Preiser v. Rodriguez
United States Supreme Court
411 U.S. 475 (1973)
- Written by Robert Schefter, JD
Facts
Rodriguez and other prisoners (prisoners) (plaintiffs) brought a § 1983 action in federal district court against prison officials and the New York State Department of Correctional Services (state) (defendants), alleging an improper denial of good-conduct-time credit, which, if restored, would have resulted in the prisoners immediate release from prison. The state argued that the federal habeas corpus statute, 42 U.S.C. § 2254, provides the specific federal remedy for the prisoners’ action and required the prisoners to first exhaust state remedies. The prisoners argued that the § 1983 claims were permissible and permitted the prisoners to avoid having to first exhaust state remedies. The district court granted the prisoners’ requested relief, and the court of appeals affirmed, holding that there was no reason to prohibit the prisoners’ from seeking relief under § 1983. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)
Dissent (Brennan, J.)
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