Document: 430 U.S. 372 97 S.Ct. 1224 51 L.Ed.2d 411 C. L. SWAIN, Superintendent, Lorton Reformatory, Petitioner,v.Jasper PRESSLEY. No. 75-811. Argued Jan. 19, 1977. Decided March 22, Syllabus Respondent, in custody pursuant to a sentence imposed by the Superior Court of District Columbia, applied United States for Columbia writ habeas corpus seeking review constitutionality proceedings that led his conviction and sentence. The dismissed application on basis D.C.Code Ann. § 23-110(g) (1973), which provides an behalf prisoner authorized apply collateral relief motion statute 'shall not be entertained or any Federal State court if it appears applicant has failed make under this section denied him . ..' Appeals Circuit reversed. Doubting statutory curtailment Court's jurisdiction issue writs corpus, construed as merely requiring exhaustion local remedies before petition could filed Court, concluded respondent had exhausted those remedies. Held: 1. Section prohibits from entertaining respondent's postconviction corpus. expressly covers situation remedies, requires entertain such case. Moreover, language was deliberately patterned after 28 U.S.C. 2255, created new remedy sentencing district courts, provided may elsewhere; plainly intended achieve parallel result convictions heard court. Pp. 377-378. 2. does suspend privilege violation Art. I, 9, cl. 2, Constitution. 379-384. (a) final clause 23-110(g), allows 'appears is inadequate ineffective test legality (the applicant's) detention,' avoids serious question about statute's constitutionality. substitution neither nor eneffective constitute suspension writ. Cf. v. Hayman, 342 205, 223, 72 263, 274, 96 L.Ed. 232. P. 381. (b) available simply because judges lack protections III (life tenure salary protection), they must presumed competent decide all constitutional other issues routinely arise criminal cases. 381-383. 169 U.S.App.D.C. 319, 515 F.2d 1290, Solicitor Gen. Robert H. Bork, Washington, D. C., petitioner. Mark W. Foster, respondent. Mr. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 1 Respondent Columbia.1 He asking presented us whether Code2 prevents application.3 2 Congress enacted part Reform Criminal Procedure Act 1970, 84 Stat. 608; system transferred its entirety responsibility processing litigation Columbia.4 23-110 Code established procedure Court; comparable 2255 courts. provides: 3 'An who shall relief, unless also detention.'5 (Emphasis added.) 4 On authority provision, application.6 Largely doubts concerning Court.7 Appeals, unlike loal thus remanded case consideration merits. Government's certiorari we granted, 424 907, 1101, 47 311, did Appeals' conclusion regarding exhaustion.8 5 * There are two reasons why cannot fairly read applying 6 First, requirs applicant) relief.' This unequivocal command federal courts been squarely at odds with view deals only witgh follow he request 7 Second, 2255.9 That section, 1948, 62 967, substituted collateral-review pre-existing procedure. Prior adoption districts prisoners were confined petitions; since obtained. Thus, elsewhere.10 See Just substitute different fourm convictions, respect Columbia. 8 Notwithstanding desirability adopting construction would avoid raised respondent, convinced sufficiently plain require written.11 9 Purpose makes marked deviations custom leads inevitably holding invalidity.' II 10 argues12 110(g), literally, violates Constitution, 11 'The Privilege Writ Habeas Corpus suspended, when Cases Rebellion Invasion public Safety it.' 12 His argument made steps: (1) 'exactly commensurate' within meaning Clause; (2) do enjoy life protection guaranteed III, 1, exactly commensurate 13 Government disputes both propositions. contends provision being used Constitution adopted; time employed attacks judgments entered jurisdiction.13 remedy. 14 We satisfied valid, but rest our decision either broad propositions advanced Government. persuaded statute. detention.' adequate effective should regarded Great obvious answer Hayman: 15 'In where shown 'inadequate ineffective,' remain open afford necessary hearing. Under circumstances, reach questions.' U.S., 274 (footnote omitted). 16 implicitly held hold case, person's detention 17 remains ineffective.' have already exact equivalent Hill States, 368 424, 427, 82 468, 470, 417.14 Since scope §§ same respects save one administer afforded Constitution.15 18 fully cognizant critical importance tenure, particularly required vindicate rights persons found guilty offenses.16 relationship between judicial independence vigorously explained Douglas dissenting Palmore 389, 410-422, 93 1670, 1682-88, 36 342. But, charged crimes tried courts.17 necessarily determines issues, including trial must, therefore, presume tenure.18 19 consistent settled elected state federral their decisions respected applications 2254. Normally judge's resolution factual will correct factfinding adequate.19 It equally permissible correctly resolve demonstrated, accordance ineffective.'20 20 Finding no reason doubt adequacy 23-110, having noted suspended 21 judgment 22 so ordered. 23 POWELL, concurring. 24 I concur In view, however, separate today THE CHIEF JUSTICE, write clear Part incompatible views expressed previously nature Schneckloth Bustamonte, 412 218, 250, 2041, 2059, 854 (1973) (Powell, J., concurring). 25 Chief BURGER, whom BLACKMUN REHNQUIST join, concurring judgment. 26 join However, find unnecessary examine consider way implicates respondenths Suspension Clause, 27 sweep Clause measured reference intention Framers understanding what meant drafted. during 17th 18th centuries described follows: '(O)nce person convicted superior general jurisdiction, disposing go behind purpose than verify formal committing court.' Oaks, Legal History High Corpus, 64 Mich.L.Rev. 451, 468 (1966). 29 common law, compel adherence prescribed procedures advance trial; inquire into cause commitment process; (3) proper jurisdiction. 1789 considered 'a means exercises post-conviction over another like authority.' Id., 451. 30 Dicta contrary Fay Noia, 391, 83 822, 837 (1963), based incorrect historic functions 252-256, 2060-2062, fact defining invariably engaged interpretation, construing actually provided, rather constitutionally provide. Developments Law Harv.L.Rev. 1038, 1268 (1970). Judge Friendly clearly: 31 'It can scarcely doubted protected known framers, chosen expand or, more pertinently, Supreme interpreted did.' Friendly, Is Innocence Irrelevant? Collateral Attack Judgments, 38 U.Chi.L.Rev. 142, 170 (1970) 32 believe provide see dimension question. need important protects A doctrine allowed transfer raise separation-of-powers questions, traditional largely against executive detention. Bator, Mishkin, Shapiro, & Wechsler, Hart Wechsler's Courts System 1513-1514 (2d ed. 1973). agree opinion, namely designed preclude access assure end inquiry there. compulsion so. therefore reverse basis. received concurrent sentences 32-96 months 20-60 following grand larceny Government, 22-2201 22-2206 (1973). now parole. '(a) claiming right released upon ground laws without impose sentence, excess maximum (4) otherwise subject attack, move vacate, set aside, '(b) time. '(c) Unless files records conclusively show entitled notice thereof served prosecuting authority, grant prompt hearing hereon, determine findings conclusions law thereto. If finds rendered there denial infringement render vulnerable vacate aside discharge prisoner, resentence him, trial, appear appropriate. '(d) production '(e) second successive similar prisoner. '(f) An appeal taken order '(g) Pernell Southall Realty, 416 363, n. 4, 94 1723, 1726, 40 198, remained resolved. 392-393, 1673, 342, supra, 367-368, S.Ct., 1725-1726, description background. reorganization, extremely circumscribed. regard cases, instance, misdemeanors petty offenses, left numerous civfil cases proving great burden diverting energies questions national Nation's Capital. S.Rep. 91-405, p. (1969). 1970 alleviate these burdens transferring matters appeals ('the Highest District'), creating analogous States. 'This bring U. S. line exercised several give purely matters.' S.Rep.No. 5. reads pertinent enteratined motion, sentenced original dismissal stated 'does matter, virtue 110(g).' Pet. Cert. 66a. Later, response sua sponte per curiam quoted part, 321, 1292 (1975), system. Appendix 67a-69a. 1290 adopted reasoning developed length en banc 323, 1294 (1975). granted consolidated Palmore, oral argument. suggestion General vacated further light recent Stone Powell, 428 465, 3037, 49 1067, 429 915, 305, 50 280. challenged Fourth Amendment grounds. After affirmed pro se alleging assistance counsel. denying appeal. While pending, although jurisdictional grounds, reached merits affirmed. House Report 'modeled technical changes.' H.R.Rep. 91-907, 117 Senate almost identical language. provisions, contain exception ineffective'; contains exception. infra, 328, F.2d, 1299, gave special 'the principle adjudication decisive choice fair alternatives (which) (be) avoided another.' Rumely, 345 41, 45, 73 543, 545, 770 (emphasis added). Along vein, Hughes noted, 'if raised, cardinal first ascertain possible avoided.' Crowell Benson, 285 62, 52 285, 296, 76 598 Both references 'cardinal principle' caveat resort alternative deciding appropriate course 'fairly possible' 'fair alternative' construction. Here plain. 'any court' 'has relief' Sullivan, 332 689, 693, 68 331, 334, 92 297 applicable: 'A restrictive interpretation given depart giving effect express might face And none foregoing relied, authorizes interpreting meaning. When reasonably prohibit certain conduct, above justifies distortion congressional purpose, even clearly below U.S.App.D.C., 333-335, 1304-1306, suggested possibility unconstitutional equal laws. These assert attack judges, whereas judges. But precisely classification process, constitutional. certainly reasonable collateralreview purposes direct review. rational Act. As proponent 'establishes complete (for Columbia) .. includes all, some, 'local' court,' maximizing potential courts' minimizing 'overlapping jurisdiction.' Statement Associate Deputy Attorney Santarelli, Hearings Reorganization, Procedures, Bail, Public Defender Service, Subcommittee Committee 91st Cong., 1st Sess., (1969, pt. 1). saw 'habeas corpus' overall 14. For discussion enactment much motivated 210-219, 267-272, JUSTICE's reminds broadened beyond limits obtained centuries; cites article observed '(w)hat given, partially take away.' 171 observation cautious totally repeal post-18th century developments area law. event, narrow decision, occasion address discussed JUSTICE. stated: 'Suffice say context legislation confined.' 471 219, 272. 1949, amended inserting paragraph 'Court Congress' States.' 63 105. done 'it applicable Territories possessions.' 352, 81st (1949); U.S.Code Cong. Serv. 1272. III. 402-403, 1678-1679, cited therein. time, motions non-Art. requirement deemed (n)or ex rel. Leguillou Davis, 212 681 (C.A.3 1954). situation, slightly present territorial reviewable appeals, note deprived entirely protection. 1257(3), possesses Appeals. individual opportunities seek whose Members first, affirmance second, resulting 23-110. Indeed, majority '(v)ery early history, enforcement selected III.' 402, 1678. analysis applies protections. Moreover level determined rate 90% levels accorded circuit respectively. 11-703(b), 11-904(b) 2254(d)(2) (3). kind showing demonstrate particular character relevant presenting extraordinary concern.

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