Document: 365 U.S. 525 81 S.Ct. 723 5 L.Ed.2d 754 Stephen Franklin REYNOLDS, Petitioner,v.H. G. COCHRAN, Jr., Director of Division Corrections, Florida. No. 115. Argued March 2, 1961. Decided 20, Mr. Claude Pepper, Tallahassee, Fla., for petitioner. George R. Georgieff, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 In 1956 petitioner was convicted grand larceny in Criminal Court Polk County, Florida, and sentenced to serve two years prison. December 1957, with time good behavior, released from prison discharged custody as an absolutely free man. Some months after his release discharge, County prosecutor filed information against charging that he 'has been (2) felonies under laws State contrary Section 775.09, Florida Statutes, 1957 (F.S.A.)1 * peace dignity Florida.' The convictions referred were conviction a 1934 robbery which had also completely served sentence. Upon filing this information, promptly arrested, arraigned and, according judgment trial court, 'did then there freely voluntarily plead guilty Information filed.' court proceeded find 'guilty offense Second Offender' ordered 'said offense, (he) be confined Prison at hard labor term Ten (10) Years.'2 Petitioner later brought original petition habeas corpus Supreme challenging confinement on ground it not authorized by second-offender statute violated both Federal Constitutions several different respects. Despite fact none charges made denied State, dismissed without hearing.3 We granted certiorari consider correctness peremptory denial view serious nature made.4 2 Since is conceded federal questions presented here properly raised passed below, since clear purposes proceeding facts set forth must accepted true,5 we go directly petition. Those clearly stated himself following excerpt rather crudely drawn application corpus: attorney arrive morning date being 20th day February 1958, so informed 'the your 'you do need counsel case.' Counsel would any assistance you petitioner, 'No point calling Doctor man already dead.' 3 'The read off petitioners record asked, You are these convictions, not? saying yes Honor, but I find, 'second offender' sentence Reynolds ten *.' 4 On basis facts, contends, among other things, because sentences imposed upon each prior convictions,6 such violates state constitutional prohibitions ex post facto double jeopardy. It would, course, entirely inappropriate circumstances case posed law. Nor necessary particular Constitution beyond observation they certainly cannot fairly characterized frivolous.7 For think reversed hearing order afford opportunity prove allegations regard another claim—that deprived due process refusal judge grant motion continuance might have retained him.8 Chandler v. Fretag,9 emphatically person multiple offender has right own proceeding. Under case, alleged before Court, decision squarely controlling. those statement Powell Alabama,10 provided our holding Chandler,11 wholly applicable: 'If civil or criminal, arbitrarily refuse hear party counsel, employed appearing him, reasonably may doubted hearing, therefore, sense.' 6 seeks avoid contention even if error deny petitioner's continuance, harmless case. argument offered support admitted only issue proceeding—that previous felony charged information—a lawyer no use him. totally inadequate meet Chandler. Even assuming, not, deprivation accused when privately could ever termed 'harmless error,'12 first place, asked enable him consult truth charge conviction. Thus, allowed it, know found defects precluded its admission multiple-offender proceeding.13 12 significant did require showing defendant derived benefit counsel. 13 proof raise difficult evidentiary problems. See, e.g., Shargaa 102 So.2d 809. Moreover, can presumed second able make successful collateral attack conviction, § 775.09 applied. Cf. Fields 85 609. Secondly, perhaps more importantly, State's factual seems constitute oversimplification matter. For, addition issues mentioned above, appointed represent pointed out involved question statutory construction out, example, never occasion pass whether applied reimprison who satisfied custody. one argued, went say: 'On difference members but, ripe determination here, useful purpose discussing it.'14 indicated permitting 'at time'15 necessarily interpreted mechanically allow hang over defendant's head end natural life.16 course express how should eventually decided courts. But mere existence dramatically illustrates most routine-appearing proceedings inestimable value. Plainly, great value here. indicated, true, retained. He entitled establish allegations. therefore remanded further inconsistent opinion. Reversed remanded. 'A who, having within attempt commit felony, state, government country, crime which, committed commits punishable follows: If subsequent imprisonment less than life longest nor twice prescribed *' Fla.Stat., F.S.A. theory used disclosed quoted recitals judgment, variance normally based. punishment viewed increased last sequence. Here, hand, virtue offenses, third separate offense—to quote Offender.' Because disposition grounds, however, reach constitutionality based theory. event, opinions indicate room considerable doubt authorizes See Cross 96 Fla. 768, 119 So. 380; Washington Mayo, 91 621. issued opinion, disposed order: abovenamed writ respondent above cause, consideration thereof, said same hereby denied.' 363 801, 80 1239, 1146. Cash Culver, 358 633, 634, 79 432, 434, 557; Hawk Olson, 326 271, 273, 66 116, 117, 90 L.Ed. 61. 'Your show Honorable arrest living Valusia DeLand arrested warrant, strength pick up Sheriff Office, Bartow, arresting officer, deputy sheriff Volusia why warrant legal arrest, taken will across five (5) county lines. lines Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceala, into all knowing officer what making for; Your afore counties contends once clutches Record Florida; tried. 'To forced will; way be; better description known Mrs. Sadie M. Bradley, 317 West Minncasata Avenue, D.C. Laird; Law, Lakeland That 18th 1958 n. 1, supra, supplemented provision face least, appears condone imposition penalties late date: shall appear previously crimes either 775.10 prosecuting had, file accusing whereupon cause person, otherwise, inform contained tried law, say not.' Fla.Stat.1957, 775.11, (Emphasis supplied.) 7 problem 'In instant longer subject liberty translated imprisonment, expiration present sentence, again imprisoned committing case?? Surely practice 8 As Fretag, note 9, infra, given pretrial notice Chandler, unnecessary contention. 348 3, 5—6, 4, 75 2—3, 99 4. 9 10 287 45, 69, 53 55, 64, 77 158. 11 pages 9—10, 4—5. 14 Milan 595, 596. 15 6, supra. 16 Ard 166, held nto apply concededly probation between information.

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