Legal Document

435 U.S. 247 98 Supreme Court Reporter 1042 55 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 252 John D. CAREY et al., Petitioners,v.Jarius PIPHUS, etc., al. Number 76-1149. Argued Dec. 6, 1977. Decided March 21, 1978. Syllabus In actions by public school students under 42 Code KF62 § 1983 against officials, wherein the were found to have been suspended from without procedural due process, students, absent proof of actual injury, are entitled recover only nominal damages. Pp. 253-267. (a) The basic purpose a damages award is compensate persons for injuries caused deprivation constitutional rights. 254-257. (b) To further 1983, rules governing compensation rights should be tailored interests protected particular right in question, just as common-law defined various branches tort law. 257-259. (c) Mental and emotional distress denial process cannot presumed occur, case common law defamation per se, but, although such compensable, neither likelihood injury nor difficulty proving it so great justify awarding compensatory that actually was caused. 259-264. (d) issues what elements prerequisites recovery appropriate must considered with reference nature question. Therefore, cases dealing awards rig ts other than not controlling this case. 264-265. (e) Because "absolute" sense does depend upon merits claimant's substantive assertions, because importance organized society observed, actionable therefore if determined suspensions justified, they nevertheless will 266-267. 545 Federal Reporter, 2nd 30, reversed remanded. Earl baron Hoffenberg, Chicago, Ill., petitioners. S. Elson, respondents. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 case, brought we consider who elementary secondary schools process. Appeals Seventh Circuit held substantial nonpunitive even their do prove any We disagree, hold absence 2 * Respondent Jarius Piphus freshman at Chicago Vocational High School during 1973-1974 year. On January 23, 1974, hours, principal saw another student standing outdoors on property passing back forth described an irregularly shaped cigarette. approached unnoticed smelled he believed strong odor burning marihuana. He also try pass packet cigarette papers student. When became aware principal's presence, threw into nearby hedge. 3 took school's disciplinary office directed assistant impose "usual" 20-day suspension violation rule use drugs.1 protested had smoking marihuana, but no avail. allowed remain school, class, remainder day while tried, success, reach his mother. 4 A notice sent Piphus' mother, few days later two meetings arranged among Piphus, sister, representatives legal aid clinic. determine whether arihuana, rather explain reasons suspension. Following unfruitful exchange views, guardian ad litem, filed suit petitioners District its jurisdictional counterpart, 28 1343, charging Fourteenth Amendment. complaint sought declaratory injunctive relief, together punitive amount $3,000.2 readmitted temporary restraining order after eight 5 Silas Brisco sixth grade Clara Barton Elementary September 11, 1973, came wearing one small earring. previous year issued earrings male practice denoted membership certain street gangs increased gang members would terrorize students. reminded rule, refused remove earring, asserting symbol black pride, membership. 6 talked Brisco's advising her son 20 did mother supported son's position, imposed. Amendment.3 $5,000.4 pendency proceedings preliminary injunction 17 7 consolidated trial submitted stipulated records. both process.5 It qualified immunity second branch Wood versus Strickland, 420 308, 95 992, 43 214 (1975), "should known lengthy adjudicative hearing type" violate App. Pet. Certiorari A14.6 Despite these holdings, declined because: 8 "Plaintiffs put evidence record qualify damages, completely devoid which could form basis speculative inference measuring extent injuries. Plaintiffs' claims fail complete lack proof." Ibid. 9 court stated relief deletion records, apparent failed enter effect. Instead, simply dismissed complaints. No finding made respondents received 10 respondents' appeal, 30 (1976). first erred granting relief. judgment tended pecuniary value each missed suspended. said, however, representing time showed remand "that there cause suspension[s] [respondents] proper held." Id., 32. 11 Finally, "nonpunitive" denied 31. Relying earlier decision Hostrop Board Junior College Dist. 515, 523 569 (CA7 1975), cert. denied, 425 963, 96 1748, 48 208 (1976), awarded "even if, bar, individualized plaintiff, mental . ." F.2d, granted certiorari whether, action plaintiff injured before may 430 964, 97 1642, 52 355 (1977). II 12 Title Rev.Stat. 1979, derived Civil Rights Act 1871, Statutes-at-Large 13, provides: 13 "Every person who, color statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, State Territory, subjects, causes subjected, citizen within jurisdiction thereof rights, rivileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, shall liable party law, equity, proceeding redress." 14 legislative history elsewhere detailed, e. g., Monroe Pape, 365 167, 172-183, 81 473, 476-481, 492 (1961); id., 225-234, 504-509 (Frankfurter, J., dissenting part); Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 238-242, 92 2151, 2159-2161, 32 705 (1972), demonstrates intended "[create] species liability" favor deprived "rights, privileges, secured" them Constitution. Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, 417, 984, 996, 47 128 15 Petitioners contend "species parallel those torts. particular, urge rights; and, further, plaintiffs required violated, violation, Unless argue, most 16 Respondents seem make different arguments support holding below. First, deprivation. This, say, valuable themselves, need deter violations believe view reflects accurately Congress enacted 1983. Second, argue is, contend, primarily every some injury. This presumption, relieve necessity Atlantic Insofar better argument. Rights, otherwise, exist vacuum. Their protect interests, contours protect. 18 Our system's concept "The cardinal principle AngloAmerican defendant's breach duty." KF105 F3 Harper & James, Law Torts 25.1, Page 1299 (1956) (emphasis original).7 implicitly has recognized applicability stating available section "found violative CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND TO HAVE CAUSED COMPENSABLE INJURY wood U.S., 319, S.Ct., 999 supplied); see Codd Velger, 429 624, 630-631, 882, 885-886, 51 (1977) (Brennan, dissenting); Adickes Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Kress Co., 398 144, 232, 90 1598, 1641, 26 142 (1970) concurring Bivens Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 388, 397, 91 1999, 2005, 29 619 (1971) (action directly Fourth Amendment); 408-409, 2010-2011 (Harlan, judgment). lower federal courts appear generally agree principle.8 19 Members address question designed hardly foreign many lawyers 1871.9 Two sections 1871 incorporate principle, reason suggests itself reading differently.10 meant establish deterrent more formidable inherent See 442, 1000-1001 (White, judgment).11 B less difficult conclude governed apply concrete cases.12 But over centuries torts developed set implement compensated fairly These rules, defining recovery, provide starting point inquiry well.13 21 clear, solution issue cases, closely right. action. 231-232, dissenting). analogous 196, 488, n. concurring); 250-251, 518 supra, 508 Narcotic .S., 394, 2003; 2010, 2011 task adapting fair 22 Although adaptation delicacy demonstrates—it undertaken. defeated went uncompensated recognize Cf. Jones Hildebrant, 432 183, 190-191, 2283, 2288, 53 209 Sullivan Little Hunting Park, 396 229, 240, 400, 406, 24 386 (1969). question—just themselves Harlan "the experience judges private [tort] supports conclusion capable making types concerning causation magnitude necessary accord meaningful invasion [constitutional] rights." With principles mind, now turn problem hand. Contract 23 Due Process Clause Amendment "[N]or deprive life, liberty, property, 25 "raises impenetrable barrier taking person's possessions," life. Fuentes Shevin, 67, 81, 1994, 556 (1972). Procedural deprivation, mistaken unjustified property. Thus, deciding constitutionally contexts, repeatedly emphasized "procedural risk error truth-finding Mathews Eldridge, 344, 893, 907, (1976).14 Such "minimize substantively unfair deprivations of" enabling contest proposes interests. 1994. can "[respondents] held," 32, then suspensions. thought failure properly e viewed Ibid.; cf. Mt. Healthy City Ed. Doyle, 274, 285-287, 568, 575-576, 50 471 (1977); Arlington Heights Metropolitan Housing Dev. Corp., 252, 270-271, 555, 565-566, 450 suggested circumstances, constitute windfall, compensation, citing 579; 285-286, 575. understand parties disagree conclusion. Nor we.15 27 substantial—although unspecified—damages 'inherent wrong,' " 31, justified real, intangible, Respondents, elaborating theme, submit correct "presumed" flow argument addition protecting deprivations, guarantees "feeling treatment" government. Anti-Fascist Committee McGrath, 341 123, 162, 71 643, L.Ed. 817 (1951) concurring). They where premise erroneous, inevitably arouses feelings individual treatment." analogize relieved producing whatsoever injured" C. McCormick, Damages 116, 423 (1935).16 deny convey feeling government dealt him fairly, well minimize go far concede that, position might Petitioners' limited least issue, actions. respect. As observed context, doctrine se "is oddity allows purportedly loss." Gertz Robert Welch, Inc., 418 323, 349, 94 2997, 3011-3012, 41 789 (1974). defended grounds forms virtually serious reputation, kind extremely prove. 373, 376, 3023, 3025 dissenting).17 Moreover, statements defamatory very likely distress, arguably little require either.18 considerations contention reasonable assume departure matter circumstances how minor, inherently publication reputation distress. Where interest procedures deficient respect, suffer irregularities. Indeed, contrast immediately distressing effect know until enlists counsel challenge perceived 31 deficient, whatever feels attributable deficiencies procedure. held, including compensable 1983.19 ambiguity causation, provides additional requiring convince trier fact suffered itself. foresee Distress personal familiar customarily proved showing wrong plaintiff.20 sum, then, Defendant 33 believed, urge, racial discrimination, voting presumption denied.21 Many relied help implied actual, recovered. Others issue.22 More importantly, necessarily another. 258-259, For reason, intimating merits, deem controlling. III 34 Even remains "It enough invoke safeguards significant stake, ultimate outcome 87, 1997; 632, 886 (Stevens, Coe Armour Fertilizer Works, 237 413, 424, 35 625, 629, 59 1027 (1915). Common-law traditionally vindicated shown through sum money.23 By recognizes scrupulously observed; same time, true or, exemplary punish malicious 36 Boddie Connecticut, 401 371, 375, 780, 784, 113 (1971); 171-172, 648-649 concurring), injury.24 remand, determines exceed dollar petitioners.25 37 reversed, remanded consistent opinion. 38 ordered. 39 MARSHALL concurs result. 40 BLACKMUN part consideration At suspensions, Education's general provided: "For gross disobedience misconduct pupil temporarily period exceeding month offense. Each reported Superintendent parent pupil, full statement authority review return pupil." Rule 6-9 Rules Education (1973), quoted opinion, A9. terms "gross disobedience" "misconduct" unconstitutionally vague narrowed principals' issuance allegedly violated here. A9-A10. amended following Court's Goss Lopez, 419 565, 729, 725 (1975). A10-A11, 3. named defendants, individually official capacities, school; General Schools city Chicago; Chicago. Also People Save Humanity (PUSH), religious corporation laws Illinois, includes parents children schools. PUSH maintain suit, ruling challenged appeal. claim, alleged enforcement "no-earring" freedom expression First Amendments. Neither below passed we. Illinois Public Instruction. latter party's motion dismiss. read "more formal procedures" days, deta led list requirements. A11-A12. either listing granted. occurred Lopez decided, placed Linwood Peoria, 463 763 (CA7), 409 1027, 93 475, 320 holding. expressly lose i. e., act "with intention student," 322, 1001: "Here barren suggesting defendants acted maliciously enforcing policies plaintiffs. Undoubtedly integrity educational process." A13. Dobbs, Remedies 3.1, Pages 135-138 (1973); (1935); W. Prosser, 2, (4th ed. 1971). See, ex rel. Tyrrell Speaker, 535 823, 829-830, (CA3 1976); Larkins Oswald, 510 583, 590 (CA2 1975); Magnett Pelletier, 488 33, (CA1 1973); Stolberg Bd. Trustees Colleges Conn., 474 485, 488-489 Donovan Reinbold, 433 738, 743 (CA9 1970). Hilliard, Torts, ch. 3, (3d 1866); T. Sedgwick, Measure 25-35 (5th 1869). proponent asked debate: "[W]hat legislation give remedy civil action?" Cong. Globe, 42d Cong., 1st Sess., 482 (1871) (remarks Rep. Wilson). And opponent complained: slightest conceivable character, estimation sensible man five dollars cents; call merely damages; yet given instead being prosecuted States." 216 Sen. Thurman). Nahmod, Section "Background" Tort Liability, Ind. L.J. 5, Act, 13-14, codified 1985(3), unlawful conspire, inter alia, "for depriving class equal protection privileges provided supplied): "[I]f engaged conspiracy do, done, furtherance object conspiracy, whereby having exercising privilege States, occasioned 15, 1986, "[A]ny persons, knowledge wrongs conspired done mentioned about committed, power prevent preventing same, neglect refuse so, wrongful injured, representatives, f r all say specific deterring punishing g. Silver Cormier, 529 161, 163-164 (CA10 Stengel Belcher, 522 438, 444 (CA6 dismissed, 118, 1505, 760 (1976); Spence Staras, 507 554, 558 1974); Caperci Huntoon, 397 799, 801 (CA1), 393 940, 89 299, 276 (1968); Mansell Saunders, 372 573, 576 (CA5 1967); Basista Weir, 340 74, 84-88 1965). imply approval disapproval note specifically supra approved "non-punitive" potential liability attorney's fees, Attorney's Fees Awards 1976, 94-559, 2641, amending 1988, additional—and means inconsequential assurance agents deliberately ignore 242, criminal counterpart discussions problems fashioning McCormack, Federalism 1983: Limitations Judicial Enforcement Constitutional Protections, Part 1, 60 Va.L.Rev. 55-66 (1974); 9, 25-27 89; Yudof, Liability Risk-Averse Official, 49 S.Cal.L.Rev. 1322, 1366-1383 Comment, Actions Statutes, 45 Texas L.Rev. 1015, 1023-1035 (1967). looked similar fashion constructing 417-419, 988-989, discussed. 1988 authorizes look "necessary furnish suitable remedies" Dixon Love, 431 105, 112-114, 1723, 1727-1728, 172 Ingraham Wright, 651, 675, 677-678, 682, 1401, 1414, 1415-1416, 1418, 711 Arnett Kennedy, 416 134, 170, 1633, 1652, (1974) (Powell, result 201, 1667 214-215, 1673-1674 (Marshall, Mitchell Grant 600, 609-610, 618, 1895, 1900-1901, 1905, 406 Goldberg Kelley, 254, 266, 1011, 1019, 287 (1970). taken contrary employees jobs discharged E. Thomas Ward, 916, 920 (CA4 Zimmerer Spencer, 485 176, 178-179 Horton Orange County Ed., 464 536, 537-538 1972). Burt Edgefield Dist., 521 1201, 1207-1208 1975) (opinion Winter, J.). because, guilty conduct charged, chance present facts mitigation initial decisionmaker. Gagnon Scarpelli, 411 778, 784-785, 1756, 1760-1761, 656 Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 479-480, 2593, 2599-2600, 2603, 484 claim "[i]t never what, anything, exercise opportunity plead one's judgmental discretionary availed." Brief 28. But, previously indicated, holding, challenge, assumes hearing. presume determination include mitigating swayed decisionmakers. "By harm resulting publications, frequently susceptible objective proof. Libel slander work evil ways invidious subtle." 5.30, 468 (1956); Restatement 621, comment a, 314 (1938). essence libel writing false tend injure reputation. spoken words imputing offense; loathsome disease; affecting adversely fitness trade, business, profession; sexual misconduct. §§ 5.9-5.13 (Second) 558, 559, 569-574 112 example, deni d allegations them. distressed denials believed. equally disbelieved full-dress hearing, instance term "distress" suffering anguish. essentially subjective, genuine respect evidenced others. Juries guided instructions, competent 350, 3012, cited 569, 579 Jeanty McKey Poague, 496 1119 1974), Seaton Sky Realty 491 634 Hostrop, 579, humiliation discriminatory refusals lease housing court's "[h]umiliation inferred established testimony," 636, fact. Annot., Recovery Emotional Resulting Racial, Ethnic, Religious Abuse Discrimination, American Reports, 3rd 1290 (1971). 74 1965); Sexton Gibbs, 327 F.Supp. 134 (ND Tex.1970), aff'd, 446 904 1971), 404 1062, 733, 751 (1972); Rhoads Horvat, 270 307 (Colo.1967), indicated arrests, searches, seizures. illegal arrest waived; would, damag s. 87-88. unclear waived left open remand. 88. Plaintiff humiliation, embarrassment discomfort," awarded. F.Supp., 143. jury $5,000 stand, "not doubt outraged arrest." 311. Wayne Venable, 260 64 (CA8 1919), Ashby White, Bro.P.C. 62, Eng.Rep. 417 (H.L.1703), rev'g Ld.Raym. 938, 126 (K.B.1703), wrongfully vote. Citing maintained vote, recovery. Nixon Herndon, 273 540, 446, 759 (1927); Smith Allwright, 321 649, 757, 88 987 (1944); Coleman Miller, 433, 469, 972, 989, 83 1385 (1939) Frankfurter, J.); Condon, 286 73, 24, 76 516 (1932); Myers Anderson, 238 368, 932, 1349 (1915); Giles Harris, 189 639, 909 (1903); Swafford Templeton, 185 487, 783, 46 1005 (1902); Wiley Sinkler, 179 58, 17, 84 (1900). embodied White course, quite relevant 3.8, 191-193 20-22 907 (1939). number Thompson Burke, 231, 240 1977); 829-830; 87; Bell Gayle, 384 1022, 1026-1027 Tex.1974); Sielaff, 381 840, 844 (ED Pa.1974); Berry Macon 380 1244, 1248 (MD Ala.1971). Appeals' affirmed ground too high standard intangible suffered. 49-52. ordinarily exactitude 3012. "in [respondents], posture, occasion quantum proved.

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