Legal Document

427 U.S. 297 96 Supreme Court Reporter 2513 49 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 511 CITY OF NEW ORLEANS et al., Appellants,v.Nancy DUKES, dba Louisiana Concessions. Number 74-775. June 25, 1976. [Syllabus from pages 297-298 intentionally left blank] Joel Pacific KF135 P2 Loeffelholz, New Orleans, La., argued the cause for appellants. With him on brief was Blake G. Arata, La. Joseph Neves Marcal III, and filed a appellee. PER CURIAM. 1 The question presented by this case is whether provision of Orleans ordinance, as amended in 1972, that excepts ordinance's prohibition against vendors' selling foodstuffs pushcarts Vieux Carre, or French Quarter, "vendors who have continuously operated same business within Carre . eight more years prior to January 1, 1972 " denied appellee vendor equal protection laws violation Fourteenth Amendment.1 2 Appellee operates vending throughout but had carried only two when ordinance barred her continuing operations there.2 She previously an action District Eastern attacking validity former version ordinance,3 amendeder complaint challenge application "grandfather clause" eight-years-or-more denial protection. prayed injunction declaratory judgment. On cross-motions summary judgment, Court, without opinion, granted appellant city's motion. Appeals Fifth Circuit reversed. 501 Federal Reporter, 2nd 706 (1974). We postponed Court's jurisdiction hearing merits, 421 908, 95 1556, 43 773 (1975). hold we appellant's appeal, merits reverse judgment Appeals. 3 city heart considerable tourist industry integral component economy.4 sector plays special role life, pursuant State Constitution, chapter 8 Article V Home Rule Charter grants City Council power enact ordinances designed preserve its distinctive charm, character, economic vitality. 4 Chapter 46 Code sets up comprehensive scheme permits conduct various businesses city. In restrict many these points outside Carre. However, even those occupations including all pushcart food vendors which were be banned during seasons other than Mardi Gras, made grandfather provision" exception. Two one engaged sale hot dogs ice cream 20 therefore qualified under continued operate there. recognized "City Council's legitimate authority generally regulate conducted public streets sidewalks order appearance custom valued Quarter's residents attractive tourists," F.2d, at 709, nevertheless found justification "grandfather" exception "insufficient support discrimination imposed" thus deprived Id., 711. Stating expressly decision Morey versus Doud, 354 457, 77 1344, 1485 (1957), "our chief guide resolving case," 710, focused "exclusionary character" concomitant "creation protected monopoly favored class member." 712-713. "pivotal defect" statutory perceived fact members need not "continue manner consistent with traditions Quarter would any operator," 711, there no reason believe length operation "instills (favored) licensed (or their likely transient operators) kind appreciation conservation tradition" become remain tradition. 712. Because factors demonstrated "insubstantiality relation between nature governmental interest conserving traditional assets Carre," 713, declared violative applied remanded determination severability remainder ordinance. 5 * hear appeal detain us briefly. Title 28 KF62 § 1254(2) review decisions courts appeals 6 "(b)y party relying state statute held court invalid repugnant treaties ." 7 A municipal "State statute" purposes provision. See Doran Salem Inn, Inc., 422 922, 927 n. 2, 2561, 2566, 45 648 (1975); Gas company Ideal Cement Co., 369 134, 82 676, 623 (1962). also, E. g., Dusch Davis, 387 112, 87 1554, 18 656 (1967); Chicago Atchison, T. & S. KF105 F3 R. 357 77, 78 1063, 1174 (1958); Detroit Murray Corp., 355 489, 458, 441 (1958). it Appeals' "final" doctrine enunciated Slaker O'Connor, 278 188, 158, 73 L.Ed. 258 (1929) (involving predecessor 1254(2)), South Carolina Electric Flemming, 351 901, 76 692, 100 1439 (1956) (Per curiam ), since Appeals, although finding unconstitutional applied, provision." There may some vitality "finality" requirement context 1254(2), unlike such jurisdictional statutes §§ 1257 1291 has itself. See, e. supra, U.S., 927, S.Ct., 2566; 82-83, 1066. But question, test met facts case. 9 unconstitutionality appellee, been definitely finally adjudicated state-law remains decided remand will totally invalidated struck down. federal, much less constitutional, yet resolved below, policy underlying ensuring are erroneously way served further delay adjudicating constitutional issue presented. Moreover, outcome moot difficult case, avoiding needless furthered staying our hand. Furthermore, extent might premised policies piecemeal rendering advisory opinions, neither difficulty eventuate case; if uphold law, ruling subject Court. hand, rejecting obviate proceedings bring halt disruption internal affairs. Cf. generally, Cox Broadcasting Corporation Cohn, 420 469, 476-478, 480, 485-486, 1029, 1036-37, 1038, 1041, 328 accordingly properly before 1254(2). turn merits. II 10 record makes abundantly clear provision," solely regulation aimed enhancing vital tourist-oriented charm economy Orleans. 11 When local challenged violating Equal Protection Clause, consistently defers legislative determinations desirability particular discriminations. Lehnhausen Lake Shore Auto Parts 410 356, 93 1001, 35 (1973). Unless classification trammels fundamental personal rights drawn upon inherently suspect distinctions race, religion, alienage, presume constitutionality discriminations require rationally related interest. accorded wide latitude economies police powers, rational substantially mathematical exactitude. Legislatures implement program step step, Katzenbach Morgan, 384 641, 86 1717, 16 828 (1966), areas, adopting regulations partially ameliorate evil deferring complete elimination future regulations. Williamson Lee Optical 348 483, 488-489, 75 461, 464-65, 99 563 (1955). short, judiciary sit superlegislature judge wisdom areas affect nor proceed along lines, see, Day-Brite Lighting, Incorporated Missouri, 342 421, 423, 72 405, 407, 469 (1952); sphere, invidious discrimination, wholly arbitrary act, cannot stand Amendmt. Ferguson Skrupa, 372 726, 732, 83 1028, 1032, (1963).5 12 however, failed rationality test. disagree. furthers purpose identified objective enacting provision, is, means "to tourists." 709. legitimacy obvious. plainly could making reasoned street peddlers hawkers tend interfere beauty historic area disturb tourists disrupt enjoyment beauty, industry, deleterious effect They determined ensure area, should curtailed banned. 13 It suggested allowing irrational method achieving purpose. rather proceeding immediate absolute abolition vendors, choose initially eliminate recent vintage. This gradual approach problem constitutionally impermissible. governing principle stated 657, 1727: 14 "(W)e guided familiar principles 'statute Constitution because gone farther did,' Roschen Ward, 279 337, 339, 336, 722, legislature 'strike evils time,' Semler Dental Examiners, 294 608, 610, 55 570, 571, 79 1086, 'reform take time, addressing itself phase seems most acute mind,' 465, 563." 15 reasonably decide newer built substantial reliance interests both whom over themselves part character distinguishes say judgments so lack they constitute impermissible Nevertheless, "chief guide," though exemption basis extant amended, still "the hypothesis present year veteran dog market continue operator foundation." Actually, statute's potential irrationality dissenters correctly pointed out, see 474-475, 1354-55 (Frankfurter, J., joined Harlan, dissenting), needlessly intrusive judicial infringement State's concluded analysis employed opinion longer followed. last half century invalidate grounds, now satisfied erroneous. recognized, essentially indistinguishable far departs proper cases exclusively be, overruled. 17 reversed, opinion. ordered. 19 Mr. Justice MARSHALL concurs STEVENS took consideration pertinent 46, 1.1 August 31, provides: "Vendors obtain valid permit Carre." Most appellee's sales, particularly summer months, Jurisdiction invoked 1331, 1343(3), (4), 2201-2202. alleged 42 1983, 1985. App. 31-63 (Excerpts Comprehensive Study Plan Program Under Demonstration Grant Department Housing Urban Development). analogous situation. There, Kansas excepted lawyers misdemeanor person engage debt adjusting. protection, stating, 1032: "Nor nonlawyers. Statutes create classifications do deny protection; 'invidious discrimination' offends Constitution. If wants limit adjusting lawyers, Clause does forbid it" (footnote omitted). emphasize again principles, course, govern apposite. Very different provisions Commerce implicated, Supremacy inconsistent relevant federal treaties.

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