Amicus Curiae Brief — Diamond v. Charles
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NIL, JR-
JO CLERK
No. 84-1379
In the Supreme Court of the United States
October Term, 1984
Eugene F. Diamond, M.D. and
Jasper F. Williams, M.D.,
Appellants.
v.
Allan G. Charles, M.D., et al.,
Appellees,
and
The Hope Clinic for Women, Ltd., et al.,
Appellees.
On Appeal from the United States
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Briet for an Ad Hoc Group of Law Professors
as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellees
Denise Carty-Bennia Arthur Kinoy
Northeastern University Rutgers, Center for
School of Law Law & Justice
400 Huntington Avenue 15 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02115 Newark, NJ 07102
Counsel for Amici Curiae
BEST AVAILABLE COPY
AMICI CURIAE
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP
Susan Bandes
DePaul University College of Law
Allan Brotsky
Golden Gate University School of Law
Robert Calhoun
Golden Gate University School of Law
Leonard Cavise
DePaul University College cé Law
Debra Evenson
DePaul University College of Law
John G.S. Flym
Northeastern University School of Law
Sylvia Law
New York University School of Law
Stephanie Levin
Northeastern University School of Law
Christine Littleton
University of California at Los Angeles,
School or Law
Isabel Marcus
State University of New York at Buffalo,
School of Law
Eric Neisser
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,
S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice
Mary O'Connell
Northeastern Universit School of Law
Barbara Rhine
Golden Gate University School of Law
————
—— ae =
AMICI CURIAE, cont.
James V. Rowan
Northeastern University School of Law
Annamay Sheppard
Rutgers, Tne State University of New Jersey,
S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice
Marc Sticxgold
Golden Gate University School of Law
Naaine Taub
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,
S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice
Gilaa M. Tuoni
Northeastern University School of Law
Stephanie Wildman
University of San Francisco, School of Law
Mary Joe Frug
New England School of Law
Judith Greenberg
New England School of Law
Isaac Borenstein
New Englana Schol of Law
Chris Williams
New England School of Law
Elizabeth K. Spann
New England School of Law
Karl Klare
Northeastern University School of Law
AMICI CURIAE, cont.
Ann E. Freeaman
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
School of Law, Camden
Manuel Rodriguez-Orellana
Northeastern University School of Law
Jonathan M. Hyman
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice
David Hall
Northeastern University School of Law
Donald H. Berman
Northeastern University School of Law
crmeniaediaiaeiaaa
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ee. ie COs 6 oo 00 606606 k6ebos sic un i
« ctteaeie gums Ben tlhe ci ee ee 1
Incerest of Amici Curiae...........ccccccee 2
Introduction ana Summary of Argument....... 3
Argument:
1. Traaitional principles of finality
of judgements under 28 U.S.C.
§$1254(2) require dismissal of the
appeal of part of an interlocutory
Order issuea by the Circuit Court
of Appeals in Thornburgh........... 6
II. The supervening enactment of
Pennsylvania Orpnhans' Court Rule
16 requires vacating, as moot, the
appeal from that portion of the
Circuit Court of Appeal's Order in
Thornburgh enjoining the enforcement
Of $3206 of the Pennsylvania
Abortion Control Act on Parental
Consent or Judicial Approval for
NS 0465664644666 65406466 6h 56 19
IIl. The lacx of an Article III §2 live
case or controversy in Diamond
requires this Court to dismiss the
| OTT ET UCT TCC Ter err ere 25
RUSE ee ead hada cbtechiascccauké 37
at
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Axron v. Akron Center for Reproductive
Health, 462 U.S. 416 (1983)......... 4, 6, 23
Allen v. Wright, U.S.__, 104 S.ct. 3315
American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, et al. v. Thornburgh, et al.,
737 F.2d 283 (3rd Cir. 1984)........ 7, passim
Attwell v. Nichols, 608 F.2d 228 (Sth Cir.
1979) cert denied 446 U.S. 955 (1980)...... 20
Beal v. Doe, 432 U.S. 438 (1977)........... 3
Bellotti v. Baird, 428 U.S. i132 (1976)...... 3
Belictti v. Baird, 443 U.S. 622 (1979)...... 3
Blum v. Yaretsxy, 457 U.S. 991 (1982)...... 36
Bordenkircher v. Hayes, 434 U.S. 357
DU COrCeeeUe beige ke bebe badedéecéenscacene 28
Brooks v. Flagg Brothers, Inc., 436 U.S.
Se BEPC Pcccécss Peweeeaeed beet dees wee dees 36
. Brown, et al. v. United States, 4ll U.S.
Sec ea ei aie eee 34
) City of Chicago v. Rapid Transit Co., 284
a I ea a 30
Chicago v. Atchison, T. & S.F.R. SO.,- Sar.
I 9
—
i i eee
Colautti v. Franklin, 439 U.S. 379
ee ee ee en 3
Connecticut v. Menillo, 423 U.S. 9
OSC hGS6GNREAW ee hbbadeeonneee os ee ekdane 3
Cort v. Ash, 422 U.S. 66 (1975)............ 20
DeFunis v. Odegaard, 416 U.S. 312 (1974)..19
Diffenderfer v. Central Baptist Church,
Cee Wate Gee CEP ee re ccbbotocctbécciseccce 20, 25
Director, Office of Worker's Compensation
Programs v. Perini North River Assocs.,
U.S. __, 103 S.Ct. 634 (1983)........... 32
Doran v. Salem Inn Inc., 422 U.S. 922
El Paso v. Simmons, 379 U.S. 497 (1964)....9
Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. vy. Risjord,
Saw CaP Sills Be GENO ceccecucecececcece< 18
Flanagan v. United States, U.S. _s
104 S.Ct. 1051 (1984)... 0 ccc cee 16, 18
Plast v. Cohen, 392 U.S. 83 (1968)......... 31
Fusari v. Steinberg, 419 U.S. 379 (1975)...20
Gonzales v. Automatic Employees Credit Union,
dl RR PE ena 16
Hall v. Beals, 396 U.S. 45 (1969).......... 20
Harris v. McRae, 448 U.S. 297 (1980)........ 3
Hill v. Printing Industries of Gulf Coast,
ee Se eet ee ee ee 25
H.L. v. Matheson, 450 U.S. 398 (1981)....... 3
ii
Holcombe v.McKusick, 6l U.S. 952 (1857)...10
Jackson v. Metroplitan Edison, 419 U.S.
Pee - Se Pee Oh bbes 65450606646 o0bs Ovdccdicane 36
Joint Anti-Pascist Refugee Comm. v. McGrath,
ae Wee Bee Cee ene eneeeceeecescecceccaane 26
Keith v. Daley and Illinois Pro-Life
Coalition, No. 84-2860, Slip op. at ll
(7th Circuit Court of Appeals, June 18,
EP 08608960006 50606605606660cb06c066c ce nll
Kremens v. Bartley, 431 U.S. 119 (1977)....20
Linda R.S. v. Richard D. et al., 410 U.S.
Se SEPP eabebbGeedehbobeude* cbs ccécececéa 33
Liner v. Jafeo, Inc., 375 U.S. 301
POPPE PTE EEO TTT TTT TOT eT T Teer 19
Lugar v. Eamonson Oil Co., Inc., 457
* SS 3? | Seeger cep @eccececce 17, 36
Maher v. Roe, 432 U.S. 464 (1977)........... 3
McLish v. Roff, 141 U.S. 661 (1891)........ 13
Metcalfe's Case, 77 Eng. Rep. 1193
Ng) OE ee ee a 10
New Orleans v. Dukes, 426 U.S. 297
TE) Mahe eee ee ee 9
Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527 (1981)..... 27
Perry Education Association v. Perry Local
Educator's Association, 460 U.S.
PP PU EARGSEGHEGSDEEEH 0% e600cccéeeccceces 16
Planned Parenthood Association v. Ashcroft,
Cee Welle SO. Che ee i cecceccceccccecteees 4, 6, 23
eee wet er ee
:
)
Plannea Parenthood of Central Missouri v.
Danforth, 428 U.S. 52 (1976)..........eec... 3
Preiser v. Newkirk, 42 U.S. 395 (1975)..... 20
Princeton University v. Schmid, 455 U.S.
0 eee 28, 29, 30
Rakas v. Illiois, 439 U.S. 128 (1978)...... 33
Rawlings v. Kentucky, 448 U.S. 98 (1980)...33
Regents of University of California v.
Bakxe, 438 U.S. 265 (1978)... . cc cc ccc ccc 31
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)............ 3
Simon v. Eastern Kentucky Welfare
Organization, 426 U.S. 26 (1976)........... 33
Simopoulos v. Virginia, 462 U.S. 506
DPPUCRERGGGSSO60066 60 06000006eeececcece 4, 6
Slaker v. O'Conner, 278 U.S. 188
PPR OReCRBREE Swab oe 6066600404606 0 cnccxr 9
South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. Vv.
Flemming, 351 U.S. 901 (1956) (per
i ee a i a pbeedbdeces< TTT TT err 9
Unitea Building and ‘construction v. Council)
Or Camden, U.S. __, 104 S.Ct. 1020
Sav adeéceces ee ee 25
United Steelworkers of America v. United
states, 361 U.S. 39 (1959)... ct c cee 26
United States yv. Alabama, 396 U.S. 602
MUNSON SGUGGGRGCdGGGEEEbCcccciccccccccccce 20
United States vy. Batchelder, 442 U.S.
PPT T6thdneddsedeeeceecsee Ce ceccccccceces 28
-
United States v. Girault, 52 U.S. 22
ee ee DCCC PEEE EGER OC SCececcecccccec 10
Unitea States v. Munsingwear, 340 U.S.
ek cnc cccccce 24
United States y. Payner, 447 U.S. 727
TEPER CU een cece ccccccccccccccece 33
U.S. Parole Commission, et al. v. Geraghty,
ee ton, et al.
ee tk ccc ceccen, 19
Valley Forge Christian College v. Americans
Unitea tor Separation of Church and State,
I nw ccc ccceccccs cn. Bae Of
Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan
Housing Development Corp., 429 U.S. 252
URES EEGS oc cbccéeccccccccccccce 31
Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490 (1975)....... 31
White vy. Regester, 422 U.S. 935
Ea 6 a coc cccccccccccccccecce 25
Zurcher v. Stanford Daily, 436 U.S.
EPEC Cree eRe ces cccccccccccccccce 33
United States Constitution and United States
Statutes
United States Constitution,
MEGCSGLG TEE $2... ccccccccce TiC h eh eeeceebece 25
ll United States Constitution,
ME Toc cwcccéccceccece Deeeeeeeeeoeecc 33
28 U.S.C. §1254(2) (1964).............. 10, 13
Vv
we UV .MeGe GASETIG) CASTE). ccccdccccccecesec 14
28 U.S.C. $2281 (repealed 1976)............ 15
28 U.S.C. §2282 (repealed 1976)............ 15
BW Gi.B.B, GROOR ChOTEd cc ccccccccccsccsecec 15
Act of February 13, 1925, Ch 229, 43
i ee a ae fo Ue ee ee 9, 43
Amended Judicial Code of 1925,
43 Stat. 936 §240(b)...... 9, 10, 13, 15
Amended Judicial Code of 1925,
OP Bees Delp Beerticccescceescceens 14
Act of September 6, 1916 Ch. 448,
Pe Wk. Pe babke hae ahekeeeoneunsiace uae 15
Act of August 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 1120...... aS
Ce Were Geeewedescaddsens ddbehewd do oo «ss 26
The Evarts Act of March 3, 1891, 26
ee ee See Cah ddeeedéddwbetbnoesen il, is
First Judiciary Act of 1789, l Stat.
eae ee oe 10
Feaeral Rule of Civil Procedure 25(a)...... 35
State Statutes
Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act of 1982,
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Am §§ 3201-3220
Se ee ee ee 5, 7, passim
I MCC CCAN iba de edeueeuneseedeeseueeies 21
S.H.A. Ill. Ch. 38 §81-31 (Smith-Hurd Supp.
eh eta ts Nn Mt se ORM ae
Se ee ee
a
SMe
S.H.A. Ill. Ch. 38 §81-26 (Smith-Hurd Supp.
1982)
PORE OS OOEUEEAES OH EOG0 80 OE RhK ES 6éhe Km a 28
S.H.A. Ill. Ch. 38 §81-11 to §81-34
(Smith-Hurd Supp. 1982)........ 0... ccc cece. 26
Books
Crick, Carleton M., The Final Judgement as
a Basis for Appeal, 41 Yale L.J. 539
[SUNN 4600460663 006006 646 TEER TT TT TPT eee 10
f.Frankfurter and J. Landis, The Business of
the Supreme Court, 273-278 (Johnson Reprint
eaten lb WW ee rr ea: 13, 14
Articles
Blumstein, James F, The Supreme Court's
Jurisaiction - Rerorm Proposals, Discretion-
ary Review, and Writ Dismissals, 26 Vand. L.
ic, ica Bk) PEPE err rer eran 13
Simpson, John, Turning Over the Reins: The
Abolition of The Mandatory Appellate
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court,
6 Hastings Const. L.Q. 297, 299 n.7
Pe Ses bbws oN Gabe dkeGie ieee ae 13, 16, 17
vii
ee
el et mn ln Me. Me Om ey me
——— ee St
In the Supreme Court of the United States
October Term, 1985
No. 84-495
Richard Thornburgh, et al.
Vv.
American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, et al., Appellees
No. 84-1379
Eugene F. Diamond, et al., Appellants
V.
Allan G. Charles, et al., Appellees
On Appeal From the United States Courts
of Appeals for the Third and Seventh Circuits
Brief for an Ad Hoc Group of Law Professors
As Amici Curiae in Support of Appellees
CONSENT OF PARTIES
Amici curiae file this brief with the
consent of all the parties in support cf the
position advanced by the appellees.
, Appellants
INTEREST OF AMICI CURIAE
Amici Curiae are the individuals listed
who compose an ad hoc group of professors
teaching at various American law schools.
The group represents a cross section of views
ana diverse interests. Amici all recognize
the importance and emotional timbre of the
issues raised in this case. They, however,
believe that these issues should not be
resolved at the expense of impugning the
integrity of the federal judicial process
Simply because of the zealousness and fervor
Surrounding their public debate. amici
| recognize ana support the logical and orderly
procedural flow of litigation, as well as
adherence to constitutional requirements for
the exercise of appellate jurisdiction.
Amici, therefore, urge this Court to dismiss
these cases for lack of jurisdiction.
= oe
ee ns SMR gee,
Aes VCO en oe
= ee a inne
vom a - ehdieeameneditae ds
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
More than a decade has passed since this
Court's land-marx decision in Roe yv. Wade,
410 U.S. 113 (1973) (hereafter Roe)
articulated the fundamental] constitutional
Protection of a woman's right to obtain an
abortion. In the intervening years, this
Court consistently has reaffirmed its posi-
tion in a succession of cases challenging the
Practical application of the Cenets of
1 These two cases once more appear to
Roe.
question this Court's strength of conviction
in its interpretation of Roe in several
l/ see Connecticut v. Menillo, 423 U.S. 9
(1975); Plannea Parenthood of Central
Missouri y. Danforth, 428 U.S. 52 (1976);
Bellotti vy. Baird, 428 U.S. 132 (1976); Beal
V. Doe, 432 U.S. 438 (1977); Maher v. Roe,
432 U.S. 464 (1977); Colautti vy. Franklin,
439 U.S. 379 (1979); Bellotti y. Baird, 443
0.S. 622 (1979); Harris y. McRae, 448 U.S.
297 (1980); H.L. vy. Matheson, 450 U.S. 398
(1981),
recent similar decisions. 2 This appear-
ance, however, is deceptive and illusionary.
Both of these cases are improperly before
this Court. Appellants have failed to Satis-
fy fundamental requirements necessary for the
exercise of appellate jurisdiction by this
Court,
In Thornburah, appellants, in their zeal,
seek to disrupt the logical and orderly
procedural flow of litigation by -having this
Court abandon the century long practice of
restricting review on appeal from a Circuit
Court of Appeals decision Co only those cases
involving final judgements. In addition,
because of intervening circumstances, that
Specific part of the appeal seeking review of
the Parental Consent/Judicial Approval provi-
2/P) anned Parenthood Association Vv.
Ashcrott, 462 U.S. 476 (1983); Akron v. Akron
Center for Reproductive Health, 462 U.S. 416
(1983); Simopoulos v. Virginia, 462 U.S. 506
(1983),
=
a ed
Sions, §3206 of the Pennsylvania Abortion
Control Act of 1982, 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Am.
$$3201-3220 (Purdon 1983) (hereafter the
“Pennsylvania Act") Presently is moot as a
matter of appellate review and ripe for
review by the District Court,
Similarly, in Diamond, there is no live
case or controversy for the exercise of
federal judicial Power. Appellants, District
Court intervenors, lack the requisite
Standing necessary to bring the case to this
Court. The District Court Order granting
appellants the right to intervene in the
first place is not dispositive of whether
they now have Standing. None of the origi-
nally named Party-defendants, geveraneanta)
officials representing the State of Illinois,
have filed an appeal or adopted aopellants'
Orief in this case. In fact, all of the
state representatives have been realigned as
appellees in the case before this Court.
I. TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES OF FINALITY OF
JUDGMENTS REQUIRE DISMISSAL OF THE APPEAL
UNDER 28 U.S.C. $1254(2) OF PART oF AN
INTERLOCUTORY ORDER ISSUED BY THE CIRCUIT
COURT OF APPEALS IN THORNBURGH
This case was brought to the Circuit
Court of Appeals on CrosS~-appeals from a
District Court Order, entered on a hastily
Stipulated record, denying a Substantial, but
not total, part of plaintiff's request for a
Preliminary injunction of Che Pennsylvania
Act. The case was twice briefed, as well as
Orally argued. In between, this Court
announced its decisions in three factually
Slmilar cases, Planned Parenthood Association
Vv. Ashcroft, 462 U.S. 476 (1983), Akron y.
Akron Center for Reoroductive Health, 462
U.S. 416 (1983)and Simopoulos vy. Virginia,
462 U.S. 506 (1983). Arter thoughtful and
methodical consideration, the Circuit Court
2f Appeals finally concluded that certain
« @«
sections of the Pennsylania Act were uncon-
Stitutional as a matter of law as written.
The original denial of the preliminary
injunction was reversed in Part and the case
WaS remanded to the District Court "for
further Proceedings in accordance with fits]
| Opinion." American College of Obstetricians
ana Gynecologists y. Thornburgh, 737 F.24
| 283, 304 (3rd Cir. 1984). Judgement was not
: entered for the plaintiffs. Significant
parts of the Pennsylvania Act Still require
District Court review during which both
plaintiffs ana defendants may engage actively
in trial litigation by offering additional
evidence and legal arguments. The Common -
wealth of Pennsylvania has not appealed
certain issues but reserved them for further
(ltigation before the Distict Court. (E.g,
93205(a)(2) of the Pennsylvania Act.) Since
the Circuit Court of Appeal's Order, plain-
— 2
ea wy
tiffs have renewed their motion before the
District Courc for a preliminary injunction
of additional provisions of the Pennsylvania
.
Act. A full evidentiary hearing has been
held and a final hearing on the merits should
be scheduied shortly. The District Court
decision on these and other matters undoubt-
edly will be appealed to the Circuit Court of
Appeals and, probably, to this Court, as
well.
The complicated and fragmented proced-
ural posture of the case, argues in persua-
Sive decibels, that the interlocutory order
of the Circuit Court of Appeals clearly lacks
the degree or finality required for the
exercise by this Court of mandatory appellate
jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §1254(2) (here-
after §1254(2)).
This Court consistently has required
that appeals can be taxen only from final
judgments of the Circuit Court of Appeals to
the United States Supreme Court.
= =
Ss EE AE A iy
Pt nee
te ee eee
Under the Act of February 13,
1925 [the Amended Judicial Code of
1925], $240(b) [the predecessor to
$1254(2)] appeals to this Court
from Circuit Court of Appeals lie
only from final judgments or
qgecrees in cases where the validity
of a state statute is drawn in
question on the ground of repug-
hance to the Constitution, trea-
ties, or laws of the United States,
and the decision is against its
validity. (citations omitted)
Slaker v. O'Conner, 278 U.S. 188, 189-190
(1929). This finality requlrement was read
directly into §1254(2) in South Carolina
Electric and Gas Co. v. Flemming, 351 U.S.
901 (1956) (per curiam). Neither case has
| been overruled and clearly are controlling
precedent here. >
3/Neither New Orleans v. Dukes, 427 U.S.
297 (1976), Doran v. Salem Inn, Inc., 422
| U.S. 922 (1975), El Paso v. Simmons, 379 U.S.
497 (1964) (per curiam) nor Chicago v.
Atchison, T. & S.F.R. Co., 357 U.S. 77
(1958), reached the merits of the issue pres-
ently before the court. In any event, all
four cases are factually dis<inguishable.
It is neither surprising nor confusing
| that §240(b) of the amended Judicial Code of
1925 and 28 U.S.C. §1254(2) contain no
explicit finality language. The final judge-
ment requirement within the federal court
system finds its historical roots in the
practice of the common law in the courts of
England#
and in the first Judiciary Act of
1789, 1 Stat. 73, c. 20 §22. Finality has
been deemed a longstanding rule of procedural
practice imolicit in all prior acts of
Congress, equally silent in their terms on
this matter, related to United States Supreme
Court appel.iate jurisdiction. See generally,
crick, The Final Judgement as a Basis for
Appeal, 41 Yale L.J. 539 (1932). When the
‘/B og. Metcalfe's Case, 77 Eng. Rep. 1193
‘K.B. 1615); U.S. v. Girault, 52 U.S. 22
(1850); Holcombe v. McKusick, 61 U.S. 552
(1857).
Circuit Courts of Appeal were Created by the
Evarts Act of March 3, 1891, 26 Stat. 826,
this Court reaffirmed in clear and unmistak-
able terms the applicability of the final
judgement requirement for access to the
United States Supreme Court by appeal.
From the very foundation of our
judicial system the object and
policy of the acts of Congress in
relation to appeals and writs of
error,... have been to save the
expense and delays of repeated
appeals in the same suit, and to
have the whole case and every
matter in controversy in it decided
in a single appeai. Forgay v.
Conrad, 6 How. 201, 204. The
Construction [of non-finality]
contended for would render the act
under consideration inconsistent
with this long established object
and policy. More than this, it
would defeat the very object for
which that act was passed. ...
- « «(T]he distribution of the
entire appellate jurisdiction of
our national judicial system,
between the Supreme Court of the
United States and the Circuit Court
of Appeals, ... by designating
the classes of cases in respect of
which each of those two courts
Shall respectively have final
jurisdiction. . . . [T)here is, we
think, no provision in the act:
which can be construed into so
radical a change in all the exist-
ing statutes and settled rules of
practice and procedure of Federal
courts as to extena the jurisdic-
tion of the Supreme Court to the
review of jurisdictional cases in
advance of the final judgments upon
them.
But there is an additional reason
why the omission of the word final
- + « Should not be held to imply
that the purpose of the act is to
extena the right of appeal to any
question of jurisdiction, in
aavance of the final judgment, at
any time it may arise in the
Progress of the cause in the court
below. Such implication, if
tenable, cannot be restricted to
: questions of jurisdiction alone.
It applies equally to cases that
involve the construction or appli-
cation or the Constitution of the
United States; and to cases in
which the constitutionality of any
law of the United States, or the
validity or construction of any
treaty made under its authority, is
drawn in question; and to those in
which the constitution or law of a
State is claimed to be in contra-
vention of the Constitution of the
United States. Under such a con-
struction all these most important
classes of cases could be directly
. taken py writ of error or appeal,
--+ to this court, independently of
any final judgment upon them. The
~— 2
i
eftect of such a construction,
it sanctioned, woula subject this
court to the needless delays and
labor of several successive appeals
in the same case, which, ... by
awaiting the final judgment, could
be promptly decided in one appeal.
McLish v. Roff, 141 U.S.661,665-667 (1891).
$1254(2), as originally enacted as
$240(5), was an amendment to the Judge's Bill
or 1925 drafted by Justices deeply concerned
adouc tne U.S. Supreme Court's caseload.
John Simpson, Turning Over the Reins: The
Abolition of the Mandatory Appellate Juris-
diction of the Supreme Court, 6 Hastings
Const. L.Q. 297, 299 n.7 (Fall, 1978), James
*. Blumstein, The Supreme Court's Jurisdic-
tion —- Reform Proposals, Discretionary
Review, and Writ Dismissals, 26 Vand. L.
Rev. 895, 898-899 (1973); F. Prankfurter
and J. Landis, The Business of the Supreme
Court, 273-278 (Johnson Reprint Corp., N.Y.
1972). $240(b) was a Senate comoromise
measure designed to place circuit courts of
—: =
2 esaneneeeeeeenee
uf
appeal and state courts, pursuant to §237(a),
43 Stat. 937 (now 28 U.S.c. §i257(a)), in
"pectect parity, allowing a writ error from
the circuit court of appeals under conditions
exactly the same, except reversed, and allow-
ing a writ of certiorari in the one case as
in the other case, so that the two would be
entirely harmonious." Frankfurter and
Landis, supra. at 278 (citing Sen, Walsh,
66 Cong. Rec. 2923); see also Simpson,
supra. at 313. While §237(a), directed to
State courts. with varying appellate
practices, explicitly required finality,
$240(b) merely reflected codification of
historical federal court practice.»
*/ this comparison is not intended to imply.
any otner similarity of requirements under
tnese statutes,
The finality requirement, for some time,
nas served as one of a number of measures
aimed at relieving the burden of the Supreme
Court caseload by reducing the number of
cases requiring mandator:, appellate review.
Congressional policy has been to restrict the
mandatory appellate jurisdiction of the u.s.
Supreme Court. ® Tnis Court has recognized
6/ the Evarts Act, Act of March 3, 1891, 26
Stat. 826, established the federal Circuit
Courts or Appeal and U.S. Supreme Court’
certiorari authority over certain cases. The
ACt of September 6, 1916 Ch. 448, 39 Stat.
726, provided a right of appeal to the U.S.
Supreme Court from state court only where a
rederal statute, treaty, authority or right
waS struck down or a state statute upheld
against federal challenge. The Act of
Peoruary 13, 1925, Ch. 229, 43 Stat. 936,
the Judge's Bill of 1925, widely substituted
certiorari review for a Significant part of
U.S. Supreme Court mandatory appellate
jurisdiction. The Act of August 12, 1976, 90
stat. 1120, by repealing 28 U.S.C. §§ 2281,
2282 and 2403, abolished direct appeals to
the United States Supreme Court from most
three-judge district courts.
the Congressional policy. Gonzales v.
Automatic Employees Credit Union, 419 U.S.
90, 98 (1974), Flanagan v. United States,
U.S. , 104 S.ct. 1051, 1054 (1984) and
has followed it strictly when interpreting
statutes authorizing appeal, Perry Education
Association v. Perry Local Educator's Assoc-
lation, 460 U.S. 37, 43 (1983). In fact,
Congress, this Court, and numerous legal
commentators have all pressed for yet further
restrictions in the mandatory appellate jur-
isdiction of the Supreme Court, /
To ignore the lack of finality of the
Circuit Court of Appeals order before the
Court is lixely to produce negative conse-
guences beyond the scope of this case. The
recent repeal of the three-judge district
court statutes was designed to eliminate
direct appellate access to the United States
see, Simpson, suora. at 298-300, fns. 7-
13, for a detailed listing of authorities.
—
supreme Court in cases challenging the
Constitutionality of state Statutes (Simpson,
supra., at 299 fn. 7). Any diminution in the
finality requirement under $1254(2), much
lesS a wholesale abandonment of the require-
ment in this case, certainly would defeat the
purpose of the Congressional repeal. Most
cases previously heard by three-judge panels
woulda wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court
on mandatory appeal. Since many of these
cases often involve the grant or denial of
interlocutory relief pending the outcome of
final litigation, it is not inconceiveable
that many of these cases probably would come
before this Court more than once,
The appeal in this case also underscores
the fact that broader Systemic process inter-
Pests are served by the final judgement rule,
/By preventing piecemeal U.S. Supreme Court
review or discretionary interlocutory Orders,
aisruotion and delay of trial court func-
o £29
tions, as well as strain on the judicial
System and the parties is minimized,
Flanagan vy. *¥ U.S. , 104 S. Ct.
1051, 1054 (1984); Firestone Tire and Rubber
Co. v. Risjord, 449 U.s. 368 (1981). This
case is a textbook example of piecemeal
litigation and all its attendant problems.
Aspects of this case can be round at every
level of the federal judicial system, virtu-
ally insuring that additional issues in this
case will be appealed at Some future date to
this Court. The integrity of the federal
judicial system, as well as Congressional
intent to restrict mandatory appeals to the
U.S. Supreme Court are best Served by appli-
cation of the final judgement rule to dismiss
this appeal.
II. THE SUPERVENING ENACTMENT OF PENNSYL-
VANIA ORPHANS' COURT RULE 16 REQUIRES
VACATING, AS MOOT, THE APPEAL FROM THAT
PORTION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL'S
ORDER IN THORNBURGH ENJOINING THE
ENFORCEMENT OF §3206 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
ABORTION CONTROL ACT ON PARENTAL CONSENT
OR JUDICIAL APPROVAL FoR MINORS
The judicial power of the federal
courts is limited by the case or controversy
requirements of the United States Constitu-
tion, Article III §2 (hereafter Article III)
and related doctrines of justiciability, such
as mootness,.
DeFunis v. Odecaard, 416 U.S. 312, 316 (1974)
(citing Liner y. Jateo,-Inc., 375 U.S. 301,
306 fn. 3 (1964); United States Parole
Commission, et al. v. Geraghty, 445 U.S.
388, 395-96 (1980). The mootness doctrine
addresses circumstances destroying the justi-
Clability of a case otherwise previously
aporopriate for determination by a Court,
A case or controversy must remain alive
Caroughout every stage of appellate review.
Kremens v. Bartley, 431 U.s. 119, 128
(1977); Preiser y. Newkirk, 422 U.S. 395,
401-404 (1975). Such determinations of jus-
ticiabDllity require this Court to review
lower court orders on appeal in light of
presently existing law not chat in effect
wnen judgement was entered. Fusari vy.
steinberg, 419 U.S. 379, 388 (1975); Cort Vv.
Ash, 422 U.S. 66, 74-76 (1975); Diffenderfer
Vv. Central Baptist Church, 404 U.s. 412, 414
(1972); Hall v. Beals, 396 U.S. 45, 48
(1969); Unitea States y. Alabama, 396 U.S.
602, 604 (1960). a finding of mootness is
eppropriate when supervening legislation
specifically eliminates the Original basis
tor lower court action. Attwell v. Nichols,
608 F.2d 228, 230-231 (5th Cir. 1979), cert.
Genied 446 U.S. 955 (1980).
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals
eajoinea the enforcement of §3206 of the
—
|
:
Pennsylvania Act, Providing for parental
consent or judicial aporoval for unemanci-
pated Minors to obtain an abortion, only
until regulations were Promulgated containing
detailed provisions assuring confidentiality
ana gispatch. American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists, et ore 2
Thornburgh, et al., 737 P.2d 283, 296-297
(3rd Cir. 1984). On November 26, 1984, the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted new rules.
Effective immediately, New Pennsylvania
Orphans' Court Rule 16 (hereafter Rule 16)
provided, inter alia, for confidentiality and
dispatch of Proceedings under §3206. By its
own terms, the Circuit Court of Appeals
injunction §3206 then expired. As a conse-
guence, the basis for appellate review also
dlsappeared,
The constitutionality of Rule 16 should
not be considered by this Court at this time,
The Circuit Court of Appeals clearly stated:
« 2s
Although we do not invalidate
$3206, its operation shoula be
enjoined until the state oromul-
gates regulations, without preju-
aice to the right of these Or other
plaintiffs to attemsot to demon-
Strate in this action if stil]
pending, or in some future action,
that the regulations are unconsti-
tutional.
American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists et al., y. Thornburgh et al.,
737 F.2d 283, 297 (1984).
No lower court has Dassed on the
question of the constitutionality of Rule 16.
Tne Federal District Court is the appropriate
forum for initial review of and judgement on
this Rule. Significant Portions of this case
alreaay currently are pending before that
court on remand from the Circuit Court of
Appeals. District Court review, therefore,
wil
1 not unfairly or unreasonably delay final
judgement in this case. There presently is
no factual record addressing the provisions
or
the Rule. Nor has either side had a full
Coportunity to develop legal arguments. This
« £2
ase is before the Court on the parties’
District Court stipulation of uncontested
facts submitted on November 30, 1982. Even
tne Circuit Court of Appeals was not able to
review the substantive constitutionality of
the Rule by the time its May 31, 1984 order
waS entered, or when it denied rehearing June
28, 1984,
Rule 16 was not even promulgated until
November 26, 1984.
In addition, this Court recently has
provided authoritative guidance to District
Courts on the very issue of the constitution-
ality of parental consent Provisions. City
of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive
fealth, 462 U.S. 476 (1983, Planned Parent-
hood Association vy. Asncroft, 462 U.S. 467
1983). Application of these and other
supreme Court precedent is not merely a
matter of law.
(t)he Missouri statute uoheld in
Ashcrort establishing alternative
court proceedings for minor consent
contained detailed provisions
assuring confidentiality and
aispatch, establishing a clear and
Simple procedure for the minor to
follow in setting forth her peti-
tion, and Girecting court personnel
to assist the minor in preparing
the petition. Comparable provis-
ions are absent in the Pennsylvania
Statute. This difference is
Critical. To pass constitutional
muster, the alternative judicial
procedure must be an established
and practical avenue and may not
rely solely on generally stated
principles of availability, confi-
dentiality, and form.
American Coilege of Odstetricians and
Gynecologists et al. y. Thornburgh, et al.,
737 F.2d at 297.
The standard disposition in a federal
civil case that nas become moot pending
eppeal "is to reverse or vacate the judgement
Celow and remand with a direction to
clismiss." United States vy. Munsinawear, 340
U.S. 38, 39 and fn. 2 (1950). While that
part of the Circuit Court of Appeals order
enjoining §3206 should be found moot and
—)
vacated, circumstances Clearly warrant
further evidentiary consideration of the
constitutionality of Rule i¢ upon remand to
the District Court. See, in accord: United
Building and Construction V. Council of
Camden, U.S. , 104 S.ct. 1020, 1030
(1984); Hill vy. Printing Industries of Gulf
_-_
Coast, 422 U.S. 937, 938 (1975) (per curiam);
White v. Regester, 422 U.S. 935, 936 (1975)
(per curiam); Diffenderfer vy. Central Baptist
Church, 404 U.S. 412, 415 (1972).
IIIt. THE LACK OF AN ARTICLE III §2
LIVE CASE OR CONTROVERSY IN DIAMOND
REQUIRES THIS COURT TO DISMISS THE
APPEAL
ticle III §2 requires a live case or
controversy for the exercise of federal
judicial power,
a@ court will not decide a ques-
tion unless the nature of the
action challenged, the kind of
injury inflicted, and the relation-
Ship between the parties are such
» £6 «
that judicial determination is
consonant with what was, generally
Speaking, the business of the...
Courts... when the Constitution
was framed.
Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Comm. v. McGrath,
341 U.S. 123, 150 (concurring opinion)
(1951); see also, United Steelworkers of
America v. U.S., 361 U.S. 39, 60 (1959)
(Frankfurter, J., concurring).
Plaintiffs could never have sued
appellants, District Court inte enors, in
this case. Plaintiffs brought : 5s case
under 42 U.S.C. “§1983 (hereafter 1983)
challenging the constitutionality of the
Provisions of the Illinois Abortion Law of
1975 as amended, October 30, 1979, S.H.A.
fll. Ch. 38 §81-11 to §81-34 (Smith-Hurd
supp. 1982) (hereafter the Illi is Act).
some form of state action is a prerequisite
co asserting and maintaining jurisdiction
under $1983. Official actions of representa-
tives of a state, actions in concert with
- 26.
such representatives or actions under color
of state law are required. Lugar v. Edmonson
Qil Co., Inc., 457 U.S. 922, 928-930 (1982);
Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535 (1981).
Review of the apvellants' motion in support
or their petition to intervene reconfirms
that they sought to protect personal and
private “professional interest(s] in statu-
tory restrictions on abortion." (Motion to
Intervene and Petition for Appointment of
Guardian Ad Litem) (hereafter Motion to
Intervene). Appellants are not state
orticials nor have they acted in concert with
the state or under color of State law. In
fact, appellants have admitted this. They
have denied any liability for the amount of
attorney's fees awarded to Plaintiffs by the
District Court (Motion to Amend the Judgement
Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 59(E) at §10)
(hereafter Motion to Amend).
« M7 «
The Illinois Act in this Case is a
criminal statute. f[t Provides for criminal
prosecution and/or fines for violation of its
terms. S.H.A. Ill. ch. 38 §81-26 and §81-31.
Criminal statutes can not be enforced by
private citizens. Only the state, through
its official representatives, may enforce,
and by iuplication, defend a criminal
statute. Bordenkircher y. Hayes 434 U.S.
357, 365 (1978); U.S. v. Batchelder, 442
U.S. 113, 125 (1979) fhe State of Illinois
nas mot appealed the Circuit Court of Appeals
judgement to this Court. Nor has the State
of Illinois adopted the appellants' brief or
jurisdictional statement in this appeal. 8
This Court's decision in Princeton Univer-
8/ see letter dated July 15, 1985 from
Michael J. Hayes, Director of Advocacy, State
cr Illinois Attorney General to Mr. Alexander
stevas, United States Supreme Court Clerk of
the Court. The State of Illinois has failed
fo comply with Suoreme Court Rules 10.1-16.4,
10.6 and 34.1 or otherwise conduct itself
like a party.
- 28.
Sity v. Schmid, 455 U.S. 100 (1982) is
dispositive of the Present case. The Court
dismissed an appeal by Princeton University
of a New Jersey Supreme Court reversal of a
criminal trespass conviction. Schmid, a4 non-
student defendant, was convicted of trespass
for violating Princeton University regula-
tions on University Property. The University
WaS asked to intervene before the New Jersey
Supreme Court which then Overruled the
conviction on First Amendment grounds. The
University filed a notice of appeal anda
jurisdictional statement. The State of New
Jersey joined in the University statement but
did not file Separately. It filed a brief
asking this Court to decide the case but
aeclined to take a position on the merits.
The Court concluded that:
Had the University not been a
party to this case in the New
Jersey Supreme Court and had the
State filed a jurisdictional state-
ment urging reversal, the existence
of a case or controversy--and the
» £0 «
jurisdiction in this Court--
could not be doubted. However, if
the State were the sole appellant
and its jurisdictional statement
Simply asked for review and
declined to take a position on the
merits, we would have dismissed the
appeal for want of a case or
controversy. We do not sit to
decide hypothetical issues or to
give advisory opinions about issues
as to which there are not adverse
parties before us. See e.g.,
Sierra Club v. Morton, 495 U.S.
727, 731-732, 92 S.Ct. 1361, 1364-
1365, 31 L.Ed.2d 636 (1972); Flast
Vv. Cohen, 392 U.S. 83, 99, 88 §.ct.
1942, 1952, 20 L.&d.2d 947 (1968).
Thus the presence of the State of
New Jersey in this case does not
provide a sound jurisdictional
Oasis for undertaking to decide
difficult constitutional issues.
Princeton University v. Schmid, 455 U.S. 100,
162 (1982)
see, in accord, City of Chicago v. Rapid
| Transit Co., 284 U.S. $77, 578 (1931).
In this case the State of Illinois has
not even engaged in the minimal level of
appellate participation previously found
insurficient to invoke this Court's
appellate jurisdiction.
- 2.
Appellants, as private parties, lack the
standing necessary to maintain this case,
The District Court determination that inter-
vention was appropriate is not conclusive,
Standing requirements control whether a
litigant is the appropriate party for advanc-
ing a particular legal claim. Warth v.
Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 500 (1975); Valley
Forge Christian College v. Americans United
for Separation = Church and State, 454 U.S.
464, 484 (1982); Plast v. Cohen, 392 U.S.
83, 99 (1968). Even if intervention once was
appropriate, the constitutional inguiry into
the propriety of a party's standing is a
jurisdictional issue that may be raised at
any time, even on appeal, or by this Court
sua sponte. Recents of University of
California vy. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265, 281 £n.
14 (1978); Village of Arlington Heights y.
“Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., 429
U.S. 252, 260 (1977).
=
The constitutional dimension of
Standing theory, requires, at the
very least, that there be an actual
injury redressable by the Court.
Director, Office of Worker's Comvensation
Programs v. Perini North River Assccs.,
U.S. ___, 103 S.Ct. 634, 640 (1983).
Appellants have no legally cognizable
interest in the Illinois Act that should
permit them to maintain this appeal. They
have not demonstrated any concrete or direct
injury from the continued enforcement of the
Circuit Court of Appeals injunction of the
Illinois Act. At best, appellants' personal
and professional convictions may be offended.
Similarly, enforcement of the Illinois Act
can give appellants only personal gratifica-
tion. Appellants Simply do not have inter-
ests in this case Significantly distinct from
those they share in common with other
citizens in the State of Illinois who may
want to see the Illinois Act enforced.
Appellants could not have sued the State
= 32 .
or Illinois to compel enforcement of the Act.
Private citizens who have no more than an
aostract or intellectual interest in the
enforcement or nonenforcement of state
Statutes consistently have been denied
Standing to sue. Valley Forge Christian
College v. Americans United for Separation
of Church and State, 454 U.S. 464, 484(1982);
Simon v. Eastern Kentucky Welfare Organiza-
tion, 426 U.S. 26, 40 (1976); Linda R.S. vy.
Richard D. et al., 410 U.S. 614, 617 (1976);
Allen v. Wright, _ U.S. _- 104 S.Ct.
3315, 3325 (1984).
Similarly, criminal defendants regularly
nave been denied standing to invoke the
Unitea States Constitution Fourth Amendment
rights of a third Darty. United States y.
Paymer, 447 U.S. 727, 731 (1980); Rawlings
v. Kentucky, 448 U.S. 98, 104 (1980); Rakas
vy. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128, 141 (1978);
Zurcher v. Stanford Daily, 436 U.S. 347, $383
ae
(1978); Brown, et al. v. United States, 41]
U.S. 223, 227 (1973).
Recent events merely underscore the
inadequacy of appellants' legal interest in
maintaining this case before the Court. On
April 22, 1985, the District Court held
appellants jointly and Séeverally liable to
plaintiffs for over $100,000.00 in attorney's
fees. Appellants responded by filing a
Motion to Amend the Judgement to dismiss the
present appellants and name Americans United
for Life, Inc. (hereafter AUL) as the sole
intervening defendant. In the alternative,
they want the court to Clarify the original
intervention order by Stating "that AUL is an
intervening defendant for all purposes,
including the assessment of attorney's fees,"
(Motion to Amend at §7). This motion to
amend or clarify was based on the discrepency
cetween the original Petition to Intervene in
which appellants were named and the District
« 2
Court Order to Intervene in which AUL alone
was mamed as intervenor. The Motion acknow-
ledges that the present aopellants were
solicited by AUL to intervene in this case,
but "AUL is the real party in interest."
(Motion to Amend at §9). In addition, on
June 28, 1985, counsel moved, pursuant to
FRCP 25(a) to substitute AUL for apoellant,
Dr. Jasper Williams, who died in a recent
plane crash. This motion Presently is under
consideration by the District Court. There
is little lixelihood that the Court will
grant either of these motions. In a case
challenging the recent additional amendments
to the Illinois Act, the Seventh Circuit
court of Appeals affirmed a denial of both
mandatory and permissive intervention to an
organization similar to the AUL.
In summary, then, IPC has pre-
sented no direct and substantial
interest that can be secured by its
Participation in this lawsuit.
Neither its interests as lobbyist,
guardian of fetal rights, nor
—
potential adoptive parents of
adoptea fetus "born alive," either
Separately or together, Support its
right to intervene in this lawsuit.
The district court's finding that
Ipc failed to establish e Signifi-
cant, legally protectable interest,
is, therefore, atfirmed,.
Keith v. Daley and Illinois Pro-Life
Coalition, No. 84-2860, Slip op. at ll (7th
Circuit Court of Appeals, June 18, 1985).
The consequences of recognizing the
appellants in this case extend beyond the
ofvious distortion of several Goctrines of
justiciability. This Court recently has
attempted to clarify the Parameters of the
State action doctrine. lum v. Yaretsky,
457 U.S. 99] (1982); Lugar v. Edmonson Cil
Co., Inc., 457 U.S. 922 (1982); Brooks v.
Plaga Brothers., Inc., 436 U.S. 149 (1978);
Jackson v. Metropolitan Edison, 419 U.S. 345
(1974). These events would be stymied by a
decision to review this case On appeal.
CONCLUSION
The Court must not let the urgent and
pressing nature of the issues Presented in
these cases comoromise the appellate process.
Access to appellate review by this Court is a
venerable and precious, but all too fragile,
right. We urge the Court to recognize that
there is an approprite time and place for
every case to be heard. In the present
cases, however, it is neither the time, nor,
this Court, the place for decision. We urge
the Court to dismiss the appeals in both
cases for lack of jurisdiction.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Carty-Bennia*
Northeastern University
School of Law
400 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Arthur Kinoy
Rutgers, The State University
of New Jersey, S.I. Newhouse
Center for Law & Justice
15 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Counsel for Amici Curae
» BP-«
*Counsel wish to express their appreciation
for the invaluable assistance of the
following in the Preparation of this brief:
Laura Gallant, Wanda Moore, LaVerne Miller
and Vesper Gibbs, students at Northeastern
University School of Law; Jeffrey Beard, a
1985 graduate of Northeastern University
School of Law; and Robert Boozer, founder and
President, Axis, Inc.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.