Court Opinion

ID: 9850265
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:54:19.141526+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:34.101370
License: Public Domain

FELDMAN, Justice,
concurring.
I agree that due process was not violated in the cases before us and therefore concur in the result reached by the majority. I write separately because of my fear that some language used by the majority might be misinterpreted.
First, I think it important to emphasize that the legislature has no authority to deprive this court of its constitutional power of judicial review. The power and responsibility of review is reserved to the judicial department of government. Neither the legislature nor the executive may sit in judgment on the propriety of their own acts or those of the instrumentalities that they have created. Giss v. Jordan, 82 Ariz. 152, 164, 309 P.2d 779, 787 (1957); Puterbaugh v. Gila County, 45 Ariz. 557, 562, 46 P.2d 1064, 1066 (1935). Judicial powers cannot be assumed by the legislative or executive branches of the government. Ariz. Const. art 3; Ahearn v. Bailey, 104 Ariz. 250, 252, 451 P.2d 30, 32 (1969).
The inmates claim that we may review for statutory compliance. I agree. “Any excursion by an administrative agency , beyond the legislative guidelines is treated as an usurpation of constitutional powers.” Swift and Company v. State Tax Commission, 105 Ariz. 226, 230, 462 P.2d 775, 779 (1969). However, I concur with the result reached by the majority on this issue because each of the concerns or reasons expressed by the parole board (behavioral history, institutional adjustment, demonstrated recidivism and nature of the offense for which committed) are factors relevant to the statutory standard—whether there is a probability that the parole applicant will be able to remain at liberty without further violations of the law. See A.R.S. § 31-412.
Finally, I think it important to emphasize that the legislature is also powerless to deprive this court of jurisdiction to consider issues traditionally cognizable under extraordinary writs. See Peters v. Frye, 71 Ariz. 30, 36, 223 P.2d 176, 179 (1950); Collins v. Krucker, 56 Ariz. 6, 13-14, 104 P.2d 176, 179 (1940). The writs are available to require administrative officers to exercise their discretion in a proper manner, even though the courts cannot order it exercised toward any particular result. Cagle Brothers Trucking Service v. Arizona Corporation Commission, 96 Ariz. 270, 272, 394 P.2d 203, 205 (1964). See also, Lesher, Extraordinary Writs in the Appellate Courts, 7 Ariz.L.Rev. 34 (1965); Davis, Arizona Administrative Mandamus, 9 Ariz.L.Rev. 1 (1967).
*187This court’s authority with regard to issuance of common law writs against state officers and agencies is expressly confirmed by the Arizona Constitution, art. 6, §§ 5(1) and (3). Even under this grant of jurisdiction, however, the board’s decisions as to these inmates “can be reasonably attributed to an application of valid factors of choice” and is, therefore, within the discretion of the board. Davis, supra, citing to L. JAFFE, JUDICIAL CONTROL OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, 182 (1965).
In summary, I believe that the term “sole discretion” as used in A.R.S. § 31-412 means just what it says. The discretion to be exercised is given to the board, not the courts. Although the court retains power to require the board to obey the Constitution, comply with the statutes and base its decisions on fact, it may not substitute its view of the facts for that of the board.
I concur in the result reached by the majority.
GORDON, V.C.J., agrees with Justice FELDMAN’s concurrence.