Legal Document

456 U.S. 91 102 Supreme Court Reporter 1549 71 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 770 Lois Mae MILLS, Appellant,v.Dan HABLUETZEL. Number 80-6298. Argued Jan. 12, 1982. Decided April 5, Syllabus A Texas statute (§ 13.01) provides that a paternity suit to identify the natural father of an illegitimate child for purposes obtaining support must be brought before is one year old, or barred. Appellant mother and Department Human Resources in court on behalf establish appellee was his father. The trial dismissed under § 13.01 because seven months old when filed. Civil Appeals affirmed, holding one-year limitation not tolled during minority did violate Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Held: period establishing denies children equal protection law. Pp. 97-101. (a) State grants opportunity legitimate obtain paternal also grant children, Gomez versus Perez, 409 535, 93 872, 35 56, this latter more than illusory, although it need coterminous with procedures accorded children. 97-98. (b) granted by sufficient duration present reasonable those interest such assert claims their behalf. And time substantially related State's avoiding litigation stale fraudulent claims. Section fails meet either these requirements thus protection. 98-101. Reversed remanded. Michael S. Mankins, Corpus Christi, Tex., appellant. Lola L. Bonner, Rockport, appellee. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 This has held once posits judicially enforceable right from fathers, Amendment prohibits denying same 56 (1973). In case we are required determine extent which recognized may circumscribed prosecution Appeals, Thirteenth Judicial District, upheld against federal constitutional challenges suits fathers We noted probable jurisdiction. 451 936, 101 2014, 68 322. begin reviewing history challenged 2 * Like all States, imposes upon parents primary responsibility See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. (Code) §§ 4.02, 12.04(3) (1975 Supp.1982). That duty extends beyond dissolution marriage, Code 14.05, regardless whether parent custody child, Hooten Hooten, 15 South Western Reporter, 2nd 141 (Tex.Civ.App.1929), enforced child's civil proceedings. 14.05(a). Prior our decision Gomez, no part Home Holy Infancy Kaska, 397 208 (Tex.1965); Lane Phillips, 69 Tex. 240, 6 Southwestern KF135 S79 610 (1887); Bjorgo Bjorgo, 391 528 (Tex.Civ.App.1965). could even illegitimacy as defense criminal nonsupport. Curtin State, 155 Tex.Cr.R. 625, 238 187 (1950). 3 Reviewing law "a invidiously discriminate them substantial benefits generally." U.S., at 538, S.Ct., 875. "[O]nce needed fathers," stated, "there constitutionally justification essential simply its married mother." Ibid. Although "the lurking problems respect proof . lightly brushed aside," concluded they justify "an impenetrable barrier works shield otherwise invidious discrimination." Accordingly, Texas' denial rights 4 response Legislature considered Legislation would have provided cause action imposed owed legislature enact legislation, however, choosing instead procedure voluntarily thereby take themselves obligation supporting Dept. Hernandez, 595 189, 191 (Tex.Civ.App.1980). No provision made seek who fail them. 5 Not surprisingly, legislation found courts inadequate Gomez. panel that, "[w]hen later judicial relief support, necessarily child." re R____ V____ M____, 530 921, 922-923 (Tex.Civ.App.1975). Only after recognition supra, 191. biological now governed Chapter 13 Title et seq. recognizes establishment necessary first step fathers. Miller, 605 332, 334 (Tex.Civ.App.1980); Delley, 581 519, 522 (Tex.Civ.App.1979). establishes followed determinations conjunction other provisions 12.04, 14.05. Once been determined, authorizes order defendant "to make periodic payments lump-sum payment, both, until he 18 years age," 13.42(b). 7 paternity, less generous. It significantly truncated statutory issue case, 13.01: 8 "A parent-child relationship between man barred." 9 views substantive procedural right. 192-193. Moreover, applied literally mean failure bring within life "results [their] being forever barred sue counterparts do share." 334. Thus, created window previously "impenetrable barrier," through support.1 II 10 born out wedlock early 1977. October 1978, she Resources, appellant had assigned rights,2 Appellee answered asserting agreed suit. 11 dismissal affirmed appeal discretionary review denied finding reversible error.3 relying 189 (1930), Hernandez turn relied analysis Chapman, 570 46 (Tex.Civ.App.1978), where another division state precluding claims" rationally bar therefore deny Id., 49. 12 argues burden shared justified addition, deprives without due process Because agree appellant's argument, consider her second. III Our Specifically, If principles underlie any meaning, clear illusory. sufficiently long permit normally despite difficult personal, family, financial circumstances often surround birth outside wedlock. hardly satisfy demands remove barrier" only replace so few utilize effectively. 14 fact provide bona fide does mean, adopt Paternal contain element contain: paternity. Such sketchy strongly contested, frequently turning conflicting testimony two witnesses. Indeed, proving repeatedly Parham Hughes, 441 347, 357, 361, 99 1742, 1748, 1750, 60 269 (1979); Lalli Lalli, 439 259, 269, 518, 525, 58 503 (1978); Trimble Gordon, 430 762, 772, 97 1459, 1466, 52 31 (1977); 875.4 Therefore, preventing claims, impose greater restrictions former latter. will survive scrutiny interest. 265, 523; 767, 1463; Mathews Lucas, 427 495, 510, 96 2755, 2764, 49 651 (1976).5 periods real threat loss diminution evidence, increased vulnerability 16 therefore, focuses requirements. First, Second, placed Applying Texas, find 17 By granting failed adequate support. Paternity "may person child," 11.03, but mother. requires little experience appreciate obstacles confront unwed mothers year. Financial difficulties caused childbirth expenses birth-related income, continuing affection father, desire avoid disapproval family community, emotional strain confusion attend encumber mother's filing birth. Even if seeks public assistance assigns claim improbable elapse claim. Several pass finds assistance, takes steps it, willing join father.6 sense inadequacy accentuated realization file illegitimates support," S.W.2d, 334, while age 18.7 unrealistically short "are complete Neither restricts effectively extinguish can conceive evidence invariably lost year, nor evident passage appreciably increase likelihood claims.8 19 conclude law.9 judgment reversed, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 20 Reversed. 21 O'CONNOR, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN, BLACKMUN join, POWELL joins Part I, concurring. 22 Today, holds prescribing violates & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Court's result, write separately fear misinterpreted approving 4-year used Texas. (Supp.1982). 23 As notes, (1973), "less generous." Ante, 94. suits, enacted following severely restricted distinguishes asserted neither weighty uphold 24 set forth number "state interests" limitation, accepts permissible—the today statutes claims." 99. elaborates: 25 "It child-birth birth." 100. 26 Certainly, demonstrate support; moreover, there nothing indicate However, compel conclusion distinction unconstitutional. To with, strength undercut countervailing ensuring genuine satisfied. stems see "justice done," reduce individuals forced enter welfare rolls.1 making system. surely strong interest, peculiar itself, denied.2 27 significant result causes plaintiff.3 Of arise actions generally, unique singled special treatment. When observation coupled Legislature's efforts prove fair question designed advance permissible interests. 28 Finally, practical easily exist several child. For example, if, mother, years, understandably unlikely unwilling4 jeopardize protect some indeterminate future date. Alternatively, lived alone relatives situation leaves obviously unable risk himself seems likely throughout life. 29 factors deciding cannot withstand challenge indicates longer short, about compels case. read prejudging constitutionality it. 30 POWELL, concurring judgment. O'CONNOR's opinion, am concerned, reasons persuasively stated limitation. observes, "that plaintiff." 104. Since Appeals' amended four 1981 Tex.Gen.Laws, ch. 674, 2, amendment renders moot, least remand retroactive. disagree. moot 13.01, below, continues stand assertion At September 1, 1981, effective date amendment, old. retroactively courts. well established become vested rely defense, divest thereafter lifting accrued favor defendant. Any effect retroactive violative Article sec. Constitution Texas." Penry Wm. Barr, Inc., 415 F.Supp. 126, 128 (ED Tex.1976) (citations omitted). Mellinger City Houston, 37, 249 (Tex.1887); Brantley Phoenix Insurance Co., 536 72, 74 (Tex.Civ.App.1976); Southern Pacific Transportation company 380 123, 127 (Tex.Civ.App.1964). appellee, sought Aid Families Dependent Children program. conditions eligibility assign support" 42 KF62 602(a)(26)(A), cooperate [the] aid [was] claimed." 602(a)(26)(B)(i). decisions officially reported. contends limitations never "[t]he interests state, alleged prevent incorrect protected recent blood genetic testing." Brief 29. tests highly probative Little Streater, 452 6-8, 2202, 2205-06, 627 (1981), disagree contention existence negates Traditional They nonpaternity, excluding class possible high percentage general male population. Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Krause, Illegitimacy: Law Social Policy 123-136 (1971). Thus certain excluded member limited More developments field testing "prove nonpaternity" predict degree probability. Terasaki, Resolution HLA Testing 1000 Cases Excluded ABO Testing, J.Fam.L. 543 (1978). proper evidentiary weight given techniques still matter academic dispute. See, e.g., Jaffee, Comment Use Test Results Other Statistical Evidence: Response 457 (1979). Whatever rule particular choose follow, test exclude male, conventional forms proof—evidence lack access own testimony, others—to test, form proof, clearly litigating relatively fresh. particularly procedures. putative submit tests. 13.02. Refusal citation contempt, 13.02(b), introduced jury biologically 13.06(d). results pretrial conference purpose dismissing complaint 13.04, 13.05(a). cases actually go refused results, types paramount importance. Gordon involved inherit Lucas receive social security benefits. There reason think factual differences call variation principle laid down. expressly Perez reaching result. 507, 2763. requirement New York declared proceeding sometime death. 263, 522. dealt entitlement government benefits, intestate distribution father's property, orders adjudications means sought. n. supra. Family lasts includes applicable "[e]very prescribed," Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., 5529 (Vernon 1982), running minority. 5535. "interest continuation institutions marriage" avoidance "discourage institution encourage persons wedlock." 21. Important might be, "imposing disabilities contrary basic concept system burdens should bear individual wrongdoing." Weber Aetna Casualty Surety 406 164, 175, 92 1400, 1407, 768 (1972). 769-770, 1464-65; 505, 2762. control like restriction "Statutes necessity convenience rather logic. pragmatic devices spare citizen put memories faded, witnesses died disappeared, lost." Chase Securities Corporation Donaldson, 325 304, 314, 65 1137, 1142, 89 L.Ed. 1628 (1945). definition arbitrary," ibid., best left legislative determination control. Normally, free violating Constitution. unusual emasculating enactment plaintiff's minority, wrote: "We Washington '[t]he compelling assuring falls both taxpayers state.' Wood, Wash.2d 97, 569 1148, 1151 (1977)." concern alleviated scientific dramatically reducing possibility falsely accused discussed report American Bar Association Medical indicating series over 90% probability negating erroneously men. Miale, Jennings, Rettberg, Sell, Joint AMA-ABA Guidelines: Present Status Serologic Problems Disputed Parentage, L.Q. 247, 258 (1976). "effectiveness [tests] attests value cases." 8, 2206. Judge Most 5535 provides: "If entitled mentioned subdivision title accrues minor, twenty-one age, imprisoned unsound mind, disability shall deemed portion commencement removal allowed others title." Simpson Abilene, 388 760 (Tex.Civ.App.1965) (holding 2-year bringing negligence minority). 192 (Tex.Civ.App.1980), (Supp.1982) account ground tolling "would constitute disingenuous way unconstitutional." according court, incorporating into creating right, "limitation qualifies becomes law." 193. law, 1982) apply 13.01. unwillingness stem or, points out, having community disapproval, continue born. problem exacerbated happens, herself minor. underscores congruent, illustrates unreasonableness

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