Legal Document

402 U.S. 535 91 Supreme Court Reporter 1586 29 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 90 Paul Judge BELL, Jr., Petitioner,v.R. or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 BURSON, Director, Georgia Department of Public Safety. Number 5586. Argued March 23, 1971. Decided May 24, Syllabus Georgia's Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, which provides that the motor vehicle registration and driver's license an uninsured motorist involved in accident shall be suspended unless he posts security for amount damages claimed by aggrieved party excludes any consideration fault responsibility at a pre-suspension hearing held violative procedural due process. Before Georgia, whose statutory scheme significantly involves issue liability, may deprive individual his registration, it must provide procedure determining question whether there is reasonable possibility judgment being rendered against him as result accident. Pp. 539 543. 121 Ga.App. 418, 174 South Eastern Reporter, 2nd 235, reversed remanded. Elizabeth R. Rindskopf, Atlanta, Ga., petitioner, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Dorothy T. Beasley, respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion 1 Act to cover parties reports accident.1 The administrative conducted prior suspension motorist's liability Appeals rejected petitioner's contention State's scheme, failing before suspending licenses afford on denied process violation Fourteenth Amendment: court "Fault' 'innocence' are completely irrelevant factors.' 420, 236 (1970). review. App. 27. We granted certiorari. 400 963, 376, 27 383 reverse. 2 Petitioner clergyman ministry requires travel car three rural communities. On Sunday afternoon, November 1968, petitioner was when five-year-old Sherry Capes rode her bicycle into side automobile. child's parents filed report with Director indicating their daughter had suffered substantial injuries they $5,000. thereafter informed covered insurance policy effect time file bond cash deposit $5,000 present notarized release from plus proof future financial responsibility,2 suffer registration. 9. requested asserting not liable unavoidable, stating also would severely handicapped performance ministerial duties licenses. A scheduled but '(t)he only evidence can accept consider is: (a) accident; (b) has complied provisions Law provided; (c) does come within exceptions Law.' 11.3 At proffer ascertained exceptions, gave 30 days comply requirements suspension. then exercised right appeal de novo Superior Ga.Code Ann. § 92A—602 (1958). hearing, permitted and, although claimants were neither nor witnesses, found free fault. As result, ordered 'that * (until) suit purpose recovering sustained child *.' 15. This order overruling constitutional contention. 3 If statute barred issuance all motorists who did carry post security, not, under our cases, violate Amendment. Ex parte Poresky, 290 30, 54 3, 78 L.Ed. 152 (1933); Continental Baking company versus Woodring, 286 352, 52 595, 76 1155 (1932); Hess Pawloski, 274 47 632, 71 1091 (1927). It follow, however, amendment permits where motorists, rather accidents, required penalty loss See Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 89 1322, 22 600 (1969); Frost & Trucking Railroad Comm'n, 271 583, 46 605, 70 1101 (1926). Once issued, case, continued possession become essential pursuit livelihood. Suspension issued thus state action adjudicates important interests licensees. In such cases taken away without Sniadach Family Finance Corp., 395 337, 1820, 23 349 Goldberg Kelly, 397 254, 1011, 25 287 application general proposition relevant restraints limit power terminate entitlement denominated 'right' 'privilege.' Sherbert Verner, 374 398, 83 1790, 10 965 (1963) (disqualification unemployment compensation); Slochower Board Higher Education, 350 551, 637, 100 692 (1956) (discharge public employment); Speiser Randall, 357 513, 1332, 1460 (1958) (denial tax exemption); supra (withdrawal welfare benefits). Londoner Denver, 210 373, 385—386, 28 708, 713—714, 1103 (1908); Goldsmith Tax Appeals, 270 117, 215, 494 (1926); Opp Cotton Mills Administrator, 312 126, 61 524, 85 624 (1941). 4 turn nature afforded licensee accident.4 rule satisfy one context necessarily every case. Thus, procedures adequate determine claim suffice try felony charge. Compare U.S., 270—271, S.Ct., 1021—1022, Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 792, 9 799 (1963). Clearly, inquiry requisite need take form full adjudication liability. That made litigation between Since us obtain pay judgments resulting accident, we hold will satisfied limited determination amounts licensee. 5 State argues licensee's interest avoiding outweighed countervailing governmental therefore this him. disagree. no licensee, protecting claimant unrecoverable fault-oriented justification denying its citizens. Nor additional expense occasioned expanded sufficient withstand requirement. "While problem kept mind, justify meeting ordinary standards process." 261, 1017, quoting Kelly Wyman, 294 F.Supp. 893, 901 (SDNY 1968). 6 main thrust argument because scheme. assume so, presently provided 'appropriate case.' Mullane Central Hanover Bank Trust Co., 339 306, 313, 652, 657, 94 865 (1950). But '(i)n reviewing area look substance, bare form, minimums have been honored.' Willner Committee Character, 373 96, 106—107, 1175, 1182, 224 (concurring opinion). And looking operation clear sense ultimate judicial responsibility, plays crucial role Act. executed injured party, worked 92A—606 same true if nonliability. Ibid. Even after declared, non-liability lift 92A—607 (Supp. 1970). Moreover, other Act's developed around liability-related concepts. dealing here no-fault makes factor licenses, consistently process, eliminate hearing. 7 Due Process Clause 'meaningful,' Armstrong Manzo, 380 545, 552, 1187, 1191, 14 62 (1965), supra, 657. hardly seems explication element decision meet standard. 8 Finally, reject determination, unlike matters considered administratively supension While '(m) controversies raged about Clause,' ibid., fundamental except emergency situations (and one)5 seeks involved, 'notice opportunity appropriate case' termination becomes effective. 152—156, 536—538; supra; Wisconsin Constantineau, 433, 507, 515 (1971). hold, then, forum deem inappropriate case do more than lay down alternative methods compliance several. decide merely include now provided, elect postpone proceedings withhold until brought party. Indeed, abandon pursue various alternatives force States.6 above devise entirely new regulatory choice wide: failure defined remanded further inconsistent opinion. 11 Reversed 12 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, BLACKMUN concur result. 92A—601 et seq. pertinent part anyone submit 92A—604 Within receipt 'shall suspend certificates plates operator owner manner previously furnished immediately furnishes give section 92A—615.1. *' 92A 605(a) Section 92A—615.1 1970) 'such maintained one-year period.' works suspension, (1) bond, 92A—605(c) 1970); (2) qualifies self-insurer, ibid.; (3) injured, (1958); (4) automobile legally parked (5) owner, operated permission, (6) '(i)f date otherwise satisfactory person released finally adjudicated duly acknowledged written agreement providing payment agreed installments. Questions concerning requirement us. brief, 4, states: 'The year period expired, so (petitioner) proof, even affirmed.' provides: administer enforce Chapter make rules regulations necessary administration hearings upon request persons orders acts Chapter. Such matter record final desire appeal, enter superior county residence, notice appeals entered ordinary, appellant costs advance. desires, heard judge term chambers jury first term. novo, act supersedeas allowed operate permit revocation while pending. sent registered mail service entered.' stated oral 'it possible raise (an equal protection argument) don't point here.' Tr. Oral Arg. 14. See, e.g., Fahey Mallonee, 332 245, 67 1552, 2030 (1947); Ewing Mytinger Casselberry, 594, 870, 1088 compulsory plans, joint public-private unsatisfied funds, assigned claims plans. Keeton O'Connell, After Cars Crash (1967).

Classification Label: 3