Legal Document

343 U.S. 99 72 Supreme Court Reporter 502 96 L.Ed. 775 BUCK et al.v.PEOPLE OF STATE CALIFORNIA. Number 165. Argued Nov. 28, 29, 1951. Decided March 10, 1952. Rehearing Denied April 21, See 932, 756. Mr. Manuel Ruiz, Jr., Los Angeles, Cal., for appellants. Duane Judge Carnes, San Diego, appellee. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellants, American citizens, are taxicab drivers. They were arrested by Sheriff Diego County, California, and charged with driving taxicabs in unincorporated area County without a permit from as required § 9 Ordinance 464, pertinent provisions which set forth margin.* The facts stipulated taking any evidence. From stipulation we learn that appellants had picked up passengers across line Mexico transporting them to points not when they arrested. made oral requests permits Sheriff, rather than appication writing on forms provided therefor, ordinance. When these denied, continued transport passengers, although upon advice counsel did pick or discharge area. We take their action mean claimed because engaged foreign commerce, either right complying other ordinance operate withot permit. Appellants contend no burden commerce regulation. 2 found guilty violating Justice's National Township, County. Superior Appellate Department, affirmed conviction allowed an appeal this 101 Cal.App.2d Supp. 912, 226 Pacific Reporter, 2nd Series 87. noted probable jurisdiction under 28 United States Code KF62 1257(2), Annotated KF65 U5 1257(2). 3 Motor Carrier Act 1935 gave broad power regulation over motor vehicles Interstate Commerce Commission; but Congress partially excluded such following words: 'Nothing part, except section 304 relative qualifications maximum hours service employees safety operation standards equipment shall be construed include * (2) taxicabs, performing bona fide service, having capacity more six operated regular route between fixed termini *.' 49 Statutes-at-Large 545, 303(b), 303(b). 4 Commission, acting authorization Congress, has promulgated regulations establishing minimum drivers carriers, including interstate Federal Regulations 192.2. This does prevent state subdivision thereof, exercise its police power, providing additional specifications qualifications, inconsistent conflict Commission. Especially is true since Commission only minimum. 5 As may consistently federal keeping latter's purpose, stand together. Kelly versus State Washington, 302 1, 58 87, 92, 82 3; Missouri, K. & T.R. company Harris, 234 412, 419, 34 790, 793, 1377; Savage Jones, 225 501, 539, 32 715, 728, 56 1182; Reid People Colorado, 187 137, 148, 23 96, 47 108. 6 California legitimate interest kind character persons who engage business State. authority issue been granted Board Supervisors each county. In re Martinez, 22 Cal.2d 259, 262, 138 10. Such delegation county approved Sprout City South Bend, 277 163, 171, 172, 48 502, 504, 505, 833. 7 local business. For reason, left field largely states. Operation lines international bounaries so closely related situation all operating community indirectly affects those long there attempt discriminatorily regulate directly charge privilege doing valid. 'essentially local,' absence regulation, public interest. Panhandle Pipe Line Michigan Pub. Serv. Comm., 341 329, 333, 71 777, 779, 95 993. Even if at time arrest intend intrastate was commerce. Under free both requires written application permit, small fee, compliance certain relating safety. Our prior cases would justify us holding unreasonable here. Aero Transit Georgia 295 285, 55 709, 79 1439; Hicklin Coney, 290 169, 54 142, 78 247; cf. Railway Express Agency New York, 336 106, 111, 69 463, 466, 93 533. 8 Thus far have dealt ordinance, exacts $1 fee driver's That court reviewing passed upon. tried convicted for. But it suggested denied violated getting operator's license paying $50 therefor. also reason applications knowledge geography traffic regulations, bad moral crime involving turpitude, adequate grounds. event, pass question. Chief Hughes, speaking Lynch York ex rel. Pierson, 293 52, 54—55, 16, 17, 191, said: '(I)f appear two grounds judgment based, ground independent question sufficient itself sustain it, will jurisdiction.' (Citing numerous cases.) should reaching constitutional questions cast doubt legislation before validity requirement now lower court. affirmed. 10 Affirmed. 11 REED whom DOUGLAS, JACKSON BURTON join, dissenting. 12 citizens prosecuted 958 (New Series), amending 464 amended 609 Series). complaint specified wilfully first obtained authorizing do so. 13 terms 9, every driver hereinafter called simply obtain Sheriff.1 After issued, identification card. deny he determines applicant (1) character; failed comply ordinance; (3) offense turpitude. Section provides violation misdemeanor, punishable fine $500, imprisonment months, both. 14 fined $250. appealed where judgments court, allowing Court, confirms our understanding further review available courts.2 Accordingly, jurisdiction. 15 Of multiple errors assigned, one need considered, disposes case: courts erred applied complaint, exceed limits raised trial motion judgment, treated properly courts. Clearly rejected, matter law, appellee's contention presented exhaust administrative judicial remedies allegedly denial permits, saying: '* decide whether valid tested clause *.'3 are, course, bound determination law. It therefore unnecessary consider effective method test constitutionality whether—if available—the failure preclude defense unconstitutionality criminal prosecution. 16 case facts. disputed, therefore, ordinance.4 These record show reasons denials. stated: 'Each defendants (permit) question.' No sufficiency application, makes point irregularity applying. Thereafter, appellants, counsel, nonetheless territory transportation, after being case. 17 discloses neither nor discharged Their operations consisted through Mexico. So shows, solely clear refusing attempting exclude unless meet established exclusion can reconciled iwith 18 Generally, well settled lodged Government. U.S.Const., Article I, 8. states powerless reasonable measures protect interests.5 example, conflicting congressional legislation,6 assume might require loads weight that, could prohibit County.7 19 burden, challengers establish unconstitutionality. met prima facie payment fifty dollars ($50) license, note infra, plus commerce; shows relied unconstitutional burden.8 Thereupon government body, seeking regulate, must make affirmatively some way directed toward incident subject control. Cf. Transit, Incorporated Lindsey, 283 183, 186, 51 380, 381, 75 953; Ingels Morf, 300 290, 294, 57 439, 441, 81 653; Clark Paul Gray, Inc., 306 583, 599, 59 744, 753, 83 1001. A taxing municipality show, tax intended compensate facilities state. Mayflower Commissioners, 332 495, 68 167, 92 99; Capitol Greyhound Lines Brice, 339 542, 70 806, 94 1053; see Elgin Lines, 192 Md. 303, 310, 318, 64 Atlantic 284, 288, 291—292. 'not remotely imply authorities tax. unlimited, mere imposition tax.' Mullaney Anderson, 342 415, 418, 428. 20 While lack incumbent (or, case, County) trial. not, practical explain why permits. alternative requiring explanation compel applicants prove requirements. Thus, assuming remainder valid, compelled believes good character, never view fact officers know can, placing record, narrow issues manageable proportions give fair opportunity present objections, going forward evidence rest 21 offered action. basis conclusion us. Hooven Allison Evatt, 324 652, 658, 65 870, 873, 89 1252. cannot determine, formed low appellants' character,9 dissatisfied license. Without explanation, impossible justified excluding engaging Smith Cahoon, 553, 565, 582, 1264. comparable situations felt greater particularity adjudication. Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 575, 67 1409, 1423, 91 1666. precise limited constitutionally reasons. limit Sheriff's decisions. here contemplates person sure, refused likely his refusal based previously acquired ordinance.10 imposes annual flat (plus taxicab) There suggestion levied compensation use roads defray expense regulating traffic. imposed 833; Spector Service, O'Connor, 340 602, 508, 573. Crutcher Kentucky, 141 47, 57, 851, 853, 35 649; International Textbook Pigg, 217 91, 30 481, 678; 99. Nor enforce denying explanation. purports impose possible other, (not appellants) true. Since prohibiting within reversed cause remanded deemed desirable opinion. 'Applicants file therefor sheriff form furnished which, completed, contain full personal information concerning applicant. 'Upon obtaining herein holder entitled card design, bearing number prescribe, $1.00 annually, paid collector due 1st day June year. carried permittee during transferable. examined Vehicle Code, county, result examination unsatisfactory issued revoke same determine lawful pursuant thereto turpitude.' 'Section 9. (Amended Ord. Series) adopted 5—12—47; again 4—10 50, read follows:) unlawful drive actual physical control Diego. iis *' Calif.Penal 1466; Calif.Const. VI, 4; McKamy, 168 Rptr. (West’s) 531, 143 KF135 P2 752; Reed, 39, 240. Opinion Department. 914, 89. complaining exaction assume, deciding, card, theory reasonably calculated reimburse costs administering regulations. Union Brokerage Jensen, 322 202, 211—212, 967, 973, 88 1227: 'In applicable non-discriminatory 'for purpose insuring convenience; larger amount demanded.' (City of) 833.' Because attacked fall necessary what, any, effect existing (1946 ed.) 303(b)(2), 303(b)(2). (1949 Carolina Highway Department Barnwell Bros., 303 177, 510, 734. Morf Bingaman, 298 407, 756, 80 1245; Central Mealey, 334 653, 1260, 1633. reads part: 'The advance contentions: dollar cost enforcing Ordinance, and, evidence, reasonable.' objection pressed throughout refers proper showing appraise significance comment. 4. 4—10—50, 964 5—22—50 Within days date operator apply procure Tax Collector pay $50.00 per year taxicab), Licenses subsequent September, December, quarterly reduction $12.50 quarter.

Classification Label: 7