Ward v. Village of Monroeville

The Mayor or Monroeville was responsible for all village finances and was also authorized to sit as the judge. The Mayor convicted and fined petitioner for traffic violations. Almost half of the village funds were derived from the fines and fees imposed by the Mayor’s court. Petitioner filed complaint stating he was denied a trial before an impartial judge contrary to the Due Process Clause under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Holding

Petitioner’s due process rights were violated because he is entitled to a hearing before a disinterested and impartial judge. The mayor was neither.

You can read the full text of the decision here.