ingraham wright argued decided april petitioners pupils dade county junior high school filed action federal district pursuant damages injunctive declaratory relief respondent school officials alleging petitioners students subjected disciplinary corporal punishment violation constitutional rights florida statute effect authorized corporal punishment teacher consulted principal teacher charge school specifying punishment degrading unduly severe school board regulation contained specific directions limitations authorizing punishment administered recalcitrant student buttocks wooden paddle evidence showed paddling petitioners exceptionally harsh district granted respondents motion dismiss complaint finding basis constitutional relief appeals affirmed held cruel unusual punishments clause eighth amendment apply disciplinary corporal punishment public schools pp history eighth amendment decisions make clear prohibition cruel unusual punishment designed protect convicted crime pp need wrench eighth amendment historical context extend public school disciplinary practices openness public school supervision community afford significant safeguards kinds abuses amendment protects convicted criminals safeguards reinforced legal constraints common law whereby punishment going beyond reasonably necessary proper education discipline child may result civil criminal liability pp due process clause fourteenth amendment require notice hearing prior imposition corporal punishment practice authorized limited common law pp liberty within meaning fourteenth amendment implicated public school authorities acting color state law deliberately punish child misconduct restraint infliction appreciable physical pain freedom bodily restraint punishment within liberty interest personal security historically protected state deprivation without due process law pp longstanding accommodation child interest personal security traditional privilege deprivation substantive rights long corporal punishment remains within limits privilege child nonetheless strong interest procedural safeguards minimize risk wrongful punishment provide resolution disputed questions justification pp florida scheme considered light openness school environment affords significant protection unjustified corporal punishment schoolchildren teacher principal must exercise prudence restraint decide corporal punishment necessary disciplinary purposes punishment later found excessive may held liable damages subject criminal penalties state thus preserved always law land barnett case administrative safeguards significantly less compelling otherwise pp imposing additional administrative safeguards constitutional requirement significantly intrude area educational responsibility lies primarily public school authorities prior procedural safeguards require diversion educational resources school authorities may abandon corporal punishment disciplinary measure rather incur burdens complying procedural requirements incremental benefit invoking constitution impose prior notice hearing justify costs pp powell delivered opinion burger stewart blackmun rehnquist joined white filed dissenting opinion brennan marshall stevens joined post stevens filed dissenting opinion post bruce rogow argued cause petitioners briefs howard dixon peter siegel frank howard argued cause filed brief respondents michael nussbaum lucien hilmer ronald precup david rubin filed brief national education assn amicus curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed leon fieldman national school boards assn tobias simon elizabeth du fresne teachers dade local aft gertrude bacon filed brief american psychological association task force rights children youths amicus curiae justice powell delivered opinion case presents questions concerning use corporal punishment public schools first whether paddling students means maintaining school discipline constitutes cruel unusual punishment violation eighth amendment second extent paddling constitutionally permissible whether due process clause fourteenth amendment requires prior notice opportunity heard petitioners james ingraham roosevelt andrews filed complaint case january district southern district florida time enrolled charles drew junior high school dade county ingraham eighth grade andrews ninth complaint contained three counts alleging separate cause action deprivation constitutional rights counts one two individual actions damages ingraham andrews based paddling incidents allegedly occurred october drew junior high school count three class action declaratory injunctive relief filed behalf students dade county schools named defendants counts respondents willie wright principal drew junior high school lemmie deliford assistant principal solomon barnes assistant principal edward whigham superintendent dade county school system petitioners presented evidence trial district close petitioners case respondents moved dismissal count three ground upon facts law plaintiff shown right relief fed rule civ proc ruling evidence insufficient go jury counts one two district granted motion three counts dismissed complaint without hearing evidence behalf school authorities app petitioners evidence may summarized briefly school year many schools dade county used corporal punishment means maintaining discipline pursuant florida legislation local school board regulation statute effect authorized limited corporal punishment negative inference proscribing punishment degrading unduly severe inflicted without prior consultation principal teacher charge school stat ann regulation dade county school board policy contained explicit directions limitations authorized punishment consisted paddling recalcitrant student buttocks flat wooden paddle measuring less two feet long three four inches wide inch thick normal punishment limited one five licks blows paddle resulted apparent physical injury student school authorities viewed corporal punishment less drastic means discipline suspension expulsion contrary procedural requirements statute regulation teachers often paddled students authority without first consulting principal petitioners focused drew junior high school school ingraham andrews enrolled fall apparent reference drew district found instances punishment characterized severe accepting students testimony credible took place one junior high school app evidence consisting mainly testimony students suggests regime drew exceptionally harsh testimony ingraham andrews support individual claims damages illustrative slow respond teacher instructions ingraham subjected licks paddle held table principal office paddling severe suffered hematoma requiring medical attention keeping school several days andrews paddled several times minor infractions two occasions struck arms depriving full use arm week district made findings credibility students testimony rather assuming testimony credible found constitutional basis relief respect count three class action concluded punishment authorized practiced generally county schools violated constitutional right respect counts one two individual damages actions concluded corporal punishment cases violate eighth amendment case jury lawfully find elements severity arbitrary infliction unacceptability terms contemporary standards gross disproportion necessary bring punishment constitutional level cruel unusual punishment panel appeals voted reverse panel concluded punishment severe oppressive violate eighth fourteenth amendments procedures outlined policy failed satisfy requirements due process clause upon rehearing en banc rejected conclusions affirmed judgment district full held due process clause require notice opportunity heard essence refuse set forth constitutionally mandated procedural standards activity substantial enough constitutional level justify time effort expended school adhering procedures justify interference federal courts internal affairs public schools think misuse judicial power determine example whether teacher acted arbitrarily paddling particular child certain behavior whether particular instance misconduct five licks appropriate punishment ten licks ibid ii addressing scope eighth amendment prohibition cruel unusual punishment found useful refer raditional concepts powell texas plurality opinion attitude society traditionally taken defining requirements procedural due process fifth fourteenth amendments attuned always law land barnett traditional ideas fair procedure greene mcelroy therefore begin examining way traditions laws responded use corporal punishment public schools use corporal punishment country means disciplining schoolchildren dates back colonial period survived transformation primary secondary education colonials reliance optional private arrangements present system compulsory education dependence public schools despite general abandonment corporal punishment means punishing criminal offenders practice continues play role public education schoolchildren parts country professional public opinion sharply divided practice century yet discern trend toward elimination common law single principle governed use corporal punishment since american revolution teachers may impose reasonable excessive force discipline child blackstone catalogued among absolute rights individuals right security corporal insults menaces assaults beating wounding blackstone commentaries regard corporal insult teacher inflict moderate correction child care extent force necessary answer purposes teacher employed blackstone viewed justifiable lawful basic doctrine changed prevalent rule country today privileges force teacher administrator reasonably believes necessary child proper control training education restatement second torts see extent force excessive unreasonable educator virtually subject possible civil criminal liability although early cases viewed authority teacher deriving parents concept parental delegation replaced view consonant compulsory education laws state may impose corporal punishment reasonably necessary proper education child maintenance group discipline harper james law torts circumstances taken account determining whether punishment reasonable particular case among important considerations seriousness offense attitude past behavior child nature severity punishment age strength child availability less severe equally effective means discipline restatement second torts comments addressed problem legislation authorized moderate use corporal punishment public schools elaborated test reasonableness typically providing approval notification child parents infliction punishment principal presence adult witness two massachusetts new jersey prohibited corporal punishment public schools legislatures acted state courts uniformly preserved rule permitting teachers use reasonable force disciplining children charge background historical contemporary approval reasonable corporal punishment turn constitutional questions us iii eighth amendment provides excessive bail shall required excessive fines imposed cruel unusual punishments inflicted bail fines punishment traditionally associated criminal process subjecting three parallel limitations text amendment suggests intention limit power entrusted function government examination history amendment decisions construing proscription cruel unusual punishment confirms designed protect convicted crimes adhere limitation hold eighth amendment apply paddling children means maintaining discipline public schools history eighth amendment well known text taken almost verbatim provision virginia declaration rights turn derived english bill rights english version adopted accession william mary intended curb excesses english judges reign james ii historians viewed english provision reaction either bloody assize treason trials conducted chief justice jeffreys abortive rebellion duke monmouth perjury prosecution titus oates year either case exclusive concern english version conduct judges enforcing criminal law original draft introduced house commons provided requiring excessive bail persons committed criminal cases imposing excessive fines illegal punishments prevented americans adopted language part english bill rights framing state federal constitutions years later feared imposition torture cruel punishments judges acting beyond lawful authority also legislatures engaged making laws judicial authority measured weems indeed principal concern american framers appears legislative definition crimes punishments kemmler furman georgia brennan concurring american provision intended restrain government broadly english model subject intended apply criminal process time ratification original constitution criticized massachusetts virginia conventions failure provide protection persons convicted crimes criticism provided impetus inclusion eighth amendment bill rights eighth amendment debated first congress met objection cruel unusual punishments clause might effect outlawing common criminal punishments hanging whipping earcropping annals cong objection heeded precisely legislature otherwise unfettered power prescribe punishments crimes furman georgia supra light history surprising find every decision considering whether punishment cruel unusual within meaning eighth fourteenth amendments dealt criminal punishment see estelle gamble incarceration without medical care gregg georgia execution murder furman georgia supra execution murder powell texas plurality opinion fine public drunkenness robinson california incarceration criminal addiction narcotics trop dulles plurality opinion expatriation desertion louisiana ex rel francis resweber execution electrocution failed first attempt weems supra years imprisonment penalties falsifying official document howard fleming years imprisonment conspiracy defraud kemmler supra execution electrocution wilkerson utah execution firing squad pervear commonwealth wall fine imprisonment hard labor bootlegging decisions recognize cruel unusual punishments clause circumscribes criminal process three ways first limits kinds punishment imposed convicted crimes estelle gamble supra trop dulles supra second proscribes punishment grossly disproportionate severity crime weems supra third imposes substantive limits made criminal punished robinson california supra recognized last limitation one applied sparingly primary purpose cruel unusual punishments clause always considered properly directed method kind punishment imposed violation criminal statutes powell texas supra plurality opinion cases occasion confront claims impositions outside criminal process constituted cruel unusual punishment difficulty finding eighth amendment inapplicable thus fong yue ting held eighth amendment inapplicable deportation aliens ground deportation punishment crime see mahler eby bugajewitz adams uphaus wyman sustained judgment civil contempt resulting incarceration pending compliance subpoena claim judgment imposed cruel unusual punishment emphasized case involved essentially civil remedy designed benefit parties exercised centuries secure compliance judicial decrees quoting green dissenting opinion petitioners acknowledge original design cruel unusual punishments clause limit criminal punishments urge nonetheless prohibition extended ban paddling schoolchildren observing framers eighth amendment envisioned present system public compulsory education opportunities noncriminal punishments petitioners contend extension prohibition cruel punishments necessary lest afford greater protection criminals schoolchildren anomalous say schoolchildren beaten without constitutional redress hardened criminals suffering beatings hands jailers might valid claim eighth amendment see jackson bishop cf estelle gamble supra whatever force logic may settings find inadequate basis wrenching eighth amendment historical context extending traditional disciplinary practices public schools prisoner schoolchild stand wholly different circumstances separated harsh facts criminal conviction incarceration prisoner conviction entitles state classify criminal incarceration deprives freedom family friends form enduring attachments normal life morrissey brewer see meachum fano prison brutality appeals observed case part total punishment individual subjected crime proper subject eighth amendment scrutiny even protection afforded eighth amendment limited incarceration unnecessary wanton infliction pain estelle gamble quoting gregg georgia constitutes cruel unusual punishment forbidden eighth amendment schoolchild little need protection eighth amendment though attendance may always voluntary public school remains open institution except perhaps young child physically restrained leaving school school hours end school day child invariably free return home even school child brings support family friends rarely apart teachers pupils may witness protest instances mistreatment openness public school supervision community afford significant safeguards kinds abuses eighth amendment protects prisoner virtually every community corporal punishment permitted schools safeguards reinforced legal constraints common law public school teachers administrators privileged common law inflict corporal punishment reasonably necessary proper education discipline child punishment going beyond privilege may result civil criminal liability see part ii supra long schools open public scrutiny reason believe constraints effectively remedy deter excesses alleged case conclude public school teachers administrators impose disciplinary corporal punishment eighth amendment inapplicable pertinent constitutional question whether imposition consonant requirements due process iv fourteenth amendment prohibits state deprivation life liberty property without due process law application prohibition requires familiar analysis must first ask whether asserted individual interest encompassed within fourteenth amendment protection life liberty property protected interests implicated must decide procedures constitute due process law morrissey brewer board regents roth see friendly kind hearing rev following analysis find corporal punishment public schools implicates constitutionally protected liberty interest hold traditional remedies fully adequate afford due process range interests protected procedural due process infinite board regents roth supra repeatedly rejected notion grievous loss visited upon person state sufficient invoke procedural protections due process clause meachum fano due process required decision state implicates interest within protection fourteenth amendment determine whether due process requirements apply first place must look weight nature interest stake roth supra contours historic liberty interest context federal system government defined precisely always thought encompass freedom bodily restraint punishment see rochin california fundamental state hold physically punish individual except accordance due process law constitutionally protected liberty interest stake case course de minimis level imposition constitution concerned least school authorities acting color state law deliberately decide punish child misconduct restraining child inflicting appreciable physical pain hold fourteenth amendment liberty interests implicated question remains process due morrissey brewer supra privilege permitting teachers inflict reasonable corporal punishment children care availability traditional remedies abuse case requiring advance procedural safeguards strong indeed deal punishment paddling within tradition question whether remedies adequate afford due process ue process unlike legal rules technical conception fixed content unrelated time place circumstances representing profound attitude fairness due process compounded history reason past course decisions stout confidence strength democratic faith profess comm mcgrath frankfurter concurring rooted history child liberty interest avoiding corporal punishment care public school authorities subject historical limitations common law invasion personal security gave rise right recover damages subsequent judicial proceeding blackstone commentaries right recovery qualified concept justification thus recovery teacher gave moderate correction child extent force used reasonable light purpose wrongful rather justifiable lawful ibid concept reasonable corporal punishment school justifiable continues recognized laws see part ii supra represents balance struck country poe ullman harlan dissenting child interest personal security traditional view limited corporal punishment may necessary course child education longstanding accommodation interests deprivation substantive rights long disciplinary corporal punishment within limits privilege say child interest procedural safeguards insubstantial school disciplinary process totally accurate unerring process never mistaken never unfair goss lopez deliberate infliction corporal punishment child restrained purpose risk intrusion child liberty unjustified therefore unlawful circumstances child strong interest procedural safeguards minimize risk wrongful punishment provide resolution disputed questions justification turn consideration safeguards available applicable florida law florida continued recognize indeed strengthened statute right child subjected excessive corporal punishment school florida law teacher principal school decide first instance whether corporal punishment reasonably necessary circumstances order discipline child misbehaved must exercise prudence restraint florida preserved traditional judicial proceedings determining whether punishment justified punishment inflicted later found excessive reasonably believed time necessary child discipline training school authorities inflicting may held liable damages child malice shown may subject criminal penalties although students testified case specific instances abuse every reason believe mistreatment aberration uncontradicted evidence suggests corporal punishment dade county schools ith exception cases unremarkable physical severity app moreover paddlings usually inflicted response conduct directly observed teachers presence risk child paddled without cause typically insignificant ordinary case disciplinary paddling neither threatens seriously violate substantive rights condemns child suffer grievous loss kind comm mcgrath frankfurter concurring cases severe punishment contemplated available civil criminal sanctions abuse considered light openness school environment afford significant protection unjustified corporal punishment see supra teachers school authorities unlikely inflict corporal punishment unnecessarily excessively possible consequence institution civil criminal proceedings still may argued course child liberty interest better protected remedies supplemented administrative safeguards prior notice hearing found frequently kind prior hearing necessary guard arbitrary impositions interests protected fourteenth amendment see board regents roth wolff mcdonnell cf friendly state preserved always law land barnett case administrative safeguards significantly less compelling relevant analogy criminal law although fourth amendment specifically proscribes seizure person without probable cause risk police act unreasonably arresting suspect thought require advance determination facts watson reaffirmed traditional rule police officers may make warrantless public arrests probable cause although observed advance determination probable cause magistrate desirable declined transform judicial preference constitutional rule judgment nation congress long authorize warrantless public arrests probable cause see powell concurring despite distinct possibility police officer may improperly assess facts thus unconstitutionally deprive individual liberty declined depart traditional rule officer perception subjected judicial scrutiny fact reason depart tradition require advance procedural safeguards intrusions personal security fourth amendment apply even need advance procedural safeguards clear question remain whether incremental benefit justify cost acceptance petitioners claims work transformation law governing corporal punishment florida given impracticability formulating rule procedural due process varies severity particular imposition prior hearing petitioners seek precede paddling however moderate trivial universal constitutional requirement significantly burden use corporal punishment disciplinary measure hearings even informal hearings require time personnel diversion attention normal school pursuits school authorities may well choose abandon corporal punishment rather incur burdens complying procedural requirements teachers properly concerned maintaining authority classroom may well prefer rely disciplinary measures may view less effective rather confront possible disruption prior notice hearing may entail paradoxically alteration disciplinary policy likely occur ordinary case contemplated punishment well within privilege elimination curtailment corporal punishment welcomed many societal advance policy choice may result determination asserted right due process rather normal processes community debate legislative action societal costs dismissed insubstantial reviewing legislative judgment rooted history reaffirmed laws many corporal punishment serves important educational interests judgment must viewed light disciplinary problems schools noted goss lopez events calling discipline frequent occurrences sometimes require immediate effective action assessment need appropriate means maintaining school discipline committed generally discretion school authorities subject state law repeatedly emphasized need affirming comprehensive authority school officials consistent fundamental constitutional safeguards prescribe control conduct schools tinker des moines school point benefit additional safeguard individual affected society terms increased assurance action may outweighed cost mathews eldridge think point reached case view low incidence abuse openness schools safeguards already exist risk error may result violation schoolchild substantive rights regarded minimal imposing additional administrative safeguards constitutional requirement might reduce risk marginally also entail significant intrusion area primary educational responsibility conclude due process clause require notice hearing prior imposition corporal punishment public schools practice authorized limited common law petitioners prevail either theories us case eighth amendment prohibition cruel unusual punishment inapplicable school paddlings fourteenth amendment requirement procedural due process satisfied florida preservation constraints remedies therefore agree appeals petitioners evidence affords basis injunctive relief petitioners recover damages basis eighth amendment procedural due process violation affirmed footnotes district certified class fed rules civ proc follows students dade county school system subject corporal punishment policies issued defendant dade county school board app one student specifically excepted class request complaint also named dade county school board defendant appeals held board amenable suit dismissed suit board want jurisdiction aspect appeals judgment us petitioners waived right jury trial claims damages counts one two respondents district proceeded initially hear evidence count three claim injunctive relief close petitioners case however parties agreed evidence offered count three together certain stipulated testimony considered purposes motion directed verdict also offered counts one two understood respondents reassert right jury trial motion denied app evidence show many schools actually employed corporal punishment means maintaining discipline authorization practice school board extended schools school year least schools administer corporal punishment matter school policy school year provided teacher member staff school shall assume authority control pupils may assigned principal shall keep good order classroom places assigned charge pupils shall inflict corporal punishment consulting principal teacher charge school case shall punishment degrading unduly severe nature effective july florida legislature amended law governing corporal punishment section reads subject law rules district school board teacher member staff school shall authority control discipline students may assigned principal designated representative shall keep good order classroom places assigned charge students teacher feels corporal punishment necessary least following procedures shall followed use corporal punishment shall approved principle principal used approval necessary specific instance used teacher principal may administer corporal punishment presence another adult informed beforehand student presence reason punishment teacher principal administered punishment shall upon request provide pupil parent guardian written explanation reason punishment name adult present stat ann codifier notation omitted corporal punishment defined moderate use physical force physical contact teacher principal may necessary maintain discipline enforce school rules local school boards expressly authorized adopt rules governing student conduct discipline directed make available codes student conduct teachers principals given immunity civil criminal liability enforcing disciplinary rules xcept case excessive force cruel unusual punishment school year policy authorized corporal punishment failure means seeking cooperation student made use necessary regulation specified principal determine necessity corporal punishment student understand seriousness offense reason punishment punishment administered presence another adult circumstances calculated hold student shame ridicule regulation cautioned using corporal punishment student psychological medical treatment warned person administering punishment must realize personal liabilities case physical injury app litigation pending district dade county school board amended policy standardize size paddles used accordance description text proscribe striking child paddle elsewhere buttocks limit permissible number licks five elementary intermediate grades seven junior senior grades require contemporaneous explanation need punishment student subsequent notification parents app original panel opinion vacated rehearing app exhibits stedman medical dictionary ed defines hematoma localized mass extravasated blood relatively completely confined within organ tissue blood usually clotted partly clotted depending long may manifest various degrees organization decolorization app similar experiences several students drew individually testified district summarized original panel opinion appeals denied review third question presented petition certiorari infliction severe corporal punishment upon public school students arbitrary capricious unrelated achieving legitimate educational purpose therefore violative due process clause fourteenth amendment pet cert see falk corporal punishment edwards richey school american social order public compulsory education existed new england revolution see demand free public schools know gain momentum country whole compulsory school attendance laws force see brown board education citing cubberley public education ed cf wisconsin yoder see jackson bishop falk supra see larson karpas effective secondary school discipline reitman follman ladd corporal punishment public schools aclu report samplings scholarly opinion use corporal punishment schools see reardon reynolds corporal punishment pennsylvania national education association report task force corporal punishment james corporal punishment public schools opinion surveys taken since consistently shown majority teachers general public favoring moderate use corporal punishment lower grades see reardon reynolds supra delaware department public instruction report corporal punishment survey reitman follman ladd supra national education association supra see falk supra cf cooper mcjunkin ind see harper james law torts pp proehl tort liability teachers vand rev prosser law torts ed see cases cited infra criminal codes many include provisions explicitly recognizing teacher privilege inflict reasonable corporal punishment rev stat ann stat neb rev stat penal law mckinney supp rev stat see proehl supra today corporal punishment school conditioned parental approval california cal educ code west supp cf morrow wood held summary affirmance parental approval corporal punishment constitutionally required baker owen supp mdnc cal educ code west supp del code tit supp stat ann code ann haw rev stat supp spec pamphlet ann supp ind code ann md ann code art specified counties comp laws mont rev codes ann rev stat stat ohio rev code ann stat tit stat tit supp code compiled laws ann stat tit supp code ann code wyo stat supp cal educ code west supp requiring prior parental approval writing stat ann requiring written explanation request mont rev codes ann requiring prior parental notification md ann code art stat ann haw rev stats supp mont rev codes ann mass laws supp stat ann suits glover la frentz gallagher berry arnold school ark andreozzi rubano tinkham kole iowa carr wright christman hickman mo app simms school dist app marlar bill prendergast masterson tex civ app see generally sources cited supra see gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj hereinafter joint opinion furman georgia marshall concurring granucci cruel unusual punishments inflicted original meaning rev see brant bill rights see granucci supra preamble reads part whereas late king james second assistance divers evil counsellors judges ministers employed endeavor subvert extirpate laws liberties kingdom excessive bail hath required persons committed criminal cases elude benefit laws made liberty subjects excessive fines imposed illegal cruel punishments inflicted perry cooper sources liberties blackstone commentaries bail fines punishments abraham holmes massachusetts complained specifically absence provision restraining congress power determine kind punishments shall inflicted persons convicted crimes elliot debates federal constitution patrick henry mind says virginia bill rights excessive bail required excessive fines imposed cruel unusual punishments inflicted therefore calling gentlemen compose congress prescribe trials define punishments without control find sentiments similar bill rights let loose depart genius country urging us extend eighth amendment ban school paddlings petitioners rely many decisions held prohibition cruel unusual punishments fastened obsolete may acquire meaning public opinion becomes enlightened humane justice gregg georgia joint opinion see trop dulles plurality opinion weems reliance misplaced eighth amendment decisions referred evolving standards decency trop dulles supra determining whether criminal punishments cruel unusual amendment punishments though labeled criminal state may sufficiently analogous criminal punishments circumstances administered justify application eighth amendment cf gault occasion case example consider whether circumstances persons involuntarily confined mental juvenile institutions claim protection eighth amendment judge friendly similarly observed cruel unusual punishments clause fairly deemed applicable manner otherwise constitutional sentence carried executioner see louisiana ex rel francis resweber cover conditions confinement may make intolerable otherwise constitutional term imprisonment johnson glick cert denied citation omitted putting history aside irrelevant dissenting opinion justice white argues purposive analysis control reach eighth amendment post support whatever approach decisions although imposition must punishment cruel unusual punishments clause apply never held punishments subject eighth amendment scrutiny see infra applicability eighth amendment always turned original meaning demonstrated historical derivation see gregg georgia joint opinion furman georgia marshall concurring dissenting opinion warns consequence decision today teachers may cut child ear late class post rhetoric bears relation reality issues presented case laws virtually every state forbid excessive physical punishment schoolchildren yet logic dissent make judgment disciplinary punishments reasonable excessive matter constitutional principle every case decided ultimately hazards broad reading eighth amendment clear always time say nation large complex composed great diversity peoples one us wisdom establish rules local americans must govern local affairs constitutional rule urged adopt merely revolutionary departs ancient faith based premise experience making local laws local people far safest guide nation like follow powell texas opinion black eighth amendment scrutiny appropriate state complied constitutional guarantees traditionally associated criminal prosecutions see lovett thus trop dulles plurality appropriately took view denationalization impermissible punishment wartime desertion eighth amendment desertion already established criminal trial kennedy considered denationalization punishment evading draft refused reach eighth amendment issue holding instead punishment imposed criminal process cases demonstrate state acquire power punish eighth amendment concerned secured formal adjudication guilt accordance due process law state seeks impose punishment without adjudication pertinent constitutional guarantee due process clause fourteenth amendment see blackstone commentaries article magna carta individual deprived right personal security except legal judgment peers law land perry cooper supra subsequent enactments parliament time edward iii right protected deprivation except due process law see shattuck true meaning term liberty harv rev see skinner oklahoma sterilization jacobson massachusetts vaccination union pacific botsford physical examinations cf icc brimson right personal security also protected fourth amendment made applicable fourteenth protection viewed implicit concept ordered liberty enshrined history basic constitutional documents peoples wolf colorado said fourth amendment overriding function protect personal privacy dignity unwarranted intrusion state schmerber california principal concern amendment prohibition unreasonable searches seizures intrusions privacy course criminal investigations see whalen roe petitioners contend fourth amendment applies according terms corporal punishment public school unlike goss lopez case involve property interest public education purpose corporal punishment correct child behavior without interrupting education corporal punishment may rare case unintended effect temporarily removing child school affords basis concluding practice deprives students property protected fourteenth amendment case involve interest liberty going beyond fourteenth amendment protection freedom bodily restraint corporal punishment cf meachum fano privilege inflict reasonable corporal punishment school inapplicable doubtful whether procedure short trial criminal juvenile satisfy requirements procedural due process imposition punishment see lovett cf breed jones see supra statutory prohibition degrading unnecessarily severe corporal punishment former construed statement principle see op atty biennial report atty cf op atty biennial report atty florida stat ann makes malicious punishment child felony district app appeals expressed view tort remedy available petitioners case petitioners conceded teacher inflicts excessive punishment child may held civilly criminally liable florida law brief petitioners tr oral arg view statutory adoption rule unanimity parties courts doubts expressed justice white dissenting opinion availability tort remedies florida viewed chimerical dissent makes much fact florida ever recognized damages remedy unreasonable corporal punishment post absence reported florida decisions hardly suggests remedy available rather merely confirms commonsense judgment excessive corporal punishment exceedingly rare public schools low incidence abuse availability established judicial remedies event abuse distinguish case goss lopez ohio law struck goss provided suspensions public school days without written procedure applicable suspensions although ohio law provided generally administrative review ohio rev code ann supp assumed short suspensions stayed pending review result review proceeding serve neither deterrent remedial function circumstances held law authorizing suspensions unconstitutional failure require least informal student disciplinarian preferably prior suspension subsequent civil criminal proceedings available case may viewed affording substantially greater protection child informal conference mandated goss rior hearings might well dispensed many circumstances state conduct adequately justified constitute tort leave injured plaintiff precisely posture plaintiff procedural consequence quite harmonious substantive view fourteenth amendment encompasses liberties protected common law monaghan liberty property cornell rev omitted see bonner coughlin modified en banc cert pending occasion case see supra decide whether circumstances corporal punishment public school child may give rise independent federal cause action vindicate substantive rights due process clause see also terry ohio reasonableness warrantless public arrest may subjected subsequent judicial scrutiny civil action law enforcement officer suppression hearing determine whether evidence seized arrest may used criminal trial rocedural due process rules shaped risk error inherent truthfinding process applied generality cases rare exceptions mathews eldridge prior hearing inevitable attendant publicity within school resulted rejection teacher recommendation consequent impairment teacher ability maintain discipline classroom insubstantial effect interposing prior procedural safeguards may well make punishment severe increasing anxiety child reason school authorities dade county found desirable punishment inflicted soon possible infraction app may true procedural regularity disciplinary proceedings promotes sense institutional rapport open communication perception fair treatment provides offender fellow students showcase democracy work espect democratic institutions equally dissipate thought ineffectual provide students environment order educational process may go forward wilkinson goss lopez school superintendent sup rev seriousness disciplinary problems nation public schools documented recent congressional report senate committee judiciary subcommittee investigate juvenile delinquency challenge third century education safe environment final report nature prevention school violence vandalism sess comm print need maintain order trial courtroom raises similar problems context recognized power trial judge punish summarily without notice hearing contemptuous conduct committed presence observed taylor hayes citing ex parte terry punishment imposed may severe six months prison see codispoti pennsylvania cf muniz hoffman justice white dissenting opinion offers manageable standards determining process due particular case dissent apparently require general rule informal student disciplinarian post dissent depart minimal procedures requiring even witnesses counsel cases punishment reaches undefined level severity post school authorities left guess degree punishment require informal additional process may constitutionally required impracticality approach illustrates hazards ignoring traditional solution common law agree dissent goss procedures often anything less school principal impose upon post quoting goss invokes constitution impose procedural requirement reasonably certain effect afford protection appropriate constitutional interests stake dissenting opinion reading constitution suggests beneficial result indeed invites lowering existing constitutional standards justice white justice brennan justice marshall justice stevens join dissenting today holds corporal punishment public schools matter severe never subject protections afforded eighth amendment also holds students public school systems constitutionally entitled hearing sort beatings inflicted believe holdings inconsistent prior decisions contrary reasoned analysis constitutional provisions involved respectfully dissent eighth amendment places flat prohibition infliction cruel unusual punishments reflects societal judgment punishments barbaric inhumane permit imposed anyone matter opprobrious offense see robinson california douglas concurring punishments barbaric may imposed commission crimes designated social system thoroughly reprehensible acts individual commit fortiori similar punishments may imposed persons less culpable acts breaches school discipline thus constitutionally impermissible cut someone ear commission murder must unconstitutional cut child ear late class although ears cut case record reveals beatings severe inflicted hardened criminal commission serious crime might pass constitutional muster nevertheless majority holds eighth amendment designed protect convicted crimes ante relying vague inconclusive recitation history amendment yet constitutional prohibition cruel unusual punishments nowhere prohibition limited modified language constitution certainly fact framers choose insert word criminal language eighth amendment strong evidence amendment designed prohibit inhumane barbaric punishments matter nature offense punishment imposed one deny spanking schoolchildren punishment reasonable reading word similarities spanking public schools forms punishment obvious ignore like forms punishment spanking schoolchildren involves institutionalized response violation official rule regulation proscribing certain conduct imposed purpose rehabilitating offender deterring offender others like committing violation future inflicting measure social retribution harm done fortunate society punishments severe enough raise doubt constitutional validity ordinarily imposed without first affording accused full panoply procedural safeguards provided criminal process effect every decision considering whether punishment cruel unusual within meaning eighth fourteenth amendments dealt criminal punishment ante us believe fact recognized distinction criminal noncriminal punishment purposes eighth amendment plainly wrong ven clear legislative classification statute alter fundamental nature plainly penal statute trop dulles plurality opinion relevant inquiry whether offense punishment inflicted labeled criminal whether purpose deprivation among ordinarily associated punishment retribution rehabilitation deterrence cf kennedy purposive approach followed present case clear spanking florida public schools punishment within meaning eighth amendment district found orporal punishment one variety measures employed school system correction pupil behavior preservation order app behavior correction preservation order purposes ordinarily associated punishment without even mentioning purposive analysis applied prior decisions majority adopts rule turns label given offense punishment inflicted thus record case reveals one student drew junior high school received licks paddle allegedly making obscene telephone call brief petitioners majority holds eighth amendment prohibit punishment since inflicted breach school discipline however conduct punishable misdemeanor florida law stat ann supp little doubt punishment inflicted officer state courts violation satisfy requirements eighth amendment fact recognizes eighth amendment never confined criminal punishments nevertheless majority adheres view protections afforded eighth amendment must something criminals therefore confine exceptions general rule criminal punishments covered eighth amendment abuses inflicted prisoners thus prisoner beaten mercilessly breach discipline entitled protection eighth amendment schoolchild commits breach discipline similarly beaten simply covered purported explanation anomaly assertion schoolchildren need eighth amendment told schools open institutions subject constant public scrutiny schoolchildren adequate remedies state law prisoners suffer social stigma labeled criminals policy considerations got constitution difficult discern never considered factors determining scope eighth amendment essence majority argument schoolchildren need eighth amendment protection corporal punishment less subject abuse public schools prison system however reasonably suggested cruel unusual punishments may occur less frequently public scrutiny occur mere fact public flogging public execution available see render punishment constitutional otherwise impermissible similarly majority suggest prisoner placed prison permitted go home family weekends less entitled eighth amendment protections counterpart prison short punishment barbaric inhumane goes beyond tolerance civilized society openness public scrutiny nothing constitutional validity adequate answer schoolchildren may state constitutional remedies available even assuming remedies available public school students adequate florida law availability state remedies never determinative coverage protections afforded eighth amendment reason obvious fact person may cause action public official tortures thumbscrew commission antisocial act nothing fact official conduct cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth amendment indeed majority view implicitly rejected term estelle gamble held failure provide medical needs prisoners constitute cruel unusual punishment even though medical malpractice remedy tort available prisoners state law holding eighth amendment protects criminals majority adopts view one entitled protections afforded eighth amendment punished acts sufficiently opprobrious society make criminal curious holding view fact culpable offender likely punishment disproportionate offense consequently less likely punishment cruel unusual conversely public school student spanked mere breach discipline may sometimes strong argument punishment fit offense depending upon severity beating therefore cruel unusual yet majority afford student protection matter inhumane barbaric punishment inflicted might issue presented phase case limited whether corporal punishment public schools ever prohibited eighth amendment therefore suggesting spanking public schools every instance prohibited eighth amendment view take issue extreme view majority corporal punishment public schools matter barbaric inhumane severe never limited eighth amendment corporal punishment becomes severe unacceptable civilized society see reason become acceptable inflicted children public schools ii majority concedes corporal punishment public schools implicates interest protected due process clause liberty interest student free bodily restraint punishment involving appreciable physical pain inflicted persons acting color state law ante question remaining majority recognizes process due reason constitution requires state provide due process law punishes individual misconduct protect individual erroneous mistaken punishment state inflicted found facts reliable way see mathews eldridge goss lopez applied principle school disciplinary process holding student must given informal opportunity heard finally suspended public school disciplinarians although proceeding utmost good faith frequently act reports advice others controlling facts nature conduct challenge often disputed risk error trivial guarded may done without prohibitive cost interference educational process emphasis added holds rudimentary precautions unfair mistaken findings misconduct required student punished appreciable physical pain rather suspension even though punishments deprive student constitutionally protected interest although respondent school authorities provide absolutely process student punishment finally inflicted majority concludes student nonetheless given due process later sue teacher recover damages punishment excessive tort action utterly inadequate protect erroneous infliction punishment two reasons first florida law student punished act commit recover damages teacher proceeding utmost good faith reports advice others supra student remedy punishment imposed basis mistaken facts least long punishment reasonable point view disciplinarian uninformed prior hearing traditional remedies majority relies ante thus nothing protect student danger concerned goss risk reasonable mistake school disciplinary process second important even student sue error infliction punishment lawsuit occurs punishment finally imposed infliction physical pain final irreparable undone subsequent proceeding every reason require goss minutes informal student disciplinarian meaningful hedge erroneous infliction irreparable injury majority conclusion damages remedy excessive corporal punishment affords adequate process rests novel theory state may punish individual without giving opportunity present side story long later recover damages state official innocent logic theory permit state punished speeding jail sentence make driver serve sentence first without trial sue recover damages wrongful imprisonment similarly state finally take away prisoner credits alleged disciplinary infractions require bring damages suit eventually released authority theory majority purport find procedural due process decisions cases consistently held kind hearing required time person finally deprived property interests person liberty equally protected wolff mcdonnell emphasis added majority attempts support novel theory drawing analogy warrantless arrests probable cause held reasonable fourth amendment watson analogy fails two reasons first particular requirements fourth amendment rooted ancient rule regulating police practices must understood context criminal justice system amendment explicitly tailored thus gerstein pugh speaking justice powell rejected argument procedural protections required goss due process cases afforded criminal suspect arrested without warrant fourth amendment tailored explicitly criminal justice system balance individual public interests always thought define process due seizures person property criminal cases including detention suspects pending trial moreover fourth amendment probable cause determination fact first stage elaborate system unique jurisprudence designed safeguard rights accused criminal conduct relatively simple civil procedures prior interview school principal suspension presented procedural due process cases cited concurring opinion inapposite irrelevant wholly different context criminal justice system emphasis last sentence added second contrary majority suggestion ante reason upheld warrantless arrests probable cause police officer assessment facts may subjected subsequent judicial scrutiny civil action law enforcement officer suppression hearing reason upheld arrests without warrants first stage elaborate system procedural protections gerstein pugh supra state free continue deprivation beyond first stage without procedures constitution requires state provide fair reliable determination probable cause judicial officer prior imposition significant pretrial restraint liberty brief period detention take administrative steps incident warrantless arrest omitted emphasis added practical compromise made necessary requiring magistrate review factual justification prior arrest constitute intolerable handicap legitimate law enforcement determination prior significant period pretrial incarceration rather damages action suppression hearing affords suspect due process short basis logic authority majority suggestion action recover damages excessive corporal punishment afford substantially greater protection child informal conference mandated goss majority purports follow settled principle process due depends risk erroneous deprivation protected interest probable value additional substitute procedural safeguards recognizes goss risk error school disciplinary process concedes child strong interest procedural safeguards minimize risk wrongful punishment ante somehow concludes risk adequately reduced damages remedy never recognized florida leaves unprotected innocent student punished mistake allows state punish first hear student version events later agree majority emphasizes dissenters goss even rudimentary precautions required decision impose burden school disciplinary process costs greater student paddled rather suspended risk error punishment smaller fear significant intrusion disciplinary process ante cf goss supra powell dissenting exaggerated disciplinarian need take minutes give student notice charges denies explanation evidence authorities opportunity present side story context constitution requires anything less school principal impose upon order avoid injustice reverse judgment little reason fear eighth amendment held apply corporal punishment schoolchildren paddlings however moderate prohibited jackson bishop held paddling flogging prisoners convicted crime serving prison terms violated cruel unusual punishment ban eighth amendment aside fact bishop never embraced theory case bodily punishments intrinsically barbaric excessively severe paddling prisoners degrading punisher punished alike approach may acceptable criminal justice system little relevance corporal punishment schools hardly said use moderate paddlings discipline children inconsistent country evolving standards decency hand punishment involves cruel severe beating chopping ear something merely dignity individual involved whenever given criminal punishment cruel unusual inhumane barbaric think reason less inhumane barbaric inflicted schoolchild punishment classroom misconduct issue case whether spankings inflicted public school children breaking school rules punishment whether punishment cruel unusual eighth amendment bar moderate spanking public schools moderate spanking cruel unusual punishment majority suggests means suggested spanking schoolchildren punishment within meaning cruel unusual punishments clause school disciplinary process way criminal therefore subject full panoply criminal procedural guarantees see part ii infra ordinarily conduct schoolchildren punished sufficiently opprobrious called criminal society even violations school disciplinary rules might also constitute crime see infra subject criminal process see baxter palmigiano held persons violate prison disciplinary rules entitled full panoply criminal procedural safeguards even rule violation might also constitute crime majority cites trop one cases dealt criminal punishment neglects follow analysis mandated decision trop petitioner convicted desertion military sentenced three years hard labor forfeiture pay allowances dishonorable discharge punished offense committed petitioner application passport turned petitioner told deprived rights citizenship nationality act dishonorably discharged armed forces plurality took view denationalization context cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth amendment majority us believe determinative factor trop petitioner convicted desertion yet suggestion trop disposition military anything decision case instead recognizing eighth amendment extends punishments penal nature plurality adopted purposive approach determining punishment penal deciding whether law penal generally based determination upon purpose statute statute imposes disability purposes punishment reprimand wrongdoer deter others etc considered penal statute considered nonpenal imposes disability punish accomplish legitimate governmental purpose footnotes omitted although quoted passage taken plurality opinion chief justice warren joined three justices justice brennan concurring opinion adopted similar approach concluding beyond power congress enact ante estelle gamble case decided term held deliberate indifference medical needs prisoners prison officials constitutes cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth amendment deliberate indifference prisoner medical needs clearly punishment inflicted commission crime merely misconduct prison official similarly eighth circuit held whipping prisoner strap order maintain discipline prohibited eighth amendment jackson bishop blackmun see also knecht gillman injection drugs part aversion therapy held cruel unusual vann scott stevens eighth amendment protects runaway children cruel inhumane treatment regardless whether treatment labeled rehabilitation punishment finding bodily punishment invades constitutionally protected liberty interest within meaning due process clause majority suggests clause might also afford remedy excessive spanking independently eighth amendment case present thesis little practical significance rather holding due process clause affords remedy way express commands eighth amendment majority recognize cause action deprivation liberty flowing excessive paddling opinion merely lengthy word advice respect drafting civil complaints petitioners case raise substantive due process issue petition certiorari ante consideration question foreclosed limited grant certiorari probable schoolchildren entitled protection theory substantive due process affirm judgment amend grant certiorari set case reargument support policy considerations cases cited majority morrissey brewer meachum fano cases involving prisoners rights procedural due process evidence record corporal punishment abused prison systems often public schools indeed corporal punishment seldom authorized state prisons see jackson bishop supra justice judge blackmun noted nly two still permit use strap prisons thus almost uniformly abolished relying view nature two public institutions without evidence heard question majority today predicates constitutional principle mere armchair speculation doubt remedies available public school children adequate see infra penalty consistent eighth amendment punishment must grossly proportion severity crime gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens goss lopez record suggests may substantial risk error discipline administered respondent school authorities respondents concede petitioners punished denied misconduct cases punishments may mistaken brief respondents appeals panel noted numerous instances students punished despite claims innocence particularly disturbed testimony whole classes students corporally punished misconduct extent majority focuses incidence remedies unduly severe punishments fails address petitioners claim procedural safeguards required reduce risk punishments simply mistaken majority assurances contrary unclear whether extent florida law provides damages action school officials excessive corporal punishment giving majority benefit every doubt think fair say student punished basis mistaken allegations misconduct hope florida recovery unreasonable error strongly suspect even remedy available although majority cite single case decided florida law recognizes student right sue school official recover damages excessive punishment willing assume tort action exist florida nevertheless serious doubts whether ever provide recovery student simply punished offense commit cases jurisdictions cited majority ante involved allegations punishment disproportionate misconduct student charged none decisions even suggest student recover showing teacher incorrectly imposed punishment something student done majority appears agree damages remedy available cases punishment unreasonable light misconduct charged cases severe punishment contemplated available civil criminal sanctions abuse afford significant protection unjustified corporal punishment ante emphasis added even remedy excessive punishment extends punishment excessive sense imposed basis mistaken facts school authorities still protected personal liability immunity protected statutory immunity liability enforcing disciplinary rules xcept case excessive force cruel unusual punishment stat ann minimum immunity protect school officials damages liability reasonable mistakes made good faith although differing emphases formulations immunity public school officials cases student expulsion suspension state courts generally recognized officers protected tort liability state law goodfaith nonmalicious action taken fulfill official duties wood strickland adopting rule suits involving school discipline omitted see citing state cases florida applied rule police officer determination probable cause arrest officer liable damages arrest based probable cause officer reasonably believed probable cause existed miami albro dist app cf middleton fort walton beach dist app police officer personally liable intentional tort making arrest pursuant warrant knew void wilson dist app law enforcement officer liable damages obtaining arrest warrant basis incorrect identification every reason think florida courts apply similar immunity standard hypothetical damages suit school disciplinarian final limitation student damages remedy florida law student recover personal assets official school board treasury absolutely protected sovereign immunity damages torts agents buck mclean dist app teacher limited resources may deter jury awarding prevent student collecting full amount damages entitled cf bonner coughlin modified en banc cert pending remedy affords due process sovereign official immunity bars tort suit negligence prison guard cf leasing held levying taxpayer assets pursuant jeopardy assessment revenue agents must obtain warrant searching taxpayer office seizing property manner involves invasion privacy leasing thus reflects principle case advance procedural safeguards magistrate determination probable cause compelling government finally inflicts injury repaired subsequent judicial proceeding invasion privacy inflicts temporary injury undone seizure property infliction bodily punishment like invasion privacy presents compelling case advance procedural safeguards extent majority attempts find relevant analogy criminal law warrantless arrests probable cause holding ante see infra chosen wrong analogy majority forthrightly applied present due process analysis area criminal prosecutions police officer arrest suspect without warrant also convict suspect without trial sentence short jail term accused get due process tort suit false imprisonment proposition need prior hearing significantly less compelling state preserved remedies ante majority cites one case bonner coughlin supra dismissing allegation prisoner prison guards acting color state law deprived property without due process law negligently failing close door cell search foreseeable consequence trial transcript stolen panel held right recover state law negligence state employees provided prisoner due process law decision distinguishable instant case two grounds first recovery barred sovereign official immunity state remedy ensured prisoner made whole loss property cf regional rail reorganization act cases point course student made whole infliction wrongful punishment second state hold hearing intend inflict deprivation best protect individual unauthorized inadvertent act provide damages remedy deprivation intentional prior hearing altogether feasible ante ante quoting mathews eldridge ante quoting goss elsewhere opinion majority asserts risk error typically insignificant paddlings usually inflicted response conduct directly observed teachers presence ante cites finding evidence record assertion restriction statute regulations authorizing corporal punishment see ante indeed panel noted specific instances students punished assistant principal present alleged offenses committed view expressed minimal procedures goss required corporal punishment implicating student liberty interest course meant imply minimum constitutionally sufficient matter severe punishment inflicted made reservation explicit goss suggesting elaborate procedures witnesses counsel might well required suspensions longer maximum involved case similar caveat appropriate justice stevens dissenting justice white analysis eighth amendment issue believe unanswerable also persuaded analysis procedural due process issue correct notwithstanding disagreement holding latter question respect justice powell reasoning part opinion prompts comments constitutional prohibition state deprivations life liberty property without due process law express language require hearing provided deprivation may occur sure timing process may critical element determining adequacy deciding process due particular context generally adequate notice fair opportunity heard advance deprivation constitutionally protected interest essential recognized however wording command shall deprivation without due process law consistent conclusion postdeprivation remedy sometimes constitutionally sufficient invasion property interest involved greater likelihood damages award make person completely whole invasion individual interest freedom bodily restraint punishment occurred property context therefore frequently postdeprivation state remedy may process fourteenth amendment requires may also true although express opinion point adequate state remedy defamation may satisfy due process requirement state impaired individual interest reputation hypothesis analysis today gives rise thought paul davis may correctly decided incorrect rationale perhaps one day agree justice brennan appraisal importance constitutional interest stake dissenting opinion nevertheless conclude adequate state remedy may prevent every injury person reputation violating pearson yacht leasing fuentes shevin ewing mytinger casselberry phillips commissioner lawton steele cf gerstein pugh cf bonner coughlin modified en banc cert pending see also judge swygert thoughtful opinion