Document: 425 U.S. 73 96 S.Ct. 1208 47 L.Ed.2d 587 Hugh L. CAREY, Governor of the State New York, et al., Appellants,v.Bert Randolph SUGAR and Wrestling Revue, Inc. CURTIS CIRCULATION COMPANY Continental Casualty Company, Appellants, v. Bert Nos. 74-858, 74-859. March 24, 1976. PER CURIAM. 1 This is an appeal from judgment a three-judge federal court declaring unconstitutional enjoining enforcement certain statutes York which provide for prejudgment attachment defendant's assets. On April 13, 1973, appellant Curtis Circulation Co. (Curtis) filed suit against appellees Sugar (Wrestling), Champion Sports Publications, (Champion), in state court. The complaint alleged that had advanced over $100,000 $28,588.08 remained unpaid to under contract with pursuant agreed permit market identified sports magazines. It further Sugar, who owned operated Champion, caused title magazines be transferred Wrestling, another company by transfer National Publishing Corp. (National), corporation not controlled sale public. consequence was been stripped its assets out sales recoup advance sold instead National. complaint, containing several counts alleging fraud on part each defendant, sought Curtis' advances unrepaid. 2 At same time, attach debt owed it yet paid Wrestling. Civil Practice Laws Rules (CPLR) § 6201 (Supp. 1975-1976)1 provides various grounds. order may granted favor plaintiff judge, upon Ex parte motion at any time before judgment, 6211; must supported "by affidavit such other written evidence as submitted, (showing) there cause action one or more grounds . exist amount demanded defendant above all counterclaims known plaintiff." 6212(a). In addition, will ordered judge give undertaking fixed legal costs damages resulting if prevails underlying lawsuit. 6212(b). 3 Pursuant these procedures, detailed justifying recovery $28,588.08, seeking CPLR §§ 6201(4), (5), (8) 1975-1976). 4 Supreme Court Justice Fine conditioned providing $10,000 undertaking, $8,570 purpose holding defendants harmless should they prevail suit. provided issued. sheriff then levied money total $24,324.17 May April, June, July 1974. 5 Under CPLR, discharge giving equal value property attached, 6222, successfully moving vacate 6223. That section provides: 6 "Prior application satisfaction garnishee person having interest move, notice party sheriff, vacating modifying attachment. Upon motion, shall reasonable opportunity correct defect. If, after has appeared action, determines unnecessary security plaintiff, Such itself constitute appearance action." 7 Appellees neither gave nor moved Instead waited nine months until January 1974, instant 42 U.S.C. 1983 United States District Southern naming Judge Fine, Attorney General, plaintiffs action. Alleging temporary loss, pending decision merits them injuring irreparably, declaration provisions were unconstitutional, their enforcement, directing National's vacated. asked convened 28 2281 2284. 8 June 17, single-judge rejected appellants' claim abstain deciding constitutional issue, convened. November 6, requested relief "until unless meaningful (s) 6223 (c)ourts York." stayed, however, this Court. 9 As we understand it, found because concluded inadequate, Court's cases, justify deprivation involved. view, hearing available inadequate principally would only concerned question whether "attachment plaintiff," 6223, require litigate likelihood ultimately merits.2 10 below "forecast," see Railroad Comm'n Pullman Co., 312 496, 499, 61 643, 644, 85 L.Ed. 971, 974 (1941), even light recent cases Court, see, E. g., North Georgia Finishing, Di-Chem, Inc., 419 601, 95 719, 751 (1975); Mitchell W. T. Grant 416 600, 94 1895, 40 406 (1974); Fuentes Shevin, 407 67, 92 1983, 32 556 (1972), courts construe preclude adequate preliminary inquiry into plaintiff's claim. Cf. Boehning Indiana Employees Assn., 423 7-8, , 168, 46 148 (1975). hand, recognized, could conclude otherwise. Appeals already held vacated "clearly" appears "that fail" merits. Wulfsohn Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, 234 N.Y. 372, 377, 138 N.E. 26 (1923). See also Maitrejean Levon Properties, 45 A.D.2d 1020, 358 N.Y.S.2d 203 Richman Richman, 41 993, 344 52 (1973); Martin Enterprises, M. S. Kaplan 883, 160 (1974). precise nature made rubric unclear, but consistent standard no means automatically precluded. Indeed, two trial have expressly held, subsequent below, where fact issues are raised, attachment, respect claim, those issues. Regnell Page, 82 Misc.2d 506, 369 936 Auction Belt, 81 1032, 368 98 11 circumstances, unwise address constitutionality statutes, issue rendered matter law. City Meridian Bell Tel. & 639, 640, 79 455, 456, 562, 563 (1959); Reetz Bozanich, 397 82, 90 788, 25 68 (1970); Harman Forssenius, 380 528, 1177, 14 50 (1965); Fornaris Ridge Tool 400 41, 91 156, 27 174 supra. declared statute continued utilization undoubtedly importance State. If construes so remove problems, friction avoided. U.S., 500-501, 645-646, 974-975. Finally, injunctive officials particularly inappropriate contended continue contend here law does 12 Accordingly, remand direct parties obtain construction courts. 13 So ordered. Vacated remanded directions. "An except matrimonial entitled, whole part, alternative, defendants, when: "4. intent defraud his creditors, assigned, disposed secreted property, removed about do acts; "5. contract, express implied, guilty contracting incurring liability; "8. recover conversion personal deceit." burden proof noted unlike (1974), special attached.

Category: 8