Mesa v. California

489 U.S. 121 (1989)

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Mesa v. California

United States Supreme Court
489 U.S. 121 (1989)

  • Written by Jack Newell, JD
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Facts

Kathryn Mesa (defendant) was a delivery driver for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in California (plaintiff). Mesa hit and killed a bicyclist and was charged with a traffic violation as well as manslaughter. The United States attorney for the Northern District of California petitioned to remove the case to federal court on the ground that Mesa was a federal employee and the accident occurred while she was acting within the scope of her employment. California argued that there must be a federal defense to the crime in order for Mesa to be entitled to removal. The district court granted removal. The circuit court reversed. Mesa appealed to the Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (O’Connor, J.)

Concurrence (Brennan, J.)

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