Supreme Court of the United States
Parratt v. Taylor
May 18, 1981451 U.S. 527
Summary
The Court held that negligent conduct by state officials can support a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, but that a random and unauthorized negligent loss of property does not violate procedural due process when the State provides an adequate postdeprivation remedy. Because Nebraska provided a tort claims procedure capable of fully compensating the respondent and a predeprivation hearing was impracticable, the Court reversed the judgment awarding relief. No separate opinions were included in the record.
Holding
- Whether negligence can support a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.. Section 1983 does not contain an express state-of-mind requirement, and negligent conduct by a person acting under color of state law is not categorically excluded from § 1983 liability if it deprives the claimant of a federally protected right.
- Whether the negligent loss of property violated procedural due process despite Nebraska's postdeprivation remedy.. A random and unauthorized negligent deprivation of property by a state employee does not violate procedural due process when the State could not practicably provide a predeprivation hearing and provides an adequate postdeprivation remedy capable of compensating the loss.
Docket 79-1734