Document: 342 U.S. 205 72 S.Ct. 263 96 L.Ed. 232 UNITED STATESv.HAYMAN. No. 23. Argued Oct. 15, 1951. Decided Jan. 7, 1952. [Syllabus from pages 205-206 intentionally omitted] Mr. Robert L. Stern, Washington, D.C., for the United States. Paul A. Freund, Cambridge, Mass., respondent. Chief Justice VINSON delivered opinion of Court. 1 In its 1948 revision Judicial Code, Congress provided that prisoners in custody under sentence a federal court may move sentencing to vacate, set aside or correct any subject collateral attack. 28 U.S.C. (Supp. IV) § 2255, U.S.C.A. 2255.1 2 Respondent, confined at McNeil Island penitentiary Western District Washington,2 invoked this new procedure by filing motion vacate his and grant trial Court Southern California. That had imposed twenty years' imprisonment 1947 forging Government checks related violations law.3 3 motion, respondent alleged he did not enjoy effective assistance counsel guaranteed defendants courts Sixth Amendment. Specifically one Juanita Jackson, principal witness against as defendant case, was represented same lawyer Respondent claims told dual representation no way discovering conflict until after over. It appeared records Jackson testified entering plea guilty but before sentence. Since interests attorney might have prejudiced these circumstances, below, judge dissenting, found allegations respondent's warranted hearing. Respondent's requested issuance an order secure presence such 4 For three days, received testimony connection with issues fact raised motion. This proceeding conducted without notice ordering On basis ex parte investigation, also 'did so only knowledge consent, instance request (respondent).' Pursuant finding, entered denying trial. 5 appeal Appeals Ninth Circuit,4 majority, acting sua sponte, questions adequacy constitutionality Section 2255. The addressed itself provision application writ habeas corpus 'shall be entertained' where has denied relief 'unless it appears remedy is inadequate ineffective test legality detention.' Considering proceedings were proper terms below held, 2255 could adequate case and, alternative, Section, precluding resort corpus, amounted unconstitutional 'suspension' respondent.5 6 rehearing again Court, conceded factual which required Appeals, however, refused either affirm denial accept Government's concession remand hearing present. Instead, treated nullity ordered dismissed proceed district confinement. 187 F.2d 456. 7 We granted certiorari 1951, 341 930, 71 803, 95 1360, review decision must considered nullity, holding stands cases decided other circuits.6 do reconsider concurrent findings both states grounds support attack on raises substantial calling inquiry into their verity. 8 First. need best revealed practical problems arisen administration courts' jurisdiction. 9 Power issue corpus,' most celebrated English law,'7 Judiciary Act 1789, Stat. 73, 81—82. defined term 'habeas common law necessary.8 Although objective Great Writ long been liberation those unlawfully imprisoned, judgment conviction rendered general criminal jurisdiction conclusive proof confinement legal. Such prevented more.9 10 1867, changed commonlaw rule extending 'all person restrained her liberty violation constitution, treaty States', providing facts detention. 14 385. commenting 1867 said: 11 'The effect substitute bare legal seems limit judicial authority common-law practice, act 31 Car. II, chap. 2, more searching applicant put upon oath forth truth matter respecting causes detention, court, determining actual facts, 'dispose party justice require.' 12 '* * prisoner pursuant final States very substance although become necessary look behind beyond record sufficient extent him. *'10 13 Under Act,11 determine whether deprived constitutional rights, resulting incarceration unassailable face record. Act, variety held permit challenge convictions dehors record.12 One aftermath developments great increase number applications filed state prisoners. annual volume nearly tripled years preceding enactment 2255.13 addition large are repetitious14 patently frivolous, serious administrative developed consideration appear meritorious face. Often, wholly lacking merit when compared court. But, since action brought confinement,15 readily available 15 Walker v. Johnston, 1941, 312 275, 61 574, 85 830, illustrates further problem presented alleges claim controverted Northern California, coerced pleading Attorney, assistant deputy marshal Texas. California receiving affidavits officers allegations. reversed, finding Walker's material taking evidence, affidavits.16 Granting resolve issues, involved stationed Texas occurred Texas.17 16 These greatly aggravated few Courts whose territorial major penal institutions located handle inordinate actions far scene homes witnesses solely because fortuitous concentration within district.18 17 Second. Conference States,19 addressing increased business 1942, created committee judges 'to study entire courts.'20 At next session Conference, Committee Habeas Corpus Procedure submitted report. After extensive consideration, recommended adoption two proposed bills, 'procedural bill' containing provisions designed prevent abuse 'jurisdictional bill,' established whereby collaterally court.21 repeatedly reaffirmed approval forerunner 2255.22 18 1944, bills approved behalf Conference. letter transmittal accompanying memorandum, described requiring convicted apply 'instead making they confined.'23 Chairmen House Senate Committees, 'Statement' describing necessity purposes Procedure. Statement, furnished statistics showing detail corpus.24 stressing difficulties encountered hearings rather than sentence, follows: 19 'This section applies Federal sentences. creates statutory consisting movant convicted. nature of, much broader than, coram nobis. broadly covers all situations 'open attack.' As remedy, intended broad corpus.'25 20 While pending, Revision Laws Representatives drafted bill revising Code. Portions dealing conform Conference,26 including modeled According Reviser's Note 2255: 21 restates, clarifies simplifies ancient error provides expeditious correcting erroneous sentences corpus. Its incorporated H.R. 4233, Seventy-ninth (the so-called jurisdictional bill).'27 22 passed reconsidered noted importance securing legislation along lines proposals, chapter Code amendments affecting directed informed interest revised Code.28 23 history shows meet administering courts. Nowhere we find purpose impinge prisoners' rights convictions. contrary, sole minimize affording another convenient forum.29 24 Third. crucial 'with consent' found, now agrees, if case. should contemplated permitted investigation presence. 25 disturbing inadequacies below. determined 'files records' requires cause thereof served attorney, prompt thereon, make conclusions respect thereto.' (Emphasis supplied.) 'hearing,' 'has obvious reference tradition proceedings'.30 opportunity heard, lost something indispensable, however convincing showing.'31 conclude conformity made relating own being 26 hold power district. want thought follow our Ahrens Clark, 1948, 335 188, 68 1443, 92 1898, phrase 'within respective jurisdictions' statute32 prerequisite proceeding. would issuing original Issuance produce auxiliary over Section. 27 inconvenience transporting officials impotent accomplish purpose, least invoke writs appropriate aid jurisdictions agreeable usages principles law.'33 An testify otherwise prosecute 'necessary appropriate'34 exercise finds ample precedent law.35 express language 'court entertain production hearing' negatives leave powerless require case.36 Other conducting outside district.37 existence does not, course, mean automatically produced every accord actions.38 Unlike guilt Amendment, independent validity Whether depends particular Where, here, there events participated, hearing.39 29 Fourth. Nothing shown warrant stage will 'inadequate ineffective' present ineffective', shall remain open afford hearing.40 reach questions. pass question properly unless adjudication unavoidable,41 less anticipate questions.42 30 erred can afforded correctly reversed remanded instead dismissed. Accordingly, opinion. Vacated remanded. 32 BLACK DOUGLAS concur result. 33 MINTON took part 'A claiming right released ground Constitution laws States, impose excess maximum authorized law, attack, time. 'Unless files conclusively show entitled relief, thereto. If jurisdiction, infringement render vulnerable discharge resentence him appropriate. second successive similar prisoner. 'An taken appeals who section, entertained failed sentenced him, Alcatraz affirmed Circuit. 1947, 163 1018. timely. orders motions governed civil rules applicable judgments actions. See Mercado Cir., 1950, 183 486. Privilege suspended, Cases Rebellion Invasion public Safety it.' U.S.Const. Art. I, 9, cl. 2. Martin Hiatt, 1949, 174 350, Barrett Hunter, 180 510, A.L.R.2d 965, expressly constitutional. following circuits suggestion invalid: Smith Reid, D.C.Cir., 89 U.S.App.D.C. 272, 191 491; Meyers Welch, 179 707; Weber Steele, 185 799. And cases, suggesting inadequate: Paglia, 190 445; Howard 186 778; Von Willer, 181 774. Blackstone's Commentaries 129. origins traced Holdsworth, History Law (1926) 108—125; Jenks, Story Corpus, L.Q.Rev. 64 (1902); Longsdorf, Corpus: A Protean Remedy, F.R.D. 179. Ex Bollman, 1807, Cranch 75, 93—94, 554. Watkins, 1830, Pet. 193, 650. Johnson Zerbst, 1938, 304 458, 466, 58 1019, 1024, 82 1461 (federal prisoner); Frank Mangum, 1915, 237 309, 330—331, 35 582, 59 969 (state prisoner). Now 2241 et seq., seq. Moore Dempsey, 1923, 261 86, 43 265, 67 543 (mob domination trial); Mooney Holohan, 1935, 294 103, 55 340, 79 791 (knowing use perjured prosecution); (no intelligent waiver court); Waley 316 101, 62 964, 86 1302 (coerced guilty); rel. McCann Adams, 1943, 320 220, 14, 88 jury Mayo, 1945, 324 42, 65 517, 739 (denial consult counsel). During 1936 1937, average 310 released. By 1944 filings reached 845, per year. Figures tables committees. 242 215—216, 270, 271, infra. figures include Columbia reported. Dorsey Gill, 80 148 857, 862. several districts, up 40% during 1945 repeater petitions. Speck, Statistics Ohio St.L.J. 337, 352 (1949). Price 334 266, 1049, 1356; note 13, supra; Goodman, Use Abuse 313. 1898. Nor heard commissioner. Holiday 313 342, 550, 1015, 1392. Advisory Rules Criminal time judgment. Report (1944) Rule 35. proposal included finally promulgated. Dession, New Procedure: 56 Yale, L.J. 197, 233 (1947). Of prisoners, 63% five eighty-four Courts. And, trials 3% proportion districts run 20% high 65% basic data, compiled supra, six immediately 1948. Again, Columbia. are: (Alcatraz); Georgia (Atlanta); Kansas (Leavenworth); Washington (McNeil Is.); Missouri (Springfield Medical Center). 1922, 42 838, conference chief function comprehensive survey condition proceedings, together recommendations legislation, Congress. 331. (1942) 18. (1943) 22—24. 22; id. (1945) Letter transmittal, dated March 1944. complete description memorandum 'Section refers them, confined, then lies circuit appeals. practicable inability hearing, 'or reasons,' confined. occur dangerous prisoner, York, Penitentiary. cannot court.' Congress, provided: 'No reasons. Where sought concludes prisoner's findings, order, asserted defense corpus.' 4232 S. 1452, 79th Cong., 1st Sess. (procedural bill); 4233 1451, (jurisdictional bill) introduced 6723, 2d Sess., bill, placed circulated among judges. (1946) 21. No bill. statistical data summarized supra. prepared Circuit Judge Stone Stone, considerations 'Most raise involving occurrences judges, attorneys, marshals officials. Obviously, involves interruption duties judge, clerk (one them) attend witnesses. attendance sometimes refute give obviously, safest course. experience demonstrated often petitioner anything think useful, false; such, encouraged out merited punishment. Some realization possible burden gained statement that, while Districts throughout country, small institutions; Even deposition, interference merely lessened degree above danger risked. main disadvantages risk expense convicted; incentive file baseless 'joy ride' away prison expense. 'Balancing these, well important, considerations, advantages outweigh preferable. (escape delivery) conviction, difference degree—of distance therefore, opportunity. expense, highly probable expensive go return returned. petitions, between longer shorter trip (in confinement) 'practicable motion' furnish discretion whom evaluate defeat 'disadvantages' degree.' H.R.Rep.No.2646, 7. A172; H.R.Rep.No.308, 80th (1947) A180. 17—18. S.Rep.No.1559, (1948) 8—10. Parker, Limiting 171, 175. Parker Chairman Morgan 1936, 298 468, 480, 906, 911, 1288. Snyder Commonwealth Massachusetts, 1934, 291 97, 116, 54 330, 336, 78 674. 452 (now 2241, 2241). 1651(a), 1651(a). 34 Adams McCann. 317 269, 272—273, 63 236, 87 268. what "agreeable law," first law. 281, 1058, 1356. 'the efficacious writ.' ad subjiciendum, varieties known Blackstone 'ad prosequendum, testificandum, deliberandum, etc.; remove bear tried wherein committed.' 129—130. 97—98, 36 argued nobis intention adopt lieu usual sense. existed stating 'in of' sense proceeding, like nobis, 27, Further, means follows York recently People Richetti, 302 N.Y. 290, 297 298, 97 N.E.2d 908, 912. 37 Among reported D.C.M.D.N.C.1950, 91 F.Supp. 996, affirmed, C.A.4 184 488; Jones 303; Sturgeon 9; Foster 571; Woolard, D.C.N.D.Ala.1949, 83 521, 178 84; Jones, 177 476; Cherrie 94 (reversed hearing), D.C.Wyo.1950, 90 261, 384; Hurst 835; Moss 438; Doll 175 884; Payne D.C.M.D.Pa.1949, 404; Bowen, D.C.N.D.Ga.1951, 1006; Kratz, D.C.Neb.1951, 999. Second 'hearing' free testify. 445, 448. 38 page 284, 578. Note, 2243, governing requirements actions, practice 39 514, 965. 40 extraordinary withheld pending procedures result followed decisions. Stack Boyle, 1, 6—7, 4—5; Hoy, 1913, 227 245, 240, 57 497; Royall, 1886, 117 241, 734, 868. 41 Alma Motor Co. Timken-Detroit Axle Co., 1946, 329 129, 231, 128; Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 288, 347, 483, 688 (Brandeis, J., concurring). Rescue Army Municipal City Los Angeles, 331 549, 568—569, 1409, 1666; 41, 346—347, 482—483, cited therein.

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