Doe v. Hursh

U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Doe v. Hursh, 328 F. Supp. 1360 (D. Minn. 1970)
1970 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11053

Doe v. Hursh

Opinion of the Court

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO CONVENE THREE-JUDGE COURT

DEVITT, Chief Judge.

On May 18, 1970 the parties argued and submitted the question as to whether a three-judge court should be convened.

I have read the files and records. In my view a three-judge court should not be convened — at least at this stage of the proceedings.

The defendant Hursh denies that he has adopted a “regulation” pertaining to eligibility for AFDC aid. Some of the 87 counties in the state, probably including Ramsey County, may pursue such a policy, but it does not appear to be required by defendants or be of state-wide application. Counsel for the defendants, in a letter dated June 2, 1970, says that:

“ * * jn a majority of instances when AFDC is sought with respect to an illegitimate child, paternity proceedings are not in fact instituted.”

It is well established that a three-judge court is not required where the challenge is to a law or regulation not of state-wide applicability. It appears from the files and records that the challenged paternity regulation employed in Ramsey County is not of state-wide applicability.

The motion for the convention of a three-judge court is denied.

Opinion of the Court

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO CONVENE THREE-JUDGE COURT

DEVITT, Chief Judge.

On May 18, 1970 the parties argued and submitted the question as to whether a three-judge court should be convened.

I have read the files and records. In my view a three-judge court should not be convened — at least at this stage of the proceedings.

The defendant Hursh denies that he has adopted a “regulation” pertaining to eligibility for AFDC aid. Some of the 87 counties in the state, probably including Ramsey County, may pursue such a policy, but it does not appear to be required by defendants or be of state-wide application. Counsel for the defendants, in a letter dated June 2, 1970, says that:

“ * * jn a majority of instances when AFDC is sought with respect to an illegitimate child, paternity proceedings are not in fact instituted.”

It is well established that a three-judge court is not required where the challenge is to a law or regulation not of state-wide applicability. It appears from the files and records that the challenged paternity regulation employed in Ramsey County is not of state-wide applicability.

The motion for the convention of a three-judge court is denied.

Reference

Full Case Name
Mrs. Jane DOE v. Morris HURSH, Commissioner of Public Welfare, State of Minnesota
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published