Curtis v. Loether
United States Supreme Court
415 U.S. 189 (1974)
- Written by Alexis Tsotakos, JD
Facts
Julia Curtis (plaintiff), an African American woman, brought suit against the Loethers (defendants), alleging that they had refused to rent her an apartment because of her race in violation of § 812 of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. In addition to requesting damages, Curtis filed for a preliminary injunction to prevent the Loethers from renting the apartment pending disposition of the trial, and the court granted the motion. When Curtis found housing five months later, she allowed the court to release the injunction. In the Loethers answer, they demanded a jury trial, and the court denied that demand, holding that jury trials were neither authorized by Title VIII nor required under the Seventh Amendment. At trial, the court found that the Loethers had violated Title VIII and awarded Curtis $250 in punitive damages, but no actual damages or attorneys fees. The court of appeals reversed on the jury-trial issue, and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Marshall, J.)
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