Massachusetts v. Feeney
Docket: 76-265
Court: Supreme Court of the United States; November 8, 1976; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court
The Supreme Court of the United States has certified a legal question to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts regarding the authority of the Massachusetts Attorney General to appeal a District Court judgment. The case originated from Helen B. Feeney's challenge against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically targeting the constitutionality of the Massachusetts veterans' preference statute. The District Court ruled against the statute, and the Attorney General filed a Jurisdictional Statement on behalf of the state officers involved, indicating an intention to appeal. However, the Personnel Administrator and members of the Civil Service Commission expressed that the appeal was not authorized by them and requested its dismissal. This was supported by a stipulation from both the Attorney General and the attorney for Feeney. The Supreme Court identified a lack of clear precedent in Massachusetts law regarding the Attorney General's ability to pursue an appeal without the consent of the state officers affected by the judgment. Consequently, the Court certified a question to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court asking whether Massachusetts law permits the Attorney General to appeal against the wishes of the state officers. Justice Blackmun expressed a view to dismiss the appeal due to jurisdictional concerns.