In Walton v. Arkansas, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked to consider whether a state law that allowed for the seizure and sale of property without notice or hearing violated due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case involved an Arkansas statute which permitted county collectors to seize personal property for unpaid taxes without providing prior notice or opportunity for a hearing to the taxpayer. The appellant, Walton, had his car seized and sold at auction by local tax authorities under this law after he failed to pay his personal property taxes. The Supreme Court held that such seizures were unconstitutional as they violated procedural due process rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment of Constitution which guarantees all citizens equal protection under law including right against deprivation of life, liberty or property without due process of law. This ruling established important precedent in ensuring adequate legal protections are provided before government can take action affecting individual's private properties.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Walton v. Arkansas argued that the majority's decision was a violation of the petitioner's constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, specifically his right to due process and equal protection under law. The dissenting justices believed that Walton had not been given a fair trial because he was denied access to transcripts from his first trial during his second one, which they saw as crucial for preparing an adequate defense. They also disagreed with how evidence from Walton’s previous conviction was used against him in this subsequent unrelated case, arguing it prejudiced jurors against him unfairly. Furthermore, they felt there were issues regarding jury selection procedures that disadvantaged African-American defendants like Walton. Therefore, these justices contended that by upholding Walton's conviction without addressing these concerns about fairness and prejudice violated fundamental principles of justice and equality before law.