Legal Document

390 U.S. 736 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1437 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 270 Josephine HANNER, petitioner,v.Cecil DeMARCUS et ux. Number 497. of the October, Term, 1967. April 29, 1968 Rehearing Denied June 10, 1968. See 392 917, 2051. Philip M. Haggerty, Phoenix, Ariz., for petitioner. N. Pike Johnson, Jr., respondents. On Writ Certiorari to Arizona. PER CURIAM. 1 The writ certiorari is dismissed as improvidently granted. 2 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, with whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE and BLACK concur, dissenting. 3 Respondent was appointed Special Master in an Arizona divorce proceeding where petitioner, Hanner, defendant. court ordered petitioner pay respondent's $5,072.10 Master's fee. obtained a execution levied on certain real property which respondent purchased at sale amount judgment, later acquiring sheriff's deed. only notice judicial by newspaper publication public posting. Three years after execution, commenced quiet-title action court. Petitioner pleaded affirmative defense that deed were 'null void no effect' because neither nor sheriff gave her actual sale, although knew address attorney action. granted summary and, appeal Court, urged given her, procedure violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. State construe Rule 53(a) Rules Civil Procedure, 16 A.R.S., concerning fees, require debtor order avoid constitutional problem. That court, however, held did not but merely underlying debt, concluded deny due process. 4 In petition certiorari, Mrs. Hanner failure give prejudiced three respects: (1) she unable invoke privilege under state law, Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 12-1562, specify should seize satisfy debt; (2) demand comply 12-1553, providing be personal rather than realty, personalty sufficient judgment; (3) enabled acquire less $5,100 land he case had valued $20,000 values $40,000, knowing protect interests. 5 his brief opposing argued federal question presented, whether judgment required procedural process, been decided Endicott-Johnson Corporation versus Encyclopedia Press, 266 285, 45 61, 69 L.Ed. 288, debt sufficed. We determine Endicott overruled. 389 926, 19 277. 6 merits, changed position properly before this Court. Sections 12-1562 12-1553 Statutes, claims, do fact notice. It failing these sections instead arguing unconstitutional unless construed bypassed grounds might have entitled relief. 7 Section provides shall officer against 'out debtor, if cannot found, then out property. * *' subsec. B provides: 'A may point levying desires on, deems it make levy other property.' 8 Blasingame Wallace, 32 Ariz. 580, 261 Pacific KF135 P2 42, provisions 'not mandatory' 'may set aside shown could applied upon it, or exercise reasonable diligence discovered failed sold worth many times sum.' Id., 586, P., 44. 9 know precisely what briefs parties made part record here. appears, from sketchy us timely objection consult respecting would levy. affidavit two separate distinct arguments regarding first states: 'Affiants allege time affiants receive any said Cecil DeMarcus agents 53(A) Procedure Superior Courts Arizona, material issue defendants plaintiff.' (Emphasis original.) 10 next paragraph different allegation notice: further they Sheriff Maricopa County, issued above Sheriff's Lots. Since petitioner's 53(a), relating special masters, notice, allegations relevant State's doctrine. coupled concession there provided process violated, compels conclusion purposes Court's review questions adequately presented courts applicability Blasingame, even though cited §§ until rehearing. Moreover, will decline decide simply technicalities briefing pleading. NAACP Alabama ex rel. Flowers, 377 84 1302, 12 325; Wright Georgia, 373 284, 83 1240, 349; Staub City Baxley, 355 313, 318, 78 277, 302. 11 When below viewed holding necessity does entitle relief, unquestionable has receives proceedings.1 With all respect, Baron Parke2 say raised therefore propriety overruling supra, squarely presented. 13 1924, its notifying never reaffirmed Significantly, hold absence permissible, having day being aware him, expected follow. 14 decision, expansion scope requirement itself (e. g., Armstrong Manzo, 380 545, 85 1187, 62 (adoption); Lambert People California, 225, 240, 228 (felon's duty register); Covey Town Somers, 351 141, 76 724, 100 1021 (property tax foreclosure)),3 new approach sufficiency means giving particular types cases. Mullane Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 70 652, 94 865; Walker Hutchinson City, 352 112, 77 200, 178; Schroeder New York, 371 208, 279, 255. 'The employed must such one desirous actually informing [opposing party] reasonably adopt accomplish it.' U.S., 315, S.Ct., 657. 15 rationale party who litigated taken him deemed, proceedings same rejected Griffin Griffin, 327 220, 66 556, 90 635. There wife won husband 1926 award $3,000 per year alimony. 1938, without ex-husband, alimony arrears execution. Under applicable York defeated liability accrued arrearage proof, example, remarried change circumstances, comparative financial status, warranting retroactive modification award. 1938 saying: 'While undoubtedly true decree, practice subject, entry docket form obligation installments accruing we find ground saying place proceedings, inasmuch undertook substantially affect rights ways decree not.' 229, 561. 17 Does way demands instant case? Hanner's sale—certainly 'undertook [her] rights.' substantial stake law reduce proof circumstances; right select effectively prevent seizing $40,000 judgment. Is more reason accept fiction constructive knowledge Griffin? 18 face light our recent decisions BRENNAN, N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions agree my Brother Douglas, reasons stated dissenting opinion, view situation indistinguishable Endicott—both involve money judgments present identical circumstance reversed Endicott. refuses consider overruled, see alternative vote affirm authority. part: '[W]hen compensation allowed [to Master] within prescribed master delinquent party.' held: cursory reading rule makes evident word 'notice' refers intent execute, once notification given. Therefore [petitioner] intended immaterial. clear terms. If paid, payment secured. disagree defendant's contention method either vague lacking protections guaranteed clauses Federal Constitutions.' Knight DeMarcus, 102 105, 107-108, 425 Reporter, 2nd 837, 839-840. Sir James Parke served England's bench 1828-1855. 'His fault almost superstitious reverence dark pleading.' Dictionary National Biography 226. 'Engrained concept Notice sometimes essential so citizen chance defend charges. interests are disturbed, assessments made, penalties assessed. myriad situations penalty forfeiture suffered mere act.' 228, 243.

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