined yet City. 1451-1452.1 9 Appeals' 512 ----, 114 2671, 129 808 then instructed file supplemental briefs question: Given refusal grant response pleas immunity, motion? 513 115 415, 130 331 now want jurisdiction. II 10 inquire order. answer, recognized, firm "No." By statute, "jurisdiction courts," except where direct 1291. doctrine best understood exception 'final decision' laid down 1291, 'practical construction' it." Digital Equipment Corp. Desktop Direct, Inc., 511 1995, 128 842 (1994) (quoting 1226). 1291 permits disassociates itself case, small category they end litigation, must nonetheless considered "final." 1225-1226. That includes action. Ibid. 12 planned reconsider went jury. initially determined "Sheriff County." A-67 (emphasis added). thus test, "disallow[s] any informal incomplete." 1225; see Coopers & Lybrand Livesay, 437 463, 469, 2454, 2458, 57 351 (order class certification such "subject revision Court"). 13 satisfy Cohen's requirement When placed stressed official's "an rather than mere liability; like absolute trial." 2815 original). 14 invokes our Monell, municipalities occur official governmental custom. contends, read accord governments right free burdens Accordingly, maintains, able This argument undervalues core reiterated last Term: "§ requires view 'right tried' skepticism, jaundiced eye," Equipment, 1999, "virtually every enforced appropriately pretrial dismissal might loosely described conferring stand trial.' " 1998; cf. MacDonald, 435 850, 858-859, 1547, 1552, 18 (denial dismiss indictment speedy trial grounds doctrine). 15 rank, decisions, Instead, plea "mere liability." 2815. An erroneous reviewed Therefore, III 16 recognized order, assuming motions. Describing discretionary, concluded economy warranted instant case: "If about appeal," explained, "reviewing put entire against . ." F.3d, 1450.2 17 join urging Both sides emphasize 1291's designed prevent interrupting pursuing piecemeal Once already interrupted reason, cause resist promotes. Supplemental Brief 16-17; Respondent 5, 9. invites us adopt 'libera[l]' construction urge interpretation sufficiently "[p]ractical" "[f]lexible" accommodate exercised Circuit. 4; 14. main "final decisions," followed prescriptions "interlocutory 1292. Section 1292(a) lists categories decisions.3 Of prime significance jurisdictional us, Congress, 1958, augmented 1292 catalogue orders; added provision, 1292(b), according circumscribed debatable. provides: 19 "When judge, making action otherwise section, shall involves controlling substantial difference materially advance ultimate termination so writing thereupon, discretion, permit taken application made ten days entry order: Provided, hereunder stay judge thereof order." 20 chose confer allow appeals.4 append Cohen-authorized further neither court, mandates undermined.5 21 Two relatively recent additions Judicial Code manner endorsed Rules Enabling Act, 2071 seq., gives "the prescribe general rules practice procedure cases appeals." 2072(a). 2072(c), authorizes "defin[ing] purposes section 1291." years later, "prescribe rules, accordance 2072 provide provided [§ 1292] subsection (a), (b), (c), (d)." 22 empowered clarify qualifies purposes, expand list basis. ordered changes, decision, 2072. Our constrained §§ 2073 2074, require, things, meetings bench-bar committees recommend ordinarily open public, 2073(c)(1), proposed submitted takes effect. 2074(a). Congress' designation warrants Judiciary's full respect.6 23 instantly motion: 651 (1977), 550 (1987). Abney, double jeopardy Immediate held, doctrine. 662, 2041-2042. simultaneously rejection defendant's challenge sufficiency indictment. explained: 24 "Our defendant seek his claim considerations permeating nature justify departure normal finality. Quite obviously, extend beyond formal encompass to, by, passing accused's dismiss. Rather, if, too fall collateral-order final-judgment rule. Any encourage criminal of, assert, frivolous bring more serious, nonappealable attention prior conviction sentence." 663, 2042 (citation omitted). 25 suggest only. 11. concern expressed Abney—that allowing parlay Cohen-type into multi-issue tickets—bears well. 26 similarly refused scope involved accepted 1292(b). limited order; issues other, noncertified simultaneously. 3059-60. 27 See, e.g., Thornburgh American College Obstetricians Gynecologists, 476 747, 755-757, 106 2169, 2175-2177, 90 779 (1986) (court reviewing preliminary injunction request properly well); Eisen Carlisle Jacquelin, 417 156, 172-173, 94 2140, 2150, 40 732 (1974) allocating costs notification methods notification); Chicago, R.I. P.R. Co. Stude, 346 574, 578, 74 290, 293-294, 317 (1954) granting opposing party's remand); Deckert Independence Shares 311 282, 287, 61 229, 232-233, 85 189 (1940) dismiss). Cf. Schlagenhauf Holder, 379 104, 110-111, 234, 238, 152 (1964) exercising mandamus mental physical examinations personal good examinations). ____ (describing regarding disposition case). contend Kanji, Proper Scope Pendent Appellate Jurisdiction Collateral Order Context, 100 Yale L.J. 530 (1990) ("Only essential resolution qualify expedited consideration."). Nor argue. turns violated law; allocation Alabama. 29 30 include order," 31 It ordered. NOTE: Where feasible, syllabus (headnote) released, being done connection time issued. constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 50 499. Morgan's suggestion rehearing en banc, modified respect banc. Federal Courts jurisdiction, views exercised. Roque-Rodriguez Lema Moya, 926 F.2d 103, 105, n. (CA1 1991) (noting First "refrained" characterizing "self-imposed"); Golino Haven, 950 864, 868-869 (CA2 (exercising consider overlap exists factors issues), cert. denied, 505 112 3032, 120 902 (1992); Natale Ridgefield, 927 101, 104 exceptional circumstances litigants, whom cannot ride coattails another party."); National Union Fire Ins. Savings, F.S.B., 376, 382, (CA3 1994) (reserving available "necessary order") (internal quotation marks omitted); Roberson Mullins, 132, 136 (CA4 (recognizing "if substantially avoid appeals") Silver Star Enterprises M/V SARAMACCA, 1008, 1014 (CA5 (declining "inextricably entwined" order); Williams Kentucky, 1526, 1542 (CA6 (same); ex rel. Valders Stone Marble, Inc. C-Way Constr. 909 259, 262 (CA7 1990) (pendent "[w]hen unappealable entwined "compelling reasons" review; "close relationship" between suffice) Drake Scott, 812 395, 399 (CA8) ("[W]hen closely law."), 484 965, 108 455, 395 (1987); TransWorld Airlines, Coupon Exchange, 913 676, 680 (CA9 (jurisdiction 1291(a)(1) basis "extends matters 'inextricably bound up' th[at] order"); Robinson Volkswagenwerk AG, 940 1369, 1374 (CA10 "review consideration issue" served review), 502 1091, 1160, 117 408 Stewart Baldwin Bd. Ed., 908 1499, 1509 ("Pendent case."); Consarc Iraqi Ministry, 695, 700 (CADC ("This invoked [pendent jurisdiction] narrow cases, 'closely related' order."). provides part: "[T]he from: "(1) Interlocutory granting, continuing, modifying, refusing dissolving injunctions, dissolve modify Court; "(2) appointing receivers, wind receiverships steps accomplish thereof, directing sales disposals property; "(3) decrees judges determining liabilities admiralty allowed." proposal, Jerome Frank Second give sole Judge opposed contingent upon procurement certificate judge; advanced instead following proposal: 'It duty warranted; statement appended petition or, promptly possible filing appeals, forwarded said judge. account, discretion.' Undated letter study committee Tenth Conference, S.Rep. 2434, 85th Cong., 2d Sess., 8-9 (1958), reprinted 1958 U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 5261-5262. indicates how lodged circumvented "liberal" "flexible" approach prefer. ruled tentatively apparently contemplated receipt definitively. reconsider, A-72 ("The jury."); Swint 1452 (to determine policymaker, "should examine positive customs practices force ") incomplete adjudication, including some uncertainty plaintiffs meant sue discrete members, unlikely forthcoming Judge. merely party jurisdiction: ' note endeavored codify instances appropriate "supplemental" courts. 1367 (1988 ed., Supp. V); 1367(a) (providing "supplemental "claims involve joinder intervention additional parties").

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