paul davis argued november decided march photograph respondent bearing name included flyer active shoplifters arrested shoplifting charge louisville charge dismissed respondent brought action petitioner police chiefs distributed flyer area merchants alleging petitioners action color law deprived constitutional rights district granted petitioners motion dismiss appeals reversed relying wisconsin constantineau held petitioners action distributing flyer deprive respondent liberty property rights secured state deprivation due process clause fourteenth amendment pp due process clause ex proprio vigore extend person right free injury wherever state may characterized tortfeasor pp reputation alone apart tangible interests employment implicate liberty property interests sufficient invoke procedural protection due process clause hence establish claim fourteenth amendment must involved simply defamation state official wisconsin constantineau supra distinguished pp kentucky law extend respondent legal guarantee present enjoyment reputation altered petitioners actions interest reputation alone thus quite different liberty property recognized decisions bell burson morrissey brewer guarantee due process required certain procedural safeguards state alter status complainants pp respondent contention petitioners defamatory flyer deprived constitutional right privacy without merit based upon challenge state ability restrict freedom action sphere contended private claim state may publicize record official act like arrest pp rehnquist delivered opinion burger stewart blackmun powell joined brennan filed dissenting opinion marshall joined white joined part post stevens took part consideration decision case carson porter argued cause petitioners brief bruce miller daniel taylor iii argued cause respondent brief robert allen sedler william allison melvin wulf john shattuck leon friedman frank carrington fred inbau william lambie wayne schmidt filed brief americans effective law enforcement et al amici curiae urging reversal justice rehnquist delivered opinion granted certiorari case consider whether respondent charge petitioners defamation standing alone apart governmental action respect stated claim relief fourteenth amendment reasons hereinafter stated conclude petitioner paul chief police louisville division police petitioner mcdaniel occupies position jefferson county division police late agreed combine efforts purpose alerting local area merchants possible shoplifters might operating christmas season early december petitioners distributed approximately merchants louisville metropolitan area flyer began follows business men metropolitan area chiefs jefferson county city louisville police departments effort keep officers advised shoplifting activity approved attached alphabetically arranged flyer subjects known active criminal field flyer distributed business man may inform security personnel watch subjects persons arrested active various criminal fields high density shopping areas photograph name subject shown flyer additional information desired please forward request writing november city louisville jefferson county police departments active shoplifters respondent appeared flyer june arrested louisville charge shoplifting arraigned charge september upon plea guilty charge filed away leave reinstate disposition left charge outstanding thus time petitioners caused flyer prepared circulated respondent charged shoplifting guilt innocence offense never resolved shortly circulation flyer charge respondent finally dismissed judge louisville police time flyer circulated respondent employed photographer louisville times flyer respondent inclusion therein soon came attention respondent supervisor executive director photography two newspapers individual called respondent hear version events leading appearing flyer following discussion supervisor informed respondent although fired best find similar situation future respondent thereupon brought action district western district kentucky seeking redress alleged violation rights guaranteed constitution claiming jurisdiction respondent sought damages well declaratory injunctive relief petitioners moved dismiss complaint district granted motion ruling facts alleged case establish plaintiff deprived right secured constitution respondent appealed appeals sixth circuit recognized decisions respondent establish claim cognizable show petitioners deprived right secured constitution deprivation achieved color law adickes kress appeals concluded respondent set forth claim alleged facts constitute denial due process law view decision wisconsin constantineau mandated reversal district respondent due process claim grounded upon assertion flyer particular phrase active shoplifters appearing head page upon name photograph appear impermissibly deprived liberty protected fourteenth amendment complaint asserted active shoplifter designation inhibit entering business establishments fear suspected shoplifting possibly apprehended seriously impair future employment opportunities accepting consequences may flow flyer question respondent complaint appear state classical claim defamation actionable courts virtually every state imputing criminal behavior individual generally considered defamatory per se actionable without proof special damages respondent brought action however state courts kentucky district state asserted claim defamation laws kentucky claim deprived rights secured fourteenth amendment constitution concededly allegations made respondent private individual nothing claim defamation state law contends since petitioners respectively official city county government action thereby transmuted one deprivation state rights secured fourteenth amendment greenwood peacock course considering important wholly dissimilar question relationship national state governments said worth contemplating result strained interpretation urged individual petitioners prevail pause consider result respondent interpretation fourteenth amendment accepted respondent view prevail person arrested law enforcement officers announce believe person responsible particular crime order calm fears aroused populace presumably obtains claim officers since surely far clear language fourteenth amendment life protected state deprivation reputation protected state injury difficult see survivors innocent bystander mistakenly shot policeman negligently killed sheriff driving government vehicle claims equally cognizable hard perceive logical stopping place line reasoning respondent construction seem almost necessarily result every legally cognizable injury may inflicted state official acting color law establishing violation fourteenth amendment think come great surprise drafted shepherded adoption amendment learn worked result study decisions convinces us support construction urged respondent ii result reached appeals respondent seeks sustain must bottomed one two premises first due process clause fourteenth amendment make actionable many wrongs inflicted government employees heretofore thought give rise tort claims second premise infliction state officials stigma one reputation somehow different kind infliction official harm injury interests protected state law injury reputation actionable fourteenth amendment even harms examine premises turn first premise contrary pronouncements cases one occasion respect scope fourteenth amendment leading case screws considered proper application criminal counterpart likewise intended congress enforce guarantees fourteenth amendment opinion plurality case justice douglas observed violation local law necessarily mean federal rights invaded fact prisoner assaulted injured even murdered state officials necessarily mean deprived right protected secured constitution laws make torts state officials federal crimes brought within criminal provision specified acts done color law acts deprived person right secured constitution laws second premise upon result reached appeals rested infliction state officials stigma one reputation somehow different kind infliction state official harm interests protected state law equally untenable words liberty property used fourteenth amendment terms single reputation candidate special protection interests may protected state law number prior cases pointed frequently drastic effect stigma may result defamation government variety contexts line cases establish proposition reputation alone apart tangible interests employment either liberty property sufficient invoke procedural protection due process clause said appeals reaching contrary conclusion relied primarily upon wisconsin constantineau think correct import decision however must derived examination precedents upon relied well consideration decisions constantineau bear upon relationship governmental defamation guarantees constitution uniform treatment subject think weight decisions establishes constitutional doctrine converting every defamation public official deprivation liberty within meaning due process clause fifth fourteenth amendment lovett held act congress specifically forbade payment salary compensation three named government agency employees unconstitutional bill attainder three employees proscribed house representatives subcommittee found guilty subversive activity therefore unfit government service recognizing underlying charges upon congress action premised stigmatized employees reputation seriously impaired chance earn living also made clear hat involved congressional proscription employees prohibiting ever holding government job ibid subsequently joint refugee comm mcgrath examined validity attorney general designation certain organizations communist list furnished civil service commission majority opinion case justice burton announced judgment wrote opinion reach petitioners constitutional claim justice frankfurter agreed justice burton petitioners stated claim upon relief granted noted publicly designating organization within proscribed categories loyalty order directly deprive anyone liberty property justice douglas likewise concluded petitioners stated claim observed separate opinion instance name calling public officials determination status proceeding ascertain whether organization subversive determination consequences serious condemned organizations consequences flow part course public opinion also flow actions regulatory agencies moving wake attorney general determination penalize police organizations agree mere designation subversive deprives organizations legal right immunity dissolved subjected legal prosecution punished penalized prohibited carrying activities claim injury attract audiences enlist members obtain contributions readily however sanctions applied public disapproval law real target procedure government employee member sympathetic one accused organizations may discharged disqualified employment upon ground membership sympathetic affiliation deprived present government employment future opportunity certainly small injury government employment dominates field opportunity contention answered summarily saying deprivation property liberty listed organization attorney general designation may assumed listing hurtful prestige reputation earning power may injury entitle organizations damages tort action persons protected privilege designation however prohibit business organizations subject punishment deprive liberty speech freedom wieman updegraff recognized potential badge infamy might arise branded disloyal government hold sufficient invoke procedural due process guarantees fourteenth amendment indeed expressly refused pass upon procedural due process claims petitioners case noted petitioners result failure execute state loyalty oath lose teaching positions state university held state action arbitrary failure distinguish innocent knowing membership associations named list prepared attorney general see also peters hobby decade joint refugee comm mcgrath supra returned consider requirements procedural due process area case cafeteria workers mcelroy holding discharge employee government contractor circumstances presented comported due process required fifth amendment observed finally noted case government action operated bestow badge disloyalty infamy attendant foreclosure employment opportunity see wieman updegraff joint comm mcgrath emphasis supplied noteworthy barr matteo howard lyons two actions defamation brought federal officers neither opinion intimation parties cases members remotest idea due process clause fifth amendment might form basis claim defamation federal officials backdrop decided constantineau held wisconsin statute authorizing practice posting unconstitutional failed provide procedural safeguards notice opportunity heard prior individual posted statute posting consisted forbidding writing sale delivery alcoholic beverages certain persons determined become hazards family community reason excessive drinking statute also made misdemeanor sell give liquor person posted see undoubtedly language constantineau sufficiently ambiguous justify reliance upon appeals yet certainly state attaches badge infamy citizen due process comes play wieman updegraff right heard condemned suffer grievous loss kind even though may involve stigma hardships criminal conviction principle basic society committee mcgrath frankfurter concurring person good name reputation honor integrity stake government notice opportunity heard essential emphasis supplied think italicized language last sentence quoted government referred fact governmental action taken case deprived individual right previously held state law right purchase obtain liquor common rest citizenry posting therefore significantly altered status matter state law alteration legal status combined injury resulting defamation justified invocation procedural safeguards stigma resulting defamatory character posting doubtless important factor evaluating extent harm worked act think defamation standing alone deprived constantineau liberty protected procedural guarantees fourteenth amendment conclusion reinforced discussion subject little year later board regents roth noted range interests protected procedural due process infinite respect property interests course created constitution rather created dimensions defined existing rules understandings stem independent source state law rules understandings secure certain benefits support claims entitlement benefits state declining rehire respondent make charge might seriously damage standing associations community similarly suggestion state declining respondent imposed stigma disability foreclosed freedom take advantage employment opportunities emphasis supplied conclusion quite consistent recent holding area goss lopez suspension school based upon charges misconduct trigger procedural guarantees fourteenth amendment noted charges misconduct seriously damage student reputation also took care point ohio law conferred right upon children attend school act school officials suspending student involved resulted denial deprivation right iii apparent decisions exists variety interests difficult definition nevertheless comprehended within meaning either liberty property meant due process clause interests attain constitutional status virtue fact initially recognized protected state law repeatedly ruled procedural guarantees fourteenth amendment apply whenever state seeks remove significantly alter protected status bell burson example state issuing drivers licenses recognized citizens right operate vehicle highways state held state withdraw right without giving petitioner due process morrissey brewer state afforded parolees right remain liberty long conditions parole violated state alter status parolee alleged violations conditions held fourteenth amendment guarantee due process law required certain procedural safeguards cases result state action complained right status previously recognized state law distinctly altered extinguished alteration officially removing interest recognition protection previously afforded state found sufficient invoke procedural guarantees contained due process clause fourteenth amendment interest reputation alone respondent seeks vindicate action federal quite different liberty property recognized decisions kentucky law extend respondent legal guarantee present enjoyment reputation altered result petitioners actions rather interest reputation simply one number state may protect injury virtue tort law providing forum vindication interests means damages actions harm injury interest even inflicted officer state result deprivation liberty property recognized state federal law worked change respondent status theretofore recognized state laws reasons hold interest reputation asserted case neither liberty property guaranteed state deprivation without due process law respondent case assert denial right vouchsafed state thereby protected fourteenth amendment case petitioners defamatory publications however seriously may harmed respondent reputation deprive liberty property interests protected due process clause iv respondent complaint also alleged violation right privacy guaranteed first fourth fifth ninth fourteenth amendments appeals pass upon claim since found allegations due process violation sufficient require reversal district order agreed district due process issue find necessary pass upon respondent theory order determine whether support litigation seeks pursue right privacy found specific guarantee constitution recognized zones privacy may created specific constitutional guarantees thereby impose limits upon government power see roe wade respondent case however comes within none areas seek suppress evidence seized course unreasonable search see katz terry ohio right privacy cases defying categorical description deal generally substantive aspects fourteenth amendment roe pointed personal rights found guarantee personal privacy must limited fundamental implicit concept ordered liberty described palko connecticut activities detailed within definition ones different respondent claims constitutional protection matters relating marriage procreation contraception family relationships child rearing education areas held limitations power substantively regulate conduct respondent claim far afield line decisions claims constitutional protection disclosure fact arrest shoplifting charge claim based upon challenge state ability restrict freedom action sphere contended private instead claim state may publicize record official act arrest none substantive privacy decisions hold anything like decline enlarge manner none respondent theories recovery based upon rights secured fourteenth amendment petitioners therefore liable judgment appeals holding otherwise reversed footnotes disputed petitioners actions part official conduct element cause action satisfied respondent correct contention defamation state official actionable fourteenth amendment course follow defamation federal official likewise actionable cognate due process clause fifth amendment surely fourteenth amendment imposes stringent requirements upon state officials fifth upon federal counterparts thus consider decisions interpreting either clause relevant examination respondent claim agree suggestion brother brennan dissenting post actions two petitioner law enforcement officers come within language used justice harlan dissenting opinion jenkins mckeithen conceivable stretch imagination either separately together agency whose sole predominant function without serving public interest expose publicize names persons finds guilty wrongdoing indeed actions taken petitioners case fall far short formalized proceedings commission civil rights established congress procedures upheld constitutional challenge hannah larche described functions commission language adjudicate hold trials determine anyone civil criminal liability issue orders indict punish impose legal sanctions make determinations depriving anyone life liberty property short commission take affirmative action affect individual legal rights purpose existence find facts may subsequently used basis legislative executive action emphasis supplied interests course protected virtue recognition law particular state guaranteed one provisions bill rights incorporated fourteenth amendment section makes deprivation rights actionable independently state law see monroe pape discussion part iii limited consideration procedural guarantees due process clause intended describe substantive limitations upon state action may encompassed within concept liberty expressed fourteenth amendment cf part iv infra justice brennan justice marshall concurs justice white concurs part dissenting dissent today holds police officials acting official capacities law enforcers may initiative without trial constitutionally condemn innocent individuals criminals thereby brand one stigmatizing debilitating labels society constitutional restraints oppressive behavior safeguards constitutionally accorded accused criminal trial rendered sham individual feel secure arbitrarily singled similar ex parte punishment primarily charged fair enforcement law accomplishes result excluding person interest good name reputation constitutional protection regardless character necessity government actions result demonstrably inconsistent prior case law unduly restrictive construction precious bill rights one concur clarify issue case first necessary dispel misconceptions apparent opinion title provides every person color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state territory subjects causes subjected citizen person within jurisdiction thereof deprivation rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable party injured action law suit equity proper proceeding redress equally irrelevant statement oncededly allegations made respondent private individual nothing claim defamation state law ante action complained state action allegedly violation fourteenth amendment amendment designed prohibit state action clearly renders unconstitutional actions taken state officials merely criminal tortious engaged acting private capacities course private citizen enters home another manacles threatens owner searches house course robbery criminally civilly liable state law constitutional rights owner implicated however state police officials engage acts course narcotics investigation owner may maintain damages action police deprivation constitutional rights color state law cf bivens six unknown federal narcotics agents see also monroe pape supra short difficult believe seriously suggests see ante anomaly distinction constitutional purposes tortious conduct committed private citizen conduct committed state officials color state law may misunderstand thrust part opinion perhaps questioning involvement constitutional liberty property interest case rather whether deprivation interests accomplished color state law expressed concern today decision negligent tortious behavior state officials might constitute violation see ante suggests reading concern groundless official actions color law merely official policeman discipline children example constitute conduct color law essential element type action abuse official position congress enacting meant give remedy parties deprived constitutional rights privileges immunities official abuse position monroe pape supra emphasis supplied section focuses isuse power possessed virtue state law made possible wrongdoer clothed authority state law classic emphasis supplied moreover whether mere negligent official conduct course duty ever constitute abuse power police officials concede conduct intentional undertaken official capacities therefore beyond peradventure action taken color law see ante disingenuous argue see ante respondent seeking convert generalized font tort law issue properly presented case whether petitioners intentional conduct infringed respondent liberty property interests without due process law question addressed persuaded respondent alleged case infringement therefore violation stark fact police officially imposed respondent stigmatizing label criminal without salutary constitutionally mandated safeguards criminal trial concedes action deleterious consequences respondent years police prepared circulated similar lists respect shoplifting alone also offenses app included list respondent name mug shot appeared numerous individuals like respondent never convicted criminal activity whose offense arrested indeed respondent arrested months flyer distributed state law enforcement authorities store private security police nothing record appears suggest existence time even constitutionally sufficient probable cause single arrest shoplifting charge nevertheless petitioners flyers printed distributed widely throughout louisville business community proclaiming individuals identified name picture subjects known active criminal field shoplifting trumpeting fact page depicted active shoplifters emphasis supplied although accepting truth allegation must motion dismiss see walker process equipment food machinery chemical cf conley gibson dissemination flyer seriously impair respondent future employment opportunities inhibit entering business establishments fear suspected shoplifting possibly apprehended ante characterizes allegation mere defamation involving infringement constitutionally protected interests ante holds neither liberty property interest invaded injury done respondent reputation therefore violation fourteenth amendment alleged wholly disagree important paraphrase pause consider result interpretation fourteenth amendment accepted ante attempt analyze question one reconciliation constitutionally protected personal rights exigencies law enforcement effort made distinguish defamation occurs grand jury indicts accused defamation occurs executive officials arbitrarily without trial declare person active criminal rather mere fiat analysis wholly excludes personal interest reputation ambit life liberty property fifth fourteenth amendments thus rendering due process concerns never applicable official stigmatization however arbitrary individual logical disturbing corollary holding due process infirmities inhere statute constituting commission conduct ex parte trials individuals long official judgment pronounced limited public condemnation branding person communist traitor active murderer homosexual mark merely carries social opprobrium potential today decision frightening free people decision surely finds support relevant constitutional jurisprudence constitution free people doubt meaning liberty must broad indeed see bolling sharpe stanley illinois board regents roth without doubt denotes merely freedom bodily restraint also right individual generally enjoy privileges long recognized essential orderly pursuit happiness free men meyer nebraska certainly enjoyment one good name reputation recognized repeatedly cases among cherished rights enjoyed free people therefore falling within concept personal liberty justice stewart reminded us individual right protection good name reflects basic concept essential dignity worth every human concept root decent system ordered liberty protection private personality like protection life left primarily individual ninth tenth amendments mean right entitled less recognition basic constitutional system rosenblatt baer concurring opinion gertz robert welch person good name reputation honor integrity stake government notice opportunity heard essential wisconsin constantineau wieman updegraff joint refugee committee mcgrath lovett peters hobby douglas concurring see cafeteria workers mcelroy board regents roth supra today decision marks clear retreat jenkins mckeithen case closely akin factual pattern instant case yet essentially ignored jenkins also action brought recognized public branding individual implicates interests cognizable either liberty property held public condemnation accomplished without procedural safeguards designed eliminate arbitrary capricious executive action jenkins involved constitutionality louisiana commission inquiry executive agency whose purpose find persons guilty violating criminal laws without trial procedural safeguards publicize findings personal economic consequences alleged flow actions sufficient meet requirement appellant prove legally redressable injury consequences certainly actionable caused private party thus sufficient accord appellant standing see greene mcelroy joint refugee committee mcgrath supra opinion burton frankfurter concurring answer commission tried impose direct sanctions appellant enough commission alleged actions substantial impact appellant allegations go beyond normal publicity attending criminal prosecution alleges concerted attempt publicly brand criminal without trial constitutionally significant distinction two kinds governmental bodies first agency whose sole predominant function without serving public interest expose publicize names persons finds guilty wrongdoing extent determination whether called finding adjudication finally directly affects substantial personal interests doubt due process clause may require accompanied many traditional adjudicatory procedural safeguards cf joint refugee committee mcgrath however relegates discussion jenkins dissembling first ignores fact jenkins clearly recognized constitutional liberty property interest reputation sufficient invoke strictures fourteenth amendment baffles face holding come today conclusion reliance fact conduct question come within language dissent jenkins ante second important manifests confusion pervades remainder opinion simply fails recognize crucial difference question whether personal interest one good name reputation constitutionally cognizable liberty property interest within fourteenth fifth amendment due process clauses totally separate question whether particular government action respect interest satisfies mandates due process see supra although dissenters jenkins thought commission procedures complied due process clearly believed personal interest weighed reaching conclusion dissenters jenkins like hannah larche supra held view context purely investigatory factfinding agency full trial safeguards required comply due process question never reached unless constitutionally cognizable personal interest making inquiry necessary interest reputation affected public exposure contrast implicitly repudiates substantial body case law finds constitutionally cognizable interest person reputation thus foreclosing inquiry procedural protections accorded interest given situation short difficult fathom renders respondent interest reputation somehow different personal interest affected agency whose sole predominant function without serving public interest expose publicize names persons finds guilty wrongdoing ante quoting surely difference found fact police officials rather statutory agency engaged stigmatizing conduct situations involve requisite action color law ante difference found argument petitioners actions serving public interest consideration affects outcome due process balance particular case whether personal liberty interest weighed government interests supposedly justifying state official actions remarkable determined parse language cases see generally ante part ii thus oblivious fact every member recently felt intentional public exposure alleged wrongdoing like branding individual active shoplifter implicates constitutionally protected liberty property interest requires analysis whether procedures adequate satisfy due process accorded accused state moreover wisconsin constantineau relied appeals case rely fact asserted today controlling namely upon fact posting denied constantineau right purchase alcohol year ante rather constantineau stated issue present whether label characterization given person posting though mark serious illness others stigma badge disgrace procedural due process requires notice opportunity heard emphasis supplied addition statements quoted ante constantineau continued posting wisconsin act may merely mark illness others stigma official branding person label degrading one wisconsin act resident hartford given process appellee afforded chance defend may victim official caprice whole proceedings leading pinning unsavory label person aired oppressive results prevented right heard condemned suffer grievous loss kind even though may involve stigma hardships criminal conviction principle basic society quoting joint refugee comm mcgrath frankfurter concurring emphasis supplied fact government stigmatization individual implicates constitutionally protected interests made plain thus jenkins constantineau decisions upon relied cogent authority person interest good name reputation falls within broad term liberty clearly require government afford procedural protections infringing name reputation branding person criminal reduced discrediting clear thrust constantineau jenkins excluding interest reputation constitutional protection possible interpretation deny force precedent according constitutional protection interest reputation ante approach oblivious chief justice marshall admonition must never forget constitution expounding culloch maryland wheat teaching cases roth meyer attentive necessary breadth constitutional liberty property interests see nn supra water prior precedents reinterpreting confined injury reputation affects individual employment prospects right status previously recognized state law state distinctly altered extinguished ante see also ante obvious answer references cases even references concerned particular fact situations presented nowise implied limitation upon application principles announced ante quoting board regents roth see supra discussions impact upon future employment opportunities nothing recognition logical natural consequences flowing stigma condemned ante quoting cafeteria workers mcelroy moreover analysis hollow ring light acceptance truth allegation active shoplifter label seriously impair respondent future employment opportunities ante clear recognition official badge infamy affects tangible interests defamed individual merely abstract interest people view badge infamy serious consequences impact less opportunities open enjoy life liberty pursuit happiness inexplicable say person status altered state suspends school revokes driver license fires job denies right purchase drink alcohol way altered officially pins upon brand criminal particularly since recognizes deleterious consequences inevitably flow official act see ante precedents clearly mandate person interest good name reputation cognizable liberty interest within meaning due process clause simply failed distinguish precedents rational manner holding invasion liberty interest effected official stigmatizing respondent criminal without process whatsoever always thought one important roles provide formidable bulwark governmental violation constitutional safeguards securing free society legitimate expectations every person innate human dignity sense worth regrettable abdication role saddening denigration majestic bill rights tolerates arbitrary capricious official conduct branding individual criminal without compliance constitutional procedures designed ensure fair impartial ascertainment criminal culpability today decision must surely aberration deprivations rights secured laws well constitution actionable alleged constitutional violation involved case ante indeed difficult interpret discussion anything discussion color law requirement involved case relationship question whether liberty property interest involved simply way despite today treatment terms liberty property declare loss person life interest cognizable within life portion due process clause see ante course addition providing remedy official abuses position designed provide remedy state statute abridges constitutional rights remedy state law inadequate protect constitutional rights state remedy though adequate theory unavailable practice see monroe pape petitioners testified limit persons convicted offense shoplifting correct correct question basis conclusion person person arrested offense shoplifting active shoplifter fact arrested charge shoplifting evidence presented effect based finding sir app right understanding correct included persons arrested true selected persons arrested previous years assume number persons many arrested many years back line consecutively distinction made persons whose arrest terminated convictions persons whose arrest terminate convictions sir respondent arrested june pleaded guilty charge filed away leave reinstate september distribution flyer december shoplifting charge dismissed december respondent filed complaint following day sought compensatory punitive damages injunction prohibiting similar dissemination flyers future ordering petitioners obtain return flyers instruct received respondent others pictured flyers active shoplifters convicted shoplifting similar offense respondent arrest took place five years previously speeding offense totally excluding person interest reputation cognizance due process clause forced reach conclusion cause action even obtain injunctive relief petitioners randomly selected names louisville telephone directory inclusion active shoplifters flyer course even person arrested constitutionally sufficient basis justify state treating criminal mere fact man arrested little probative value showing engaged misconduct arrest shows nothing someone probably suspected person apprehended offense formal charges filed arrested person released without trial whatever probative force arrest may normally dissipated schware board bar examiners constitutional presumption innocence requirement conviction crime must based proof beyond reasonable doubt safeguards criminal trial obviously designed least part give concrete meaning fact one point flyer also indication hese persons arrested active various criminal fields high density shopping areas stated purpose flyer businessman may inform security personnel watch subjects ante emphasis supplied indeed opinion confuses two separate questions whether reputation liberty property interest whether particular context state action respect interest violation due process ante assuming reputation cognizable liberty property interest every defamation public official offense due process clause fifth fourteenth amendment today holding places vast arbitrary power hands federal state officials difficult conceive police department dissatisfied perceives dilatory nature lack efficacy judicial system dealing criminal defendants publishing periodic lists active rapists active larcenists known criminals hardships resulting official stigmatization loss employment educational opportunities creation impediments professional licensing imposition general obstacles right free men pursuit happiness often severe actual incarceration today invites condones lawless action wish inflict punishment without compliance procedural safeguards constitutionally required criminal justice system one questionable assertions made suggests liberty property interests protected recognized state law protected one specific guarantees bill rights ante sure held roperty interests created constitution rather created dimensions defined existing rules understandings stem independent source state law rules understandings secure certain benefits support claims entitlement benefits board regents roth emphasis supplied see also goss lopez however also clear federal government example creates entitlement benefit infringe person enjoyment property interest without compliance dictates due process moreover never restricted liberty interests manner today attempts due process clause fifth amendment like due process clause fourteenth amendment protects liberty interests content liberty clauses never thought depend recognition interest state federal government never restricted interests explicitly recognized provisions bill rights attempted define exactness liberty guaranteed fourteenth amendment term received much consideration included things definitely stated without doubt denotes merely freedom bodily restraint also right individual contract engage common occupations life acquire useful knowledge marry establish home bring children worship god according dictates conscience generally enjoy privileges long recognized essential orderly pursuit happiness free men meyer nebraska board regents roth supra strange hold interest one good name reputation embraced within concept liberty property fourteenth amendment yet hold interest recognized state law sufficient overcome specific protections first amendment see gertz robert welch time firestone ante insensitivity constitutional dictates particularly evident declares respondent never brought trial guilt innocence offense shoplifting never resolved ante hard conceive devastating flouting presumption innocence bedrock axiomatic elementary principle whose enforcement lies foundation administration criminal law winship quoting coffin moreover even person convicted crime mean actively engaged activity course oversights typical today opinion compare discussions goss lopez ante infra discussions wisconsin constantineau ante infra example addition statements already quoted text dissenters observed commission thus bears close resemblance certain federal administrative agencies agencies one salient feature common distinguishes designed simply expose none final arbiter anyone guilt innocence rather plays preliminary role designed usual course events initiate subsequent formal proceeding accused enjoy full panoply procedural safeguards reason agencies otherwise practicably pursue investigative functions required follow adjudicatory procedures although respect commission different federal agencies discussed ready say collateral consequences opprobrium may circumstances entitle person right consistent commission efficient performance investigatory duties public say rebuttal however commission procedures far niggardly respect may brethren understand complaint allege fact commission acts primarily agency exposure rather one serves ends required state statutes although believe complaint reasonably thus construed area disagreement us may small nonexistent even recently goss lopez recognized students may suspended school without accorded due process safeguards explicitly referred liberty interest reputation implicated suspensions based upon fact suspension certain actions stigmatize student due process clause also forbids arbitrary deprivations liberty person good name reputation honor integrity stake government minimal requirements clause must satisfied wisconsin constantineau board regents roth supra school authorities suspended appellees school periods days based charges misconduct sustained recorded charges seriously damage students standing fellow pupils teachers well interfere later opportunities higher education employment apparent claimed right state determine unilaterally without process whether misconduct occurred immediately collides requirements constitution similarly idea language board regents roth supra quite inconsistent notion defamation perpetrated government official unconnected refusal rehire actionable ante borders absurd roth like goss explicitly quoted language constantineau today denigrates ante clear roth focusing stigmatization said due process safeguards required situations purpose notice hearing provide person opportunity clear name emphasis supplied found requirement due process safeguards present case suggestion whatever respondent good name reputation honor integrity stake see also arnett kennedy opinion rehnquist iberty offended dismissal employment instead dismissal based upon unsupported charge wrongfully injure reputation employee purpose hearing case provide person opportunity clear name fact stigma imposed government terminating employment government employee may make existence state action unquestionable surely detract fact operative liberty concept relates official stigmatization individual whether imposed government status employer otherwise similar insensitivity exhibited declares respondent pointed specific constitutional guarantee safeguarding interest asserts invaded ante gravamen respondent complaint stigmatized criminal without constitutional protections designed prevent erroneous determination criminal culpability import cases obvious impact official stigmatization criminal lost appeals case label active shoplifter carries badge disgrace criminal conviction moreover direct statement law enforcement officials persons included flyer presently pursuing active course criminal conduct done without slightest regard due process notice opportunity heard prior distribution flyer appellant others never accorded opportunity refute charges criminal proceeding goes without saying police chiefs determine guilt innocence accused administrative proceeding determination made law harm apparent branding done law enforcement officials full power prestige authority positions little doubt person standing associations community damaged seriously law enforcement officials brand active shoplifter accuse continuing course criminal conduct group criminals distribute name photograph merchants businessmen community acts direct devastating attack good name reputation honor integrity person involved fact arrest without may impair cloud person reputation michelson acts part law enforcement officials may result direct economic loss restricted opportunities schooling employment professional licenses menard mitchell app light conviction state may condemn individual criminal without following mandates trial process need address question whether independent right privacy yield result indeed privacy notions appear inextricably interwoven considerations require state single individual punishment outside judicial process essentially core concept state broadcast even factual events occurrence arrest culminate conviction legitimate law enforcement justifications since state chargeable knowledge many employers treat arrest conviction deny individual employment opportunities basis fact probative value respect actual criminal culpability see michelson schware board bar examiners host state federal courts relying privacy notions presumption innocence begun develop line cases holding substantive limits power government disseminate unresolved arrest records outside law enforcement system see utz cullinane app tarlton saxbe app dooley supp ed menard mitchell supp dc rev grounds app kalish supp pr davidson dill eddy moore app fear today decision nascent doctrines never opportunity full growth analysis since appeals address respondent privacy claims since substantial briefing oral argument point pronouncements certainly unnecessary course sensitive privacy interests individuals erroneously caught criminal justice system certainly free adopt adhere higher standards state law see michigan mosley brennan dissenting justice white concur