Legal Document

477 U.S. 619 106 S.Ct. 2718 91 L.Ed.2d 512 OHIO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION et al., Appellantsv.DAYTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, INC., al. No. 85-488. Argued March 26, 1986. Decided June 27, Syllabus Appellee Dayton Christian Schools, Inc. (Dayton), a private nonprofit corporation that provides elementary and secondary education, requires its teachers subscribe to particular set of religious beliefs, including belief in the internal resolution disputes through "Biblical chain command." As contractual condition employment, must agree present any grievance their immediate supervisor acquiesce final authority Dayton's board directors, rather than pursue remedy civil court. After pregnant teacher was told her employment contract would not be renewed because doctrine mothers should stay home with preschool age children, she contacted an attorney, who threatened litigation under state federal sex discrimination laws if it did rehire for coming school year. then rescinded nonrenewal decision, but terminated violation dispute doctrine. The filed charge appellant Ohio Civil Rights Commission, alleging statutes original decision constituted unlawful termination unlawfully penalized asserting rights. Ultimately, Commission initiated administrative proceedings against Dayton, which answered complaint by First Amendment prevented from exercising jurisdiction over since actions had been taken pursuant sincerely held beliefs. While were pending, others (also appellees here) this action Federal District Court, seeking injunction on ground investigation hiring process or imposition sanctions decisions violate Religion Clauses Amendment. Without addressing Commission's argument court abstain jurisdiction, Court refused issue injunction, holding, inter alia, proposed Fourteenth Amendments. Appeals reversed, holding exercise both Free Exercise Clause Establishment Held: 1. This has appellate case 28 U.S.C. § 1254(2), authorizes review appeals' statute unconstitutional as applied facts case. Here, expressly statutory provisions relied teacher, authorize proceedings, repugnant Clauses. P. 625. 2. have abstained adjudicating Younger v. Harris, 401 37, 746, 27 669, progeny. Younger, enjoin pending criminal proceeding except when necessary prevent great irreparable injury, based concerns comity federalism. Such are equally applicable other types judicial nature, important interests vindicated, so long course those plaintiff will full fair opportunity litigate his constitutional claim. elimination prohibited is sufficiently interest bring within ambit doctrine, there no reason doubt receive adequate raise claims. Even assuming law such may consider constitutionality operates, sufficient claims raised state-court proceedings. Pp. 625-629. 766 F.2d 932 (CA6 1985) reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion BURGER, C.J., WHITE, POWELL, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. STEVENS, concurring judgment, BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, joined, post, p. 629. Kathleen McManus, Columbus, Ohio, appellants. William Bentley Ball, Harrisburg, Pa., appellees. Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 various individuals brought United States Southern 42 1983, (Commission). asserted punishing engaging discrimination. grounds conflict between yet ripe, violated neither nor Amendment, made Sixth Circuit enforcement impermissibly burden appellees' rights result excessive entanglement Clause. We postponed question consideration merits. 474 978, 379, 88 332 (1985). now conclude we reverse, our cases beginning 669 (1971). 2 education at levels. It formed two local churches, Patterson Park Brethren Church Tabernacle, regarded "nondenominational" extension ministries these churches. corporate charter establishes directors (board) lead spiritual temporal matters. App. 11. also includes section entitled "Statement Faith," serves restrict membership educational staff persons Statement Faith each member born-again reaffirm annually Bible, Trinity, nature mission Jesus Christ, sin, role Holy Ghost, resurrection judgment dead, need unity, divine creation human beings. Id., 5-6. 3 elaborated requirements include core rooted passages New Testament, one take another into courts State. Teachers expected they supervisor, board, sought ensure compliance making employment. 4 Linda Hoskinson employed during 1978-1979 She subscribed agreed resolve internally Biblical command. In January 1979, informed principal, James Rakestraw, pregnant. consulting superiors, Rakestraw end year children. Instead appealing internally, attorney sent letter superintendent, Claude Schindler, threatening 5 Upon receipt letter, Schindler suspended immediately challenging manner inconsistent reviewed decided terminate Hoskinson. stated sole earlier said received prior notice concerning mother's duty young 6 (Commission), discrimination, Rev. Code Ann. 4112.02(A) (Supp.1985), rights, Rev.Code 4112.02(I) (Supp.1985). notified conducting preliminary matter, repeatedly urged settlement, warning failure do could formal adjudication matter. 7 eventually determined probable cause believe discriminated retaliated attempting assert §§ 4112(A) (I). Pursuant 4112.05(B) Conciliation Agreement Consent Order required reinstate backpay, taking retaliatory employee participating investigation. warned accede proposal acceptable counteroffer being it. When failed respond, filing complaint. 103. 8 permanent 118-120. motion dismiss, arguing, refrain enjoining abstention doctrines. Record, Doc. 9, pp. 7-8. documents defending 9 argument, injunction. 578 F.Supp. 1004 (1984). previously noted, 10 hold 1254(2) Appeals. That appeal "by party relying State appeals invalid Constitution." embraces Dutton Evans, 400 74, 76, n. 6, 210, 213, 213 (1970). Here satisfies test. 4112.02 seq. (Supp.1985) body investigate charges decide whether impose sanctions. See F.2d, 935, 5, 944, 955, 961. 11 Having below, turn exercised itself. (1971), later cases.1 oral here. Tr. Oral Arg. postargument brief urging waived claim stipulated action. think, however, misconceives abstention. does arise lack strong policies counseling where kinds already commenced. A voluntarily submit even though might tenable Brown Hotel Employees, 468 491, 500, 104 3179, 3185, 82 373 (1984); Bureau Employment Services Hodory, 431 471, 479-480, 97 1898, 1903-1904, 52 513 (1977); Sosna Iowa, 419 393, 396-397, 3, 95 553, 555-556, 532 (1975). But proceed think similar consent waiver here, therefore address deciding 12 supra, very unusual situation injury. justified equitable principles, id., 43, S.Ct., 750, "more vital consideration" proper respect fundamental system. 44, 750. Because federalism, thought 13 "perfectly natural repeat time again normal thing asked injunctions." 45, 751 (emphasis added). 14 recognized concern federalism certain principle involved. Huffman Pursue, Ltd., 420 592, 1200, 43 482 (1975); Juidice Vail, 430 327, 1211, 51 376 Trainor Hernandez, 434, 1911, 486 Moore Sims, 442 415, 423, 99 2371, 2377, 60 994 (1979). Gibson Berryhill, 411 564, 576-577, 93 1689, 1696-1697, 36 488 (1973), "administrative looking toward revocation license practice medicine circumstances command due proceedings." Similarly, lawyer disciplinary ethics committees appropriate Supreme Middlesex County Ethics Committee Garden Bar Assn., 457 102 2515, 73 116 (1982). found "judicial nature" outset, 432-434, 2521-2522, essential progressed heard case.2 15 principles enunciated govern one. cited authorities. contends mere violates rejected attack procedures themselves "automatically vitiates adequacy purposes Younger-Huffman line cases." Moore, 442, n.10. U.S., 427, 10, 2379, 10. schools cannot wholly free some regulation. Wisconsin Yoder, 406 205, 92 1526, 1532, 32 (1972). however merits, merely investigating Hoskinson's discharge case, only ascertain ascribed religious-based fact discharge. 16 afford level challenges potential alleged reply cites several rulings demonstrate justifications otherwise illegal conduct considered See, e.g., re St. Mary Falls, 948 relies Mobil Oil Corp. Rocky River, 38 St.2d 23, 309 N.E.2d 900, 902 (1974), zoning commission seem supported say construe own mandate light principles. Cf. NLRB Catholic Bishop Chicago, 440 490, 1313, 59 533 event, Middlesex, 436, 2523, proceeding. Section 4112.06 (1980) "respondent claiming aggrieved order . obtain thereof." us indicating provision agency Constitution. 17 remanded further consistent opinion. 18 ordered. 19 whom BLACKMUN join, judgment. 20 (School), Mrs. teacher. Shortly after learning pregnant, School renew teaching next academic reasons according School, (1) School's remain supervise care forthcoming child; (2) command" regarding disagreement conviction home. 115 (complaint Inc., al.). 21 termination, Commission. investigated and, upon finding Revised Code,1 scheduled hearing. thereupon declaratory injunctive relief. 22 argued antidiscrimination sectarian schools.2 "[t]he part presently immediacy reality justiciable controversy investigation, place, hearing [Commission] Hoskinson." 1004, 1029 (SD 1984). Accord, 1039. On concluded constitutional. "the number ways interfere with" freedom, concerns—which relate possible remedies ordered found—were "hypothetical speculative" ripe current record. 1028.3 23 reversed. 1985). "challenge[d] [Commission's] issuance case." 950, 31. acknowledged "an reinstatement backpay Ibid. nevertheless "chilling knowledge" selection criteria "will reevaluated, perhaps, adjusted applying secular criteria" placed impermissible freedoms. Looking future, "highly intrusive reinstatement, well "continuing surveillance implicated conciliation agreement Commission" "reveal 'significant risk infringed.' " 942-943 (quoting 502, 1319, (1979)). 951. 24 Like majority, I Amendment: discharge." Ante, 628. 25 challenge possibly premature juncture. majority points out, ante, 629, recognizes illegal. Thus, although forbids basis religion, dismissed complaints institutions, see Menz Pius 3823 (1983), limiting instructors faith, Michael's 2726 (1976); bears emphasis violated, follows schedule mean intends sanction, let alone sanction derogation Amendment's view fact, entirely correct concluding remedial review.4 Accordingly, concur judgment.5 refuses merits never subject federal-court allegedly can asserted, all, Steffel Thompson, 415 462, 94 1217 (holding inappropriate "is filed," circumstance "federal intervention duplicative legal disruption justice system"; "be interpreted reflecting negatively [a] court's ability enforce principles"; absence deprives [of] concrete vindicate rights"). 437, 2524, (1982) (requiring forum all relevant issues clearly demonstrated available court" (citation omitted)). ripeness foreclosed 452, 1209, 39 505 Doran Salem Inn, 422 922, 2561, 45 648 reasonable threat prosecution protected Constitution gives rise controversy. 458-460, 1215-1216. If creates controversy, fail how actual not. true rule completely partially favor; plaintiffs prevailed prosecuted. lower virtually uniform applies Williams Red Bank Board Education, 662 1008 (CA3 1981); Grandco Rochford, 536 197, 206 (CA7 1976); McCune Frank, 521 1152, 1158 (CA2 1975); McDonald Metro-North Commuter Railroad Division Metropolitan Transit Authority, 565 37 (SDNY 1983) (Weinfeld, J.). Only recent Martori Bros. Distributors James-Massengale, 781 1349, 1354 (CA9 1986), departs position, without analysis. Of course, indicates nature," appropriate. Hawaii Housing Authority Midkiff, 467 229, 237-239, 2321, 2327-2329, 81 186 application fully Patsy Florida Regents, 496, 2557, 172 (1982), holds litigants exhaust bringing 1983 suit 607-611, 1209-1212, Unlike Patsy, here coercive remedial, began before substantial advancement took involve interest. provides, part: "§ Unlawful discriminatory practices. "It shall practice: "(A) For employer, race, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, ancestry person, just cause, refuse hire, discriminate person tenure, terms, conditions, privileges matter directly indirectly related employment." face. overbroad void vagueness. invalidated facial attack. longer presses "In permitting instant way either force [the Commission's] [Ohio Code] Chapter 4112 bear [Dayton Schools] burdening [appellees'] first amendment or, deemed find liable, necessarily problems. However, many voiced [appellees] about encroachment freedoms possibilities, serve issuing [Commission]." F.Supp., 1041. majority's general statement "a controversy." 626, omitted). arrest initiation proceedings—as pamphleteer 1215-1216, operators bars 930-931, 2567-2568, (1975)—a "reasonable threat" make review. adjudicate completed follow whatever ultimately fashioned (should liability established relief ordered) showing commence. suggest result, prosecuted cases. willingness tailor accommodate freedoms, plainly overly trench To require detail constitutionally permissible range sentencing discretion advance explanation justifying fashion. Either items information inform analysis prove decisive determining hypothesized remedy. associated dismiss disposition presumably deny provisional remedy, complainant's charges, become entry

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