Document: 520 U.S. 751117 S.Ct. 1673137 L.Ed.2d 1001 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.George LaBONTE, Alfred Lawrence Hunnewell, and Stephen Dyer. No. 95-1726. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Jan. 7, 1997. Decided May 27, Syllabus * Title 28 U.S.C. §994(h) directs Sentencing Commission to "assure'' that its Guidelines specify a prison sentence "at or near maximum term authorized for categories of'' adult offenders who commit their third felony drug offense violent crime. The sought implement this directive in "Career Offender Guideline,'' Manual §4B1.1. That Guideline initially failed designate which "maximum term'' sentencing court should use when federal law establishes basic statutory persons convicted particular offense, but also provides an enhanced penalty career same offense. District used such enhancement respondents, each whom was felonies qualified as offender under After First Circuit affirmed convictions sentences, adopted Amendment 506, which, inter alia, altered §4B1.1's commentary preclude consideration enhancements. One Judge found 506 contrary refused reduce sentences respondents Dyer another judge upheld amendment reduced respondent LaBonte's term. consolidated ensuing appeals held §4B1.1, construed reasonable implementation §994(h)'s directive. Held: is inconsistent with plain unambiguous language therefore must give way. Stinson v. States, 508 36, 38, 113 1913, 1915, 123 598. Assuming Congress said what it meant drafting §994(h), giving words "ordinary meaning,'' Moskal 498 103, 108, 111 461, 465, 112 449, phrase authorized'' be read include all applicable Respondents' argument refers only highest by conviction, excluding any enhancements, has little merit. Their assertion ambiguous based, at least part, on strained flawed construction "categories defendants.'' claim satisfies Congress' mandate repeat near'' rejected. Although unquestionably permits certain degree flexibility upward downward departures adjustments, does not license select relevant different from congressionally Finally, unmoved respondents' heavy reliance Commission's inapposite assertions avoids unwarranted double counting prior offenses eliminates disparity associated variations exercise prosecutorial discretion seeking penalties. Pp. ____-____. 70 F.3d 1396, reversed remanded. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, JJ., joined. BREYER, filed dissenting opinion, STEVENS GINSBURG, Michael Dreeben, Washington, DC, petitioner. David N. Yellen, respondents. Justice THOMAS Court. 1 In directed (Commission) We are asked decide whether, authorized,'' (1) available conviction including argues, (2) without determined. conclude interpretation language, hold 2 A 3 1984, created charged "establish[ing] policies practices Federal criminal justice system.'' §991; see Mistretta 488 361, 367-370, 109 647, 652-654, 102 714 (1989). Commission, however, granted unbounded discretion. Instead, articulated general goals imposed upon variety specific requirements. See §994(b)-(n). Among those requirements, Commission: 4 "shall assure guidelines imprisonment defendants defendant eighteen years old older and- 5 " been is- 6 (A) crime violence; 7 (B) described section 401 Controlled Substances Act (21 841) . ; 8 previously two more [such] '' §994(h). 9 promulgating table total levels calculating "career offenders.'' §4B1.1 (Nov.1987) (USSG). Pursuant Guideline, qualifies status automatically placed history "Category VI,'' Guidelines. then assigns appropriate level based so-called "offense maximum.'' 10 When coined maximum,'' defined it, unhelpfully, "the conviction.'' USSG App. C, amend. 267 (Nov.1989) (adding comment., n. 2). Neither Career itself, nor accompanying commentary, designated established provided offense.1 Courts Appeals, required choose between maximum'' base sentence, plus uniformly concluded term.2 11 subsequently amended Guideline's enhancements Rejecting approach prevailing as: 12 violence controlled substance increase provision applies because defendant's record (Nov.1994) (amending 13 authority §994(u), opted retroactive effect, providing courts before amendment's November 1, 1994, effective date. §1B1.10(c) (Nov. 1996). B 14 Prior adoption George LaBonte, were various Maine. Each (Nov.1987), had received notice would sought, sentenced using enhancement. respondent's sentence. Following reduction his cases 21 §841(b)(1)(C) sentences. case, divided panel, applying set forth Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 104 2778, 81 694 (1984), 1403-1409 (1st Cir.1995). looked "f[ou]nd no clear congressional regarding meaning "maximum' 994(h).'' Id., 1406. court's view, word "maximum'' influenced presence [certain] 1404 (bracketed original). While acknowledging could apply exclusively category government seek enhancement, observed "categories'' plausibly "to (or offenders) transgressing statute, regardless whether prosecution chooses invoke sentence-enhancing mechanism against defendant.'' 1404-1405 (emphasis added). Under latter reasoned, necessarily refer unenhanced "since represents possible category.'' 1405. 15 Based perceived ambiguity, explained through prism adopts entirely plausible version categorical statute suggests.'' 1407. thus command 1409. 16 validating here reached conclusion Ninth later did Dunn, 80 402, 404 (1996). Five other have opposite conclusion, finding odds §994(h).3 certiorari resolve conflict, 518 ----, 116 2545, 135 1066 (1996), now reverse. II 17 delegated "significant formulating guidelines'' offenders. Mistretta, U.S., 377, S.Ct., 657-658. Broad may be, bow directives Congress. determining accurately reflects intent, we turn, must, language. If revised Cf. 598 (1993) (explaining "is authoritative unless violates Constitution statute''). 18 violence, prescribe authorized.'' do start premise imprecise. assume legislation, meant. Giving 449 (1990), find most naturally connotes "greatest quantity value attainable given case.'' Webster's New International Dictionary (2d ed.1958); Black's Law 979 (6th ed. 1990) ("The greatest amount, quality, value, degree''). similarly conclude, parties dispute, "term period incarceration specified Guidelines, permitted statutes.4 Accordingly, requiring "highest'' "greatest'' allowed statute. 19 Respondents, argue merit contention. prescribed sufficient merely identify expressly penalties effort treat them harshly than Section 994(h) explicitly refers, example, §841, 20 years'' traffickers, adds [i]f person commits violation after become final, shall 30 years.'' §841(b)(1)(C). Where enacted first-time nonqualifying offenders, qualifying enhanced, base, As consequence, years-the maximum-not years. They can broadly encompass violating statute-including Government file §851(a)(1) ineligible supra. defendants'' way, argue, broader "category'' permit within category. serious flaws reasoning. First, overinclusive subsumes single both not. scheme, obviously contemplates distinct free ignore distinction made distributed substances whose distribution directly resulted death user. See, e.g., Thus, §851(a)(1), here, For receive notice, applies. 22 Second, suggest largely eviscerate statutes §841. unwilling essentially rendering meaningless entire provisions refers. novel construction, felon never §851(a)(1). Indeed, if adopted, forbidden imposing penalty. surely establish render virtual nullity. 23 Respondents further circumvent claiming authorized. afforded near,'' contend, justifies decision rely maximum. This adjustments. pertinent issue, how close maximum, close.'' Fountain, 83 946, 952 (C.A.8 1996), cert. pending, 96-6001. Whatever latitude affords deciding come "near'' term.5 24 heavily stated justifications choosing unmoved. asserted that, precluding "avoids counting'' offenses. 59 Fed.Reg. 608, 609 (1994). beside point. instructed closely track number steps employs achieve requirement unimportant, results 25 "unwarranted convictions.'' Ibid. understand posits one defendant, another, resulting difference disparity.'' Insofar prosecutors, practical matter, able determine will subject similar prosecutor exercises he decides what, any, charges bring suspect. Such integral feature system, appropriate, so long improper factors. Armstrong, 517 ---------, 1480, 1485-1486, 134 687 (1996); Wayte 470 598, 607, 105 1524, 1530-1531, 84 547 (1985). Any foreseeable-but hardly improper-consequence requirement.6 III 26 sum, requires once taken into account. reverse judgment below remand case proceedings consistent opinion. 27 It ordered. GINSBURG join, dissenting. 29 interpreted three words-the authorized''-to mean provision[s]'' recidivists. §994(h); (Nov.1995) majority finds unlawful. believes unambiguous; they susceptible interpretation; except recidivist provisions. my ambiguous. demand answer question "authorized what? itself tell us "what.'' Nor otherwise "directly [speak] precise [Guideline] issue.'' 842, 2781, (1984); Smiley Citibank (South Dakota), A., 1730, light defer views about write; uphold written permissible statute.'' Chevron, supra, 843, 2782. 31 32 To legal issue us, keep mind work. themselves rules acting Reform 1984 (Sentencing Act), Pub.L. 98-473, §217, 98 Stat.2017-2026, amended, §§991-998. generally create honest system (through elimination parole, §218(a)(5), Stat.2027) fairer reducing "unjustifiably wide range [previously upon] histories, crimes, committed circumstances,'' pre-existing indeterminate sentencing. S.Rep. 98-225, p. 38 (1983). 366, 651-652. 33 At time, disparity, "sacrific[e] proportionality''-the principle conduct greater severity punished less conduct. Supplementary Report Initial Policy Statements (June 1987) (Supplementary Report). §3553(a)(2) (sentences "reflect seriousness offense'' "provide just punishment''); §§994(a)(2) (g). proportionality factors make provide way account Yet list long, interaction impossibly complex, strike compromise need hand simple enough administered. ch. pt. A3 (Policy Statement). upshot balances various, sometimes conflicting, goals, proportionality, administrability. 34 divide categories: "offense'' characteristics "offender'' characteristics. §1B1.1. first look "offense.'' consider behavior engaged convicted. assign number-called "Base Offense Level''-to constituted itself. —(For Base Level: robbery. §2B3.1(a).) next crime; adjustments aggravating features behavior-which call "Specific Characteristics.'' robber gun, six levels. §2B3.1(b)(2)(B).) 35 turn §994(d)-features, crime, criminal. particular, "points'' determined important characteristic, namely, offender's behavior. These points correspond Criminal History Categories. is, led months, points, places Category II. §4A1.1(a), id., 5, (table).) 36 level'' offender, (after making adjustments) consult table, rows consist "levels'' columns "Categories.'' intersection row column normally indicate narrow months imprisonment. lies 70-87 ordinary indicated range. 37 I say "in case'' almost govern typical cases. §3553(b); §§991(b)(1)(B), 994(b)(2) (requiring strict limits judge's cases). depart atypical case-one outside "heartland'' embodying individual describe. A4(b); Koon 2035, 2044-2046, 392 "departure authority'' anticipate every situation. "there exists mitigating circumstance kind, degree, adequately guidelines,'' impose §991(b)(1)(B). pointed out, Act's "detailed instructions A2 §§994(c) (d). Twenty-five subsections, §§994(a)-(y), contain these instructions''-instructions "delegat[e] broad rationalize process,'' A2, describe, rough outline, go exercising authority. concerns subsection offender'' subsection. 39 directions subsections. says 40 41 42 43 44 [similar] 45 provision, present purposes, quite complicated appears, follow italicized modify explain words. Rather, describe kind Focus individuals crimes (involving drugs violence) specify, individuals, "a 46 recently rewritten imposes 47 record.'' 2. 48 new works, example: §841 (a) (b). Subsection makes "possess'' "controlled substance,'' cocaine, "intent distribute'' it. (b) sets penalties-both minimum penalties-for (a). Those depend primarily amount recidivism. part (b), namely (b)(1)(B), specifies where cocaine ranges 500 grams kilograms. portion increases life, previous conviction. treats "authorized'' referred "maximums'' provides, last-mentioned part. 49 write Guideline-a looks authorize constitutes authorizes recidivism-perhaps characteristic. sense, tells transform maximums approximate minimums, recidivism provision. say, reads permitting implementing substitutes for, rather supplements, maximum-sentence 50 divides wisdom interpretation. statute's open unambiguously forbid words, themselves, context law, historic background reform, Guideline. ambiguity indicates simply "addressed question.'' 2781-2782. 51 itself-the authorized''-is __-__, immediately subsequent (about Hence remains, what?'' All agree not, top guideline But still, refer? face. 52 possibly controls length legally offender. seems unlikely intended include, §3565(a)(2)- probation-violator up underlying heard anyone while probation minor counterfeiting §471, §2B5.1, approximates 15-year added addition. ante, __. 53 Nor, take governs [m]ultiple imprisonment,'' §3584(a) grants judges "run'' multiple either "concurrently consecutively.'' impose, 20-year count six-count indictment run consecutively, producing 120 related 10-gram sales, even sale separate prosecutor's indictment. (The 120-year imaginary §§3D1.2(d), 3D1.3(b).) No thinks eye toward (the "multiple sentences'' statute) theoretically authorize. 54 majority, arguments correct mentioned, effectively concedes cannot terms potentially fall scope majority's statute-intended avoid application-is neither obvious correct. (Compare __, 4, numerous instances sentence'' §3584(c), uses actual time served result defendant. E.g., §§3582, 3585, 3621, 3624.) And understands engage complex statutes, referent obvious-and main point issue. 55 linguistic (as drafters seem claimed, infra, __) "offenses'' technical referring statutorily "elements.'' Staples 511 600, 604, 114 1793, 1796, 128 608 (1994); Liparota 471 419, 424, 2084, 2087-2088, 85 434 some element §922(g) (felon possession firearm), many but, rather, sentencing-related charge prove trial. Compare §841(a) (defining offense) §841(b) (setting penalties). might technically (a reading leave out enhancements) offenses, say. 56 what'' question. includes fundamental characteristics'' "offender characteristics.'' underlies Guidelines' structure, __-__; embodied authorizing (d); grows pre-Guideline see, Woodson North Carolina, 428 280, 304, 96 2978, 2991, 944 (1976) (plurality opinion); Pennsylvania ex rel. Sullivan Ashe, 302 51, 55, 58 59, 60-61, 82 L.Ed. (1937). surprising distinction; arbitrary, if, picked chosen among contrary, aspect sees as, substitute other, recidivism-based already scattered throughout Code. Of course, supplement 57 helps why i.e., unreasonable differently sweeping overhaul brought Act. objective honesty sentencing, idea actually serve approximately imposed. 56. achieved abolishing parole. thereby transformed pronounced enormous overstatement (given fact spent perhaps one-third one-half parole), real-time spend prison. 30-year years; 5. 46-49; Report, Appendix C. abolished expect "real time'' parole-inflated upon, bank robbers Rather expected adjust reflect henceforth there parole really §994(m). did. 21. contextual indeed conduct-based alone (without enhancements). realized translated "twenty in, approximated, "30 pre-Guidelines (because class (in absence conduct) likely imprisoned circumstances, legislator reasonably assuring three-time recidivists the, worst served. mandating (newly enacted) year nonrecidivist (for large quantities cocaine), ensure (parole based) system. well, career-offender significantly 60 impact characteristics; shows intent significantly; effect contained hence thought operating reference enhancements; explains legislators implicit considered problem us. Or instead mind. says, insist longer purposes alternative achieve. objectives subsection-ensuring increased involving violence-and reform purpose ambiguity. 61 Third, legislative history, insofar relevant, search expression pointless. hanging midair. 3581(b) title 18, Stat.2021 referred-a classified letter-read follows: 62 "Authorized Terms.-The are- 63 Class felony, duration life time; 64 twenty-five 65 (3) C twelve 66 (4) D 67 (5) E 68 (6) misdemeanor, year; 69 (7) months; (8) thirty days; 71 (9) infraction, five days.'' §3581(b). 72 cross-reference classifying help, serves significant fact, eliminated (leaving explicit reference), 99-646, 100 Stat. 3592, "misleading'' "incorrect'' [t]o date, classification referred. H.R.Rep. 99-797, (1986) U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News pp. 6138, 6141. defining offense.'' But, seen, view matter conclusive. __-__. 73 historical explanation occurred. subsection, like originated rewrite S. 94th Cong., 1st Sess. (1975); 1437, 95th 2d (1978); 1630, 97th (1981). attached letter substantive letter; penalty, characterized provision-an opiate crime-as felony; 25-year 95-605, 798, 801 (1977). law. Congress, instead, provisions, included purpose. 74 help reference. reader still predominating focus increasing offenders' natural omitting provisions) insistence major subsection's picking provisions). provision's 75 wrong argues "eviscerate[s] §841.'' Ante, 841 recidivists, yield "nonrecidivist'' cap imposed, (20 grams). Consequently, higher reaches beyond Guideline). (table), (table). faces warranting departure upward. §3553(b). And, important, especially dangerous (say, maximums. §2D1.1(a)(1). 76 anywhere else indication open-ended "authorized.'' 77 "decide owed deference 6, believe is. "an agency's administers,'' clearly addressed intends consequent 78 "ambiguity resolved, foremost, agency, desired agency (rather courts) possess whatever allows.'' 843-844 [104 2781-2783]. 1733. 79 inference sense case. "judicial branch'' Government, §991(a); 384-397, 661-668, carry task rule-making tasks often administrative agencies. overall sweeping. §994(f) ("providing certainty fairness disparities''); §991(b). Without authority, reconcile objectives-of uniformity, administrability-nor host instructions. §994. Thus very nature task, along structure Act, delegate job interpreting, harmonizing, instructions-subject, judicial supervision review undertake agency. implied so. 44-45, 1918-1919, (1993); cf. 393-394, 665-666. Were ask "policy'' choice "reasonable,'' "permissible,'' 843-844, 866, 2781-2783, 2793. considerable interpretive leeway heart policy-related "expertise.'' Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation LTV Corp., 496 633, 651-652, 110 2668, 2679, 579 (1990) (" [P]ractical expertise principal behind deference''); Commodity Futures Trading Comm'n Schor, 478 833, 845, 106 3245, 3253-3254, 92 675 (1986). here-its Guideline-meets requirement. policy, interfere objectives-greater uniformity 994(f). enhancements-the §841(b)-may files document requesting §851(a). power hands sentence; prosecutors times ways. prosecut[orial] discretion,'' 23608, 23609 (1994) furtherance overriding objective. counters "any suspect.'' reply overlooks basing punishments diminish §1B1.3. recognized diminishing, aggravating, situated defendants. support competing interpretations-in comparative effectiveness furthering punishment (deterrence, incapacitation, deserts, rehabilitation), §3553(a); §994(a)(2); A3, costs real resources. §994(g). better balanced objectives. Consider (non-Career Offender) (with distribute) dose 400 years) well instruction "substantial terms'' 175). costs, advancing punitive generally, 71, (predicting 8-10% populations 1987 2002 due solely effects subsection). believed coherent basically recreated maximums, folding additional represented Supra, 86 discussion policy reason regrettable. interferes legitimate competing, forth. Code contains highly group statutes. wrote creating continues revising may, easy gone before. understood complex. importance goals-a rational courts, interpreting recall grant arm branch States,'' §991(a), discretionary necessary them. allow interpret 87 affirm Appeals. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499 (1906). note imposition automatic. information notifying advance trial acceptance plea) lower applied though eligible Smith, 984 F.2d 1084, 1087 (C.A.10), denied, 510 873, 204, 126 161 Garrett, 959 1005, 1009-1011 (C.A.D.C.1992); Amis, 926 328, 329-330 (C.A.3 1991); Sanchez-Lopez, 879 541, 558-560 (C.A.9 1989). McQuilkin, 97 723, 731-733 96-6810; Branham, 835, 845-846 (C.A.6 1996); Hernandez, 584, 595-601 (C.A.7 Nos. 95-8469, 95-9335; 950-953 96-6001; Novey, 1483, 1486-1488 (C.A.10 95-8791. authorized' backg'd our affect district calculation Contrary dissent's suggestion, §3584 3584 instructs imprisonment'' consecutively concurrently; nothing calculated. dissent highlights, post, treated single, aggregate imprisonment.'' §3584(c) sections cited falls "administrative purposes'' carve-out, undercuts, plainly bolsters, Respondent's R.L. C., 503 291, 1329, 117 559 (1992), inapposite. There, §5037(c), ordered juvenile delinquent extend tried adult.'' upper limit 306-307, 1338-1339. R.L.C. involved court, whereas Commission. Because designed cabin promulgation circular complied specifying recognizes Inasmuch unambiguous, (1984).

Category: 0