Document: 454 U.S. 389 102 S.Ct. 713 70 L.Ed.2d 570 Raymond J. DONOVAN, Secretary of Labor, et al.v.RICHLAND COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS. No. 81-255. Jan. 11, 1982. PER CURIAM. 1 Appellee brought this action against officials the United States Department Labor seeking a declaratory judgment that Fair Standards Act does not apply to employees Sidney Group Home, mental health facility operated by appellee. In alternative, appellee sought declaration an application Home would be unconstitutional. The District Court for Montana held "[t]he is unconstitutional as applied plaintiff Association in its operation Home." App. Juris. Statement 26a. federal appealed decision Appeals, which affirmed. Id., at 1a. Government has now filed appeal from Appeals. 2 Pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 1252, appellants could have direct Court.1 This right pursue also served deprive Appeals jurisdiction, however, 1291 provides courts appeals shall jurisdiction all final decisions district . except where review may had Supreme Court." Since lacked case, and opinion must vacated.2 3 addition, dismissed. Appellants' proper course conduct was file Court. At time, such relief foreclosed 2101(a). 4 We decline appellants' request we remand matter entry fresh decree timely might taken. Although complexities litigation involving three-judge made it appropriate relieve certain consequences misapplication somewhat arcane jurisprudence, cases cited Justice POWELL's separate demonstrate, rationale no simple failure case follow clear commands 1252 1291.3 5 Judgment vacated 6 POWELL, with whom BLACKMUN joins, concurring part dissenting part. 7 I concur Court's vacate But simply dismiss Government's appeal. Rather customarily followed this. See Query v. States, 316 486, 62 1122, 86 1616 (1942); see Gonzales Employees Credit Union, 419 90, 95 289, 42 249 (1974); Christian Echoes Ministry, 404 561, 92 663, 30 716 (1972); Board Regents University Texas System New Left Education Project, 541, 652, 697 Mitchell Donovan, 398 427, 90 1763, 26 378 (1970); Moody Flowers, 387 97, 87 1544, 18 643 (1967). Title designed expedite Court, defeat it. Because been unnecessarily delayed, reasons "a recognition permit needless delay securing holding statute unconstitutional." Ante, 391, n. 3. just because already delayed too long require should compound error leaving posture defeating review. 8 An Congress cannot believe intended serve function blocking these circumstances. disposition defeats fundamental purpose dissent. "Any party interlocutory or judgment, order any court civil action, suit, proceeding agencies, officer employee thereof, employee, party." 1252. actually entered two case. reviewed, affirmed Home. After their notice case—and indeed after jurisdictional statement Court—the sua sponte recalled earlier new reversing Richland County Assn. Marshall, 660 F.2d 388 (1981). filing clearly divested otherwise decide merits On basis McLucas DeChamplain, 421 21, 1365, 43 699 (1975), contend defect under reliance on McLucas, misplaced. consider taken court, even though convened. noted "to afford immediate actions officers are parties thus will bound unconstitutionality." U.S., 31, S.Ct., 1371. To effectuate statutory purpose, available; necessary further proceedings court. contrast, do instant over controversy. than obtained intermediate power so doing, they failed conferred fact resurrect created lapsed action. antithesis ; function.

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