Herbert F. Carls, Plaintiffs-Appellants v. the Civil Service Commission of the State of New Jersey…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division's dismissal of the appellants' petition, holding that the Civil Service Commission's reclassification action was properly reviewed by direct appeal under Rule 3:81-8 (now R.R. 4:88-8) rather than by a petition for declaratory judgment, and that the reclassification did not constitute a demotion, did not impair the appellants' substantial rights, and did not violate the constitutional merit provision. The Court emphasized the broad statutory reclassification authority of the Commission and the lack of any arbitrary or capricious exercise of that power.