parratt taylor argued march decided may respondent inmate nebraska prison ordered mail certain hobby materials delivered prison packages containing materials lost normal procedure receipt mail packages followed respondent brought action federal district petitioner prison officials recover value hobby materials claiming petitioners negligently lost materials thereby deprived respondent property without due process law violation fourteenth amendment district entered summary judgment respondent holding negligent actions state officials basis action petitioners immune liability deprivation hobby materials implicated due process rights appeals affirmed held respondent stated claim relief pp action initial inquiry must focus whether two essential elements action present whether conduct complained committed person acting color state law whether conduct deprived person rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws pp although respondent deprived property color state law sufficiently alleged violation due process clause fourteenth amendment deprivation occur result established state procedure result unauthorized failure state agents follow established state procedure moreover nebraska tort claims procedure provides remedy persons suffered tortious loss hands state respondent use procedure fully compensated respondent property loss sufficient satisfy requirements due process pp rehnquist delivered opinion burger brennan stewart white blackmun stevens joined stewart post white post blackmun post filed concurring opinions powell filed opinion concurring result post marshall filed opinion concurring part dissenting part post kirk brown assistant attorney general nebraska argued cause petitioners brief paul douglas attorney general kevin colleran appointment argued cause filed brief respondent briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed state arizona et al robert corbin attorney general arizona mcfarlane attorney general colorado carl ajello attorney general connecticut david leroy attorney general idaho tyrone fahner attorney general illinois theodore sendak attorney general indiana thomas miller attorney general iowa robert stephan attorney general kansas frank kelley attorney general michigan warren spannaus attorney general minnesota william allain attorney general mississippi john ashcroft attorney general missouri paul robert otto john morris assistant attorneys general gregory smith acting attorney general new hampshire robert abrams attorney general new york rufus edmisten attorney general north carolina allen olson attorney general north dakota william brown attorney general ohio james brown attorney general oregon harvey bartle iii attorney general pennsylvania daniel mcleod attorney general south carolina mark mierhenry attorney general south dakota william leech attorney general tennessee robert hansen attorney general utah chancey browning attorney general west virginia john troughton attorney general wyoming state hawaii wayne minami attorney general james dannenberg deputy attorney general americans effective law enforcement et al fred inbau wayne schmidt frank carrington james manak theodore sendak attorney general indiana commonwealth massachusetts francis bellotti attorney general roberta thomas brown assistant attorney general state texas mark white attorney general john fainter first assistant attorney general richard gray iii executive assistant attorney general barbara marquardt assistant attorney general state new jersey john degnan attorney general stephen skillman assistant attorney general joseph maloney george fisher deputy attorneys general gary palm filed brief edwin mandel legal aid clinic amicus curiae urging affirmance bruce ennis filed brief american civil liberties union amicus curiae justice rehnquist delivered opinion respondent inmate nebraska penal correctional complex ordered mail certain hobby materials valued hobby materials lost respondent brought suit recover value first blush one might well inquire respondent brought action federal recover damages small amount negligent loss property predicate jurisdiction district contains minimum dollar limitation authorized congress bring action section met requirements stated claim relief respondent claimed property negligently lost prison officials violation rights fourteenth amendment constitution specifically claimed deprived property without due process law district district nebraska entered summary judgment respondent appeals eighth circuit affirmed per curiam order granted certiorari facts underlying dispute seriously contested respondent paid hobby materials ordered two drafts drawn inmate account prison officials packages arrived complex signed two employees worked prison hobby center one employees civilian inmate respondent segregation time permitted hobby materials normal prison procedures handling mail packages upon arrival either delivered prisoner signs receipt package prisoner notified pick package sign receipt inmate one package addressed supposed sign package released segregation respondent contacted several prison officials regarding whereabouts packages officials never able locate packages determine caused disappearance respondent commenced action petitioners warden hobby manager prison district seeking recover value hobby materials claimed lost result petitioners negligence respondent alleged petitioners conduct deprived property without due process law violation fourteenth amendment constitution respondent chose proceed district even though state nebraska tort claims procedure provided remedy persons suffered tortious losses hands state october district granted respondent motion summary judgment district ruled negligent actions state officials basis action petitioners immune damages actions kind deprivation hobby kit implicate due process rights district explained situation prison officials confiscated contraband negligence officials failing follow policies concerning distribution mail resulted loss personal property respondent loss go without redress app pet cert ii best possible worlds district statement respondent loss go without redress admirable provision contained code governed administration justice jurisdiction better worse however traditions arise common law reasoning establishment precedent system modified statute constitutional amendment judicial decision governs coexisting make extent authority art iv constitution national government early period history nation held federal common law crimes hudson goodwin cranch since erie tompkins general common law applicable federal courts merely reason jurisdiction therefore order properly decide case must deal simply single general principle however principle may abstract complex interplay constitution statutes facts form basis litigation federal courts courts limited jurisdiction must first look act congress confers jurisdiction claims respondent district enactment found provides pertinent part district courts shall original jurisdiction civil action authorized law commenced person redress deprivation color state law statute ordinance regulation custom usage right privilege immunity secured constitution act congress providing equal rights citizens persons within jurisdiction 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 nothing language legislative history limits statute solely intentional deprivations constitutional rights baker mccollan supra suggested simply wrong negligently opposed intentionally committed foreclose possibility action brought explained question whether allegation simple negligence sufficient state cause action elusive appears first blush may well susceptible uniform answer across entire spectrum conceivable constitutional violations might subject action abundantly clear one reason legislation passed afford federal right federal courts reason prejudice passion neglect intolerance otherwise state laws might enforced claims citizens enjoyment rights privileges immunities guaranteed fourteenth amendment might denied state agencies screws case dealt statute imposed criminal penalities acts willfully done construed word setting mean act specific intent deprive person federal right think gloss put word willfully appear moreover provides civil remedy screws case dealt criminal law challenged grounds vagueness section read background tort liability makes man responsible natural consequences actions iii since decision monroe pape supra longer questioned alleged conduct petitioners case satisfies color state law requirement petitioners state employees positions considerable authority seriously contend otherwise inquiry therefore must turn second requirement whether respondent deprived right privilege immunity secured constitution laws deprivation respondent alleges complaint rights fourteenth amendment constitution violated deprived property due process law app respondent claims differ claims us monroe pape supra involved violations fourth amendment claims presented estelle gamble involved alleged violations eighth amendment amendments held applicable virtue adoption fourteenth amendment see mapp ohio robinson california respondent refers right privilege immunity secured constitution federal laws due process clause fourteenth amendment simpliciter pertinent text fourteenth amendment provides section persons born naturalized subject jurisdiction thereof citizens state wherein reside state shall make enforce law shall abridge privileges immunities citizens shall state deprive person life liberty property without due process law deny person within jurisdiction equal protection laws emphasis supplied never directly addressed question process due person employee state negligently takes property cases held due process requires predeprivation hearing state interferes liberty property interest enjoyed citizens cases however deprivation property pursuant established state procedure process offered actual deprivation took place example mullane central hanover trust struck due process grounds new york statute allowed trust company sought judicial settlement trust accounts give notice publication beneficiaries even whereabouts beneficiaries known held personal notice situations required stated notice person due process mere gesture due process recently bell burson reviewed state statute provided taking driver license registration uninsured motorist involved accident recognized driver license often involved livelihood person summarily taken without prior hearing fuentes shevin struck florida prejudgment replevin statute allowed secured creditors obtain writs ex parte proceedings held due process required prior hearing state authorized agents seize property debtor possession see also boddie connecticut goldberg kelly sniadach family finance cases deprivations property authorized established state procedure due process held require predeprivation notice hearing order serve check possibility wrongful deprivation occur however recognized postdeprivation remedies made available state satisfy due process clause cases normal predeprivation notice opportunity heard pretermitted state provides postdeprivation remedy north american cold storage chicago upheld right state seize destroy unwholesome food without preseizure hearing possibility erroneous destruction property outweighed fact public health emergency justified immediate action owner property recover damages action law incident ewing mytinger casselberry upheld fifth amendment due process clause summary seizure destruction drugs without preseizure hearing similarly fahey mallonee recognized protection public interest economic harm justify immediate seizure property without prior hearing substantial questions raised competence bank management bowles willingham upheld face due process challenge authority administrator office price administration issue rent control orders without providing hearing landlords order regulation fixing rents became effective see also corn exchange bank coler mckay mcinnes coffin brothers bennett ownbey morgan cases recognize either necessity quick action state impracticality providing meaningful predeprivation process coupled availability meaningful means assess propriety state action time initial taking satisfy requirements procedural due process stated mitchell grant petitioner asserts right hearing possession way disturbed nonetheless mandated long line cases culminating sniadach family finance fuentes shevin cases said petitioner hold opportunity heard must precede actual deprivation private property import however clear petitioner merely stand proposition hearing must one finally deprived property deal need pretermination hearing full immediate hearing provided usual rule property rights involved mere postponement judicial enquiry denial due process opportunity given ultimate judicial determination liability adequate phillips commissioner omitted justifications found sufficient uphold takings property without predeprivation process applicable situation present one involving tortious loss prisoner property result random unauthorized act state employee case loss result established state procedure state predict precisely loss occur difficult conceive state provide meaningful hearing deprivation takes place loss property although attributable state action color law almost cases beyond control state indeed cases impracticable impossible provide meaningful hearing deprivation mean course state take property without providing meaningful postdeprivation hearing prior cases excused requirement rested part availability meaningful opportunity subsequent initial taking determination rights liabilities case remarkably similar present one bonner coughlin modified en banc cert denied prisoner alleged prison officials made possible leaving door plaintiff cell open others without authority remove plaintiff trial transcript cell question presented whether negligence may support recovery judge stevens writing panel appeals seventh circuit recognized question decided whether said deprivation without due process law ibid concluded seems us important difference challenge established state procedure lacking due process property damage claim arising misconduct state officers former situation facts satisfy literal reading fourteenth amendment prohibition state deprivations property latter situation however even though action color state law sufficient bring amendment play state action necessarily complete case law illinois provides substance plaintiff entitled made whole loss property occasioned unauthorized conduct prison guards may reasonably conclude therefore existence adequate state remedy redress property damage inflicted state officers avoids conclusion constitutional deprivation property without due process law within meaning fourteenth amendment 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 emphasis supplied iv application principles recited case leads us conclude respondent alleged violation due process clause fourteenth amendment although deprived property color state law deprivation occur result established state procedure indeed deprivation occurred result unauthorized failure agents state follow established state procedure contention procedures inadequate contention practicable state provide predeprivation hearing moreover state nebraska provided respondent means receive redress deprivation state provides remedy persons believe suffered tortious loss hands state see neb rev stat et seq tort claims procedure state hears pays claims prisoners housed penal institutions procedure existence time loss question respondent use argued state adequately protect respondent interests provides action state opposed individual employees contains provisions punitive damages right trial jury although state remedies may provide respondent relief may available proceeded mean state remedies adequate satisfy requirements due process remedies provided fully compensated respondent property loss suffered hold sufficient satisfy requirements due process decision today fully consistent prior cases accept respondent argument conduct state officials case constituted violation fourteenth amendment almost necessarily result turning every alleged injury may inflicted state official acting color law violation fourteenth amendment cognizable hard perceive logical stopping place line reasoning presumably rationale party involved nothing automobile accident state official allege constitutional violation reasoning make fourteenth amendment font tort law superimposed upon whatever systems may already administered paul davis think drafters fourteenth amendment intended amendment play role society accordingly judgment appeals reversed footnotes title provides pertinent part whoever color law statute ordinance regulation custom willfully subjects inhabitant state territory district deprivation rights privileges immunities secured protected constitution laws shall fined imprisoned one year death results shall subject imprisonment term years life emphasis supplied petitioners argue even negligent deprivation respondent property occurred evidence record negligence part merit petitioners arguments petitioners personally involved handling packages respondent basic allegation appears subordinates petitioners violated established procedures properly followed ensured proper delivery respondent packages past refused accept actions premised theories respondent superior monell new york city dept social services rizzo goode hand indication record petitioners ever raised district argument loss property caused negligence certainly district consider open question context little factual development trial level accept purposes opinion district assumption petitioners negligent negligence contributed respondent loss arnett kennedy justice white noted importance meaningful postdeprivation hearing referring many cases cases indicate particular interests involved might demanded hearing immediately also reaffirm principle property may taken without hearing time concurring part dissenting part explained mathews eldridge recent years increasingly occasion consider extent due process requires evidentiary hearing prior deprivation type property interest even hearing provided thereafter one case goldberg kelly held hearing closely approximating judicial trial necessary cases requiring type pretermination hearing matter constitutional right spoken sparingly requisite procedures seems extremely doubtful property loss even though presumably caused negligence state agents kind deprivation property fourteenth amendment addressed damages person automobile resulting collision vehicle negligently operated state official hold kind loss deprivation property within meaning fourteenth amendment seems trivialize grossly distort meaning intent constitution even nebraska deprived respondent property constitutional sense deprived without due process law making available respondent reparations remedy nebraska done fourteenth amendment requires context understanding join opinion justice white concurring join opinion reservations stated brother blackmun concurring opinion justice blackmun concurring join opinion case write separately emphasize understanding narrow reach suit concerns deprivation property brought supervisory personnel whose simple negligence assumed record actually proved read opinion applicable case concerning deprivation life liberty cf moore east cleveland also understand intimate sole content due process clause procedural regularity continue believe certain governmental actions even undertaken full panoply procedural protection antithetical fundamental notions due process see boddie connecticut roe wade importantly understand suggest provision postdeprivation remedies ante within state system cure unconstitutional nature state official intentional act deprives person property random unauthorized nature negligent acts state employees makes difficult state provide meaningful hearing deprivation takes place ante rare said intentional acts state employees possible state institute procedures contain direct intentional actions officials required matter due process see sniadach family finance fuentes shevin goldberg kelly majority cases failure provide adequate process prior inflicting harm violate due process clause mere availability subsequent tort remedy tribunals authority employees deliberately inflicted harm complained might well provide due process fourteenth amendment speaks justice powell concurring result case presents question whether state prisoner may sue recover damages alleging violation due process clause fourteenth amendment occurred two shipments mailed lost due negligence prison warden hobby manager unlike believe negligent acts state officials constitute deprivation property within meaning fourteenth amendment regardless whatever subsequent procedure state may may provide therefore concur result approach begins three unquestionable facts concerning respondent due process claim petitioners acted color state law hobby kit falls within definition property alleged loss even though negligently caused amounted deprivation ante goes reject respondent claim theory procedural due process satisfied case state provides postdeprivation procedure seeking redress tort claims procedure decide case ground two reasons first passes threshold question whether negligent act state official results loss damage property constitutes deprivation property due process purposes second suggests narrow wholly procedural view limitation imposed due process clause central question case whether unintentional negligent acts state officials causing respondent loss property actionable due process clause view question requires determine whether intent essential element due process claim done cases applying equal protection clause eighth amendment prohibition cruel unusual punishment intent question given uniform answer across entire spectrum conceivable constitutional violations might subject action baker mccollan rather must give close attention nature particular constitutional violation asserted determining whether intent necessary element violation due process area question whether intent required deprivation life liberty property case example negligence prison officials caused respondent lose property nevertheless hold negligent act causing unintended loss injury property works deprivation constitutional sense thus procedure compensation constitutionally required deprivation connotes intentional act denying something someone least deliberate decision act prevent loss reasonable interpretation fourteenth amendment limit due process claims active deprivations view adopted overwhelming number lower courts rejected due process claims premised negligent acts without inquiring existence sufficiency subsequent procedures provided addition rule avoid trivializing right action provided provision enacted deter real abuses state officials exercise governmental powers make sense open federal courts lawsuits affirmative abuse power merely negligent deed one happens acting color state law see infra appears unconcerned prospect probably implicit belief availability state tort remedies cases view remedies satisfy procedural due process relegate cases official negligence nonfederal forums fact rule make fourteenth amendment font tort law paul davis whenever state failed provide remedy negligent invasions liberty property interests moreover despite breadth state tort remedies claims numerous might first supposed kent prasse per curiam example state prisoner forced work faulty machine sustained injury brought suit prison officials appeals third circuit noted state unfortunately provide compensation injury stated able perceive tort committed state official acting color law sufficient show invasion person right dispositive note allegation defendants violated state criminal law acted bad motive alleged state law enforced defendants approach another advantage avoids somewhat disturbing implication opinion concerning scope due process guarantees analyzes case solely terms procedural rights created due process clause finding state procedures adequate suggests analysis required substantive limitations state action located clause cf paul davis supra assessing claim presented terms substantive aspects fourteenth amendment ingraham wright leaving open question whether corporal punishment public school child may give rise independent federal cause action vindicate substantive rights due process clause due process clause imposes substantive limitations state action proper circumstances limitations may extend intentional malicious deprivations liberty property even compensation available state law however fails altogether discuss possibility kind state action alleged constitutes violation substantive guarantees due process clause consider negligent act kind deprivation implicates procedural guarantees due process clause certainly view negligent acts violative substantive guarantees concludes deprivation yet avoids entirely question whether due process clause may place substantive limitations form governmental conduct sum seems evident reasoning decision today even viewed compatible precedents create new uncertainties well invitations litigate statute already burst historical bounds assuming deprivation hobby kit color state law case agree conclusion state tort remedies provide adequate procedural protection cf ingraham wright remedies adequate afford procedural due process cases corporal punishment students washington davis arlington heights metropolitan housing dev invidious discriminatory purpose required claim racial discrimination equal protection clause estelle gamble held deliberate indifference prisoner serious illness injury part prison officials sufficient constitute infliction cruel unusual punishment eighth amendment also stated accident although may produce added anguish basis alone characterized wanton infliction unnecessary pain ibid estelle gamble thus supports view due process clause requires consideration effect injury loss citizen also intent state official whose actions caused injury loss according webster new international dictionary english language ed deprive dispossess bereave divest hinder possessing debar shut analogous contexts held intent state officials relevant factor consider determining whether individual suffered denial due process lovasco involving preindictment prosecutorial delay held proof prejudice generally necessary sufficient element due process claim due process inquiry must consider reasons delay well prejudice accused similarly baker mccollan reviewed claimed violation due process occurring sheriff arrested individual named arrest warrant failed time realize warrant named wrong person noted state mind defendant may relevant issue whether constitutional violation occurred first place went hold deprivation liberty without due process law reasoned duty investigate every claim innocence constitutional requirement investigation claim ibid relied fact sheriff acted reasonably relying facially valid arrest warrant thus implicitly distinguishing case involving intentional deprivation liberty without cause sure even intentional deprivation property due process claims also must satisfy requirement act sufficiently linked official duties powers constitute state action see infra see williams kelley cert pending bonner coughlin en banc cert denied harper cserr williams vincent jenkins averett kent prasse per curiam see also paul davis suggesting action favor survivors innocent bystander mistakenly shot policeman negligently killed sheriff driving government vehicle occasion express view possibility negligent violations particular constitutional guarantees previously expressed concerns prospect due process clause may become vehicle federal litigation state torts paul davis supra held official action damaging reputation private citizen although actionable tort state law constitute deprivation liberty within meaning fourteenth amendment holding relied principally fact individual interest reputation accorded legal guarantee present enjoyment state law since simply one number interests state may protect injury virtue tort law attention guarantees provided state law least appropriate case involving alleged deprivation property clear hobby kit respondent property also clear state law remedy tort law protects property interferences caused negligence others reasoning paul davis suggest therefore enjoyment property free negligent interference sufficiently guaranteed state law justify due process claim based official negligence state perhaps constitutionalize certain negligent actions state officials criminalizing negligence thus extending guarantee kind interference instead merely created systems civil compensation tort victims sense state law draws clear distinction negligently caused injuries intentional thefts assaults one additional problem purely procedural approach worth noting kent prasse supra third circuit faced claimed deprivation procedural due process prison officials based failure state provide tort remedy official negligence exact claim validated today noted event deprivation work state defendants arguably absence tort remedy heart one constitutional claim defendant suit must state lawmakers immune suit see tenney brandhove legislators edelman jordan eleventh amendment bars suits federal remedy available plaintiffs substantive due process claim grounds claim exist discuss possibility another example presented case hamilton stover cert pending filed involving collision police car another car unpublished order sixth circuit affirmed dismissal resulting action policeman reasoning negligent driving constitute deprivation constitutional rights hamilton stover brief however policeman points employing municipality possess absolute immunity ohio law ohio rev code acts responding emergency call immunity effect cutting remedies reasoning appears deprivation procedural due process actionable federal even intentional injuries inflicted state officials must state action implicate due process guarantees must color state law order actionable area drawn distinction mere torts state officials acts done color law deprived person right secured constitution laws screws plurality opinion douglas discussing criminal analogue codified actionable deprivations must based isuse power possessed virtue state law made possible wrongdoer clothed authority state law ibid quoting classic see also screws supra rutledge concurring result constitution protects right deprived life liberty state officer takes abuse office power emphasis added state officials cause injuries ways equally available private citizens constitutional issues necessarily raised justice douglas put screws fact prisoner assaulted injured even murdered state officials necessarily mean deprived right protected secured constitution laws see rochin california hall tawney corporal punishment students may violated due process amounted brutal inhumane abuse official power literally shocking conscience bellows dainack use excessive force policeman course arrest constitutes deprivation liberty without due process see kimbrough en banc taking intent reckless disregard claimant property state agent violates due process clause fourteenth amendment actionable section carter estelle per curiam see also san diego gas electric san diego brennan dissenting property taken government furtherance public use government entity may forced pay compensation fifth amendment landowner may nevertheless damages cause action fourteenth amendment due process violation section enacted one statutes intended implement fourteenth amendment many years remained section code past two decades however resourceful counsel receptive courts extended reach vastly statute clearly understood commendable purpose longer confined deprivations individual rights intended result become major vehicle general litigation federal courts individuals corporations professor christina whitman recently addressed expansion comprehensive assessment arguable pluses minuses see whitman constitutional torts rev pluses however striking escalation suits state local officials augmented suits based negligent conduct professor whitman noted example civil rights petitions state prisoners federal increased cases see also annual report director administrative office courts reporting increase number societal costs using statute purpose never contemplated high indeed first existence statutory cause action means every expansion constitutional rights increase caseload already overburdened federal courts increase dilutes ability federal courts defend significant rights second every expansion displaces state lawmaking authority diverting federal courts whitman supra justice marshall concurring part dissenting part join opinion insofar holds negligent conduct persons acting color state law may actionable ante also agree majority cases involving claims negligent deprivation property without due process law availability adequate postdeprivation cause action damages state law may preclude finding violation fourteenth amendment part company majority however conclusion adequate remedy available respondent case disagreement majority shortcomings nebraska tort claims procedure rather problem majority application legal analysis facts case significant view respondent state prisoner whose access information legal rights necessarily limited confinement furthermore claim either petitioners officials informed respondent seek redress alleged deprivation property filing action nebraska tort claims procedure apparent failure takes additional significance light fact respondent pursued complaint missing hobby kit prison grievance procedure cases believe prison officials affirmative obligation inform prisoner claims aggrieved official action remedies available state law fail permitted rely existence remedies adequate alternatives action wrongful deprivation property since prison officials represent respondent informed rights state law join judgment case thus although agree much majority reasoning affirm judgment appeals sure state remedies afforded respondent relief available action see ante nonetheless agree majority sufficient satisfy requirements due process ante fact prison officials raise issue availability remedy either district appeals issue first presented petition rehearing filed appeals