Martinez v. California (1979)
- Docket
- 78-1268
- Decided
- 1979-01-01
Summary
Question: Does a statute immunizing parole officials from injuries resulting from parole decisions violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment? Conclusion: No. Justice John Paul Stevens delivered the opinion of the unanimous Court. The Court held that a state statute immunizing parole officials from injuries resulting from parole decisions does not violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The statute does not condone the killing of a human being, but rather it protects parole officials who are required to make a difficult decision. There is always a risk involved in releasing a prisoner, and the parole officer must use his discretion in making the decision. The state has a parole program to promote rehabilitation and it is the duty of the state legislature, not the courts, to decide if that program is rational. Therefore, the suit against the parole officials by the family of a parolee’s murder victim is not actionable.