Londoner v. Denver
210 U.S. 373, 28 S. Ct. 708, 52 L. Ed. 1103 (1908)
FACTS
-Denver's charter empowered the city to make local improvements and assess the cost upon the properties specially benefited.
-The plaintiffs owned corner lots and were assessed a tax for paving done to the street which their land abutted.
-Under the charter, the city clerk was to notify the owners of real estate to be assessed by publication for ten days in a general circulation newspaper.
-In this case, notice did not fix the time for a hearing, but stated that written complaints filed within thirty days would be heard before the city council before the passage of any ordinance assessing the cost.
-Plaintiffs filed a timely paper with objections, but instead of affording them an opportunity to be heard upon their allegations, the city council's board met and adopted a resolution to assess the tax. -Plaintiffs sought relief from the tax in the State Court of Colorado, claiming the process of assessing the tax denied them due process of law.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The trial court granted relief to the plaintiffs, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the tax assessed was in conformity with the Constitution and the laws of the State.
ISSUE
Was there a denial of due process of law, guaranteed by the Constitution, and was the assessment valid?
HOLDING
-The assessment was void, as plaintiffs were not allowed an opportunity to be heard and therefore denied due process of law.
-The hearing requirement was not met by plaintiffs’ submission of their brief. Due process requires that Plaintiffs have the opportunity to support their allegations by argument and, if necessary, by proof.
-A hearing was denied to plaintiffs in error.
RULES/ANALYSIS
-Few constitutional restrictions exist on states’ power to assess, apportion and collect taxes.
-However, where the legislature authorizes a subordinate body to make a determination of the tax, due process of law that is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the taxpayer be afforded a hearing, of which he must have notice.
-The hearing requirement is not satisfied by the mere right to file objections.
210 U.S. 373, 28 S. Ct. 708, 52 L. Ed. 1103 (1908)
FACTS
-Denver's charter empowered the city to make local improvements and assess the cost upon the properties specially benefited.
-The plaintiffs owned corner lots and were assessed a tax for paving done to the street which their land abutted.
-Under the charter, the city clerk was to notify the owners of real estate to be assessed by publication for ten days in a general circulation newspaper.
-In this case, notice did not fix the time for a hearing, but stated that written complaints filed within thirty days would be heard before the city council before the passage of any ordinance assessing the cost.
-Plaintiffs filed a timely paper with objections, but instead of affording them an opportunity to be heard upon their allegations, the city council's board met and adopted a resolution to assess the tax. -Plaintiffs sought relief from the tax in the State Court of Colorado, claiming the process of assessing the tax denied them due process of law.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The trial court granted relief to the plaintiffs, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the tax assessed was in conformity with the Constitution and the laws of the State.
ISSUE
Was there a denial of due process of law, guaranteed by the Constitution, and was the assessment valid?
HOLDING
-The assessment was void, as plaintiffs were not allowed an opportunity to be heard and therefore denied due process of law.
-The hearing requirement was not met by plaintiffs’ submission of their brief. Due process requires that Plaintiffs have the opportunity to support their allegations by argument and, if necessary, by proof.
-A hearing was denied to plaintiffs in error.
RULES/ANALYSIS
-Few constitutional restrictions exist on states’ power to assess, apportion and collect taxes.
-However, where the legislature authorizes a subordinate body to make a determination of the tax, due process of law that is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the taxpayer be afforded a hearing, of which he must have notice.
-The hearing requirement is not satisfied by the mere right to file objections.
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