Document: 456 U.S. 444 102 S.Ct. 1874 72 L.Ed.2d 249 Joseph GREENE, et al., Appellantsv.Linnie LINDSEY, al. No. 81-341. Argued Feb. 23, 1982. Decided May 17, Syllabus A Kentucky statute permits service of process in forcible entry or detainer actions to be made by posting a summons "in conspicuous place on the premises," if defendant member defendant's family over 16 years age cannot found premises. Service under this was appellee tenants public housing project door each their apartments. Appellees claim that they never saw summonses and did not know eviction proceedings until were served with writs possession, executed after default judgments had been entered against them opportunity for appeal lapsed. They then filed class action Federal District Court appellant officials, seeking declaratory injunctive relief 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging notice procedures employed violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. The granted summary judgment appellants, holding such deny due process. Appeals reversed. Held : In failing afford appellees adequate before issuing final orders eviction, State deprived property without law required Pp. 449-456. (a) "An elementary fundamental requirement any proceeding which is accorded finality reasonably calculated, all circumstances, apprise interested parties pendency an present objections." Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 314, 70 652, 657, 94 L.Ed. 865. 1877-1878. (b) light fact significant interest and, indeed, right continued residence homes, it does suffice recite because rem, only necessary serve "upon thing itself." sufficiency must tested reference its ability inform people affect interests. 450-451. (c) Notices posted doors tenants' apartments "not infrequently" removed could seen tenants. Whatever efficacy person's home many cases, clear that, circumstances case, merely apartment satisfy minimum standards 453-454. (d) Neither nor practice servers provides even second attempt at personal service. failure effect first visit hardly suggests tenant has abandoned his mere pro forma might constitutionally adequate. P. 454. (e) Notice mail case would go long way toward providing assurance allowed power invoked person who no defense. 455-456. 649 F.2d 425, 6 cir., affirmed. William L. Hoge, III, Louisville, Ky., appellants. Robert Frederick Smith, Barry Master, Lousiville, appellees. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 actions, may certain tenant's apartment. question presented whether statute, as applied project, fails those initiated 2 * Linnie Lindsey, Barbara Hodgens, Pamela Ray are project. Appellants Sheriff Jefferson County, unnamed Deputy Sheriffs charged responsibility serving actions. 1975, Housing Authority Louisville appellees, repossession pursuant Ky.Rev.Stat. 454.030 (1975), states: 3 "If officer directed find premises mentioned writ, he explain leave copy thereon sixteen (16) age, thereof shall state time meeting court." 4 instance, took form writ apartment.1 have these summonses; learn them, 5 Thus recourse courts, suit United States Western Kentucky, 1983. claimed procedure predicate described 865 (1950), Commonwealth thus failed guaranteed Named defendants several officials particular projects, Greene, County Sheriff, known unknown Sheriffs. On cross-motions judgment, unreported opinion, court noted some earlier, Weber Grand Lodge F. A. M., 169 522 (1909), Sixth Circuit held constructive building, predecessor 454.030, provided constitutional basis upon commence action, ground reasonable presume building dispute give actual contest action. Although recognized "conditions changed since decision . there undisputed testimony notices often other tenants," App. 41-42, nevertheless concluded "that comes into play id., 42. 7 reversed grant favor appellants remanded further proceedings. 425 (1981). Acknowledging contrary result, examined doctrinal decision, rested part distinctions between rem personam drawn cases Pennoyer Neff, 95 714, 24 565 (1878); Huling Kaw Valley Railway Improvement 130 559, 32 1045 (1889); Arndt Griggs, 134 316, 10 557, 33 918 (1890); Ballard Hunter, 204 241, 27 261, 51 461 (1907); Longyear Toolan, 209 414, 28 506, 52 859 (1908), substantially undercut intervening decisions overruling Weber, cited International Shoe Co. Washington, 326 310, 66 154, 90 (1945), Mullane, supra, Shaffer Heitner, 433 186, 97 2569, 53 683 (1977), calling more realistic appraisal adequacy State. Turning contemplated while "a when surer means giving than mailing, [t]hat passed. uncontradicted themselves infrequently persons constitutes effective confirmation conclusion 'is calculated reach easily informed hand,' " F.2d, 428, quoting 319, S.Ct., 659.2 held, therefore, deficient. We probable jurisdiction, 454 938, 473, 246 (1981), now affirm. II 8 "The requisite heard." Grannis Ordean, 234 385, 394, 34 779, 783, 58 1363 (1914). And "right heard little reality worth unless one matter pending can choose himself appear default, acquiesce contest," 657. Personal guarantees legal action; presents ideal circumstance person, traditionally deemed styled personam. McDonald Mabee, 243 90, 92, 37 343, 344, 61 608 (1917). Nevertheless, less rigorous enjoyed substantial acceptance throughout our history; history practical obstacles every we judicial prosecuted situations do carry same certainty inheres But also clearly prescribe minimum: U.S., 657 (emphasis added). It standard evaluate case. B 9 argue ipso facto concede appropriate proceedings, but encompass simple issue therefore require exacting forms customarily counter conceding landlord sought recover past rent, law, claims unusual us possession. Tr. Oral Arg. 19-21. As decline resolve based determination properly characterized 312, 656. See 206, 2580. That say nature bearing assessment reasonableness employed. character reflects extent purports extend power, roughly describe scope potential adverse consequences claiming notice. '[a]ll like rights, really persons.' "3 property: homes.4 deprivation, will itself."5 arriving assessment, look realities us: determining constitutionality established provide "its judged application affairs men ordinarily conducted." North Laramie Land Hoffman, 268 276, 283, 45 491, 494, 69 953 (1925). 11 is, course, assume owner maintain superintendence property, physically disturbing holdings come attention. 658.6 frequent restatement rule impresses watch him, spur attentiveness, consequent reinforcement empirical foundation principle. Upon understanding, turn conclude most secure likely offer sufficient warning possibly affecting 12 presumption alert occupant make particularly well founded where residence. With respect possession residence, seems apt: If continuing maintaining use occupancy, expected premises; longer occupies premises, injury result from having received consequence reduced. Short service, then, would, perhaps instances, constitute acceptable indeed singularly ensuring conveniently personally actually apprised him. 13 whatever number reliance provisions results concerned. Indeed, suffered precisely aware, area lived children intended effect.7 Under conditions, considered "reliable acquainting rights courts." 315, 14 Of existence "feasible customary" alternatives supplements chosen. Ibid. connection, reject appellants' characterization 'posting' used method last resort." Brief 7. To sure, requires family. visit, apparently true "good percentage" cases,8 follows forthwith. servers, makes provision day home. Cf. 317-318, 658. 15 Appeals, mails "efficient inexpensive communication," 659, prudent rely conduct important affairs, 319-320, 659. surely defense despite resolution controversy.9 Particularly subject happens mailing address defendant, ineffectual, relied need so far insist order "dispense substitute least ought required," recognize efficient mechanism available enhance reliability otherwise unreliable procedure, State's exclusive ineffective "reasonably hand." 659.10 III 17 Affirmed. 18 O'CONNOR, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 19 Today, holds Constitution prefers Postal reaches total absence evidence record regarding speed mails. sole Court's scant conflicting handful Kentucky. flimsy basis, confidently overturns work Legislature implication, States. I respectfully dissent. 20 At minimum, Amendment "notice action." (1950). Kentucky's meets standard. answering question, "circumstances" purpose required. 21 quickly immediate leased so, enabling speedily obtain wrongful §§ 383.200, 383.210 (1972). recognized, call special procedures: 22 "There unique factual characteristics landlord-tenant relationship justify statutory treatment inapplicable litigants. definition, landlord; judicially supervised what swift himself, ably income incident ownership refusing pay rent preventing sale rental someone else. Many expenses continue accrue pays not. Speedy adjudication desirable prevent subjecting undeserved economic loss unmerited harassment dispossession lease agreement gives him peaceful undisturbed property." Lindsey Normet, 405 56, 72-73, 92 862, 873, 31 36 23 chosen making process, prompt certain, principal thwarted began. need. directs server (1975). 16. both attempts fail, authorizes server, resort, post 25 recognizes, Kentucky's, though "less rigorous" mandatory nonetheless "have history." Ante, 449. weight historical precedent reinforced collective wisdom legislatures authorizing solely leaving residence.1 itself acknowledges "posting him." 452-453 26 rejects unconstitutional, cite single below, supporting position inadequate Instead, relies deposition few servers. compelling. For example, Mr. S. Carter Bacon, reported Village West development pull down "probably couple times." 80; 79-3477 (CA6), p. 103. neglects mention, however, another Gilbert Brutscher, cast doubt Bacon's stating: "I warned beforehand suspected—he wasn't suspected occasions Writs torn off kids. This told me. Whether not, don't know. think observed six months working occasion anyone tear door." Id., 112-113. 29 mention testified avoid problems children, "always put [the writs] up high. So that." 74. Corroborating testimony, moreover, yet asserted: "we always try paper above where, a, small child can't it." asked "had complaints about ripping off," answered complaint rip off. 30 Plainly, falls short should rushing scrap legislative Court, via superior difference dimension.2 How remains mystery, especially unable, record, risks mailed projects fail loss, misdelivery, lengthy delay, theft. Furthermore, advantages posting, any, obvious. secret, all, unattended mailboxes plunder thieves. Moreover, unlike mails, gotten door. sum, overturn wholly record. doing, indulges legislation challenged here unconstitutional proven otherwise. Regrettably, forget discarded concept "due courts hold laws believe legislature acted unwisely." Ferguson Skrupa, 372 726, 730, 83 1028, 1031, 93 (1963). "Posting" refers placing thumbtack, adhesive tape, means. 74, 77 (deposition servers). usual effecting following terms: usually takes steps notifying tenant. First, goes effort effectuate in-hand Second, named absent door, age. Finally, answers 3. "[r]equiring proves infeasible overly burdensome. cost minimal, state's conceded settlement disputes seriously circumscribed." 428. approval New York counterpart petition sent registered certified within posting. Ibid., citing Velazquez Thompson, 451 202, 205 (CA2 1971). 207, n.22, 2581, n.22 Tyler Registration, 175 Mass. 71, 76, 55 N.E. 812, 814 (Holmes, C. J.), error dism'd, 179 405, 252 (1900). dissent attention "nature purpose," Post, 457. Such designed expeditious entitled retain explains why dispense After sense "summary," issues resolved, interests determined. agree dissent's observation "means certain." ibid. difficult see how, perspective landlord, currently render markedly certain. More significantly, tenant, how insubstantial" either Mary, Cranch 126, 144 (1815). ways tangible arranges direct attack possessory proprietary rights. Hence, real estate name promptly owner's indulge assumption left it, deprive nothing, caretaker duty let being jeopardized." discussion rules focused supplement disturbance itself. reason occupied charge caretaker, sufficiently apparent, disturbance, occupants caretaker. depositions included statements servers: children—we children. take "They present, we, you know, assume—the off, high." "Q. Did ever kids pulling off? "A. Yes. You did? Uh-huh. many? No, too many. there. Where that? West. times happen? Well, probably 80. Were aware problem Oh, plenty trouble. trouble? kids, yeah. Yeah. back tell back. didn't just— places doors? Well West." 82. 76 server). wishes finding "notices removed," questions reliable communication—in own "unattended plunder." 460. misconstrues findings inadequate. adopt. requires, hesitation concluding accompanied preferable alone. "Where names post-office addresses affected hand, reasons disappear resort pendency." 318, Schroeder City York, 371 208, 213, 279, 282, 255 (1962). Ala.Code 6-6-332, 35-9-82 (1975); Colo.Rev.Stat. 13-40-112 (1973); Fla.Stat. 48.183 (1979); Kan.Stat.Ann. 61-1805 (1976); La.Code Civ.Proc.Ann., Art. 4703 (West 1961); Miss.Code Ann. 89-7-33 (1972); Neb.Rev.Stat. 25-508 N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. 510:2, 540:5 (Supp.1979); N.C.Gen.Stat. 42-29 W.Va.Code 56-2-1 (1966), W.Va.Rule Civ.Proc. 4(d)(1) (1982). lipservice principle "[i]t [Kentucky] adopt," ante, 455, n.9, just explaining "would toward" satisfying remarking view, combination "constitutionally preferable" alone, n.9.

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