Document: 352 U.S. 354 77 S.Ct. 481 1 L.Ed.2d 393 Thomas E. POLLARD, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 38. Argued Dec. 3, 1956. Decided Feb. 25, 1957. Mr. Bennett Boskey, Washington, D.C., for the petitioner. Philip Elman, respondent. Justice REED delivered opinion Court. This case concerns validity a sentence imposed on petitioner in September 1954. On 8, 1952, pleaded guilty United States District Court Minnesota to an information charging him with unlawful taking and embezzlement Treasury check violation 18 U.S.C. § 1702, U.S.C.A. 1702. The district judge deferred imposition pending presentence investigation. October appeared before trial at 10 a.m. sentencing. He was then serving state prison, from which he eligible parole following month. stated that probation report showed had taken active interest Alcoholics Anonymous organization told contemplated continuing when released prison. added impressed by fact petitioner, who stolen after two-week drinking spree, revealed what done officer FBI without any effort minimize offense. advised join immediately his release said: 2 '* * if you want revert drinking, will be back here again because commit some federal offense, I won't talking this way are ever me again. 3 'So, good luck hope board give opportunity. 4 'That is all.' 5 turned other business. 6 It clear no explicit reference petitioner's been made during colloquy. But court adjourned 10:30 a.m., apparently left courtroom, assistant Attorney handling matter 7 'Going Pollard morning—I didn't quite understand clearly—is there probationary period Stillwater, or type sentencing? 8 'The Court: commence expiration sentencing Stillwater. 9 'Mr. Hachey: Probation Stillwater—for how long? Three years.' 11 A judgment order entered suspending placing term. Government concedes invalid absence courtroom imposed. Fed.Rules Crim.Proc., rule 43, 12 Petitioner did not receive copy order, despite direction court, but learned prison officials month paroled. begain reporting officer. Nearly two years later, September, 1, 1954, issued bench warrant arrest basis officer's violated terms probation. arrested brought 21, After waiver counsel occurred hearing: 13 What am going do your case, record, first instance: It's confined institution selected General years. That's all. 14 Evarts (Asst. Attorney): Now, Your Honor, as recall, record shows was, would suggest Order setting aside commitment time so now truly reflect status events. 15 All right.' 16 formal entered, years' imprisonment 1952. 17 Petitioner's motion vacate under 28 2255, based upon misapprehension contended that, since 1952 invalid, 1954 also it violation. Actually, course, punishment embezzlement. denied ground '(Petitioner) initially sentenced files records conclusively show said within jurisdiction valid accordance law.' filed notice appeal leave proceed forma pauperis. 'in all respects.' pauperis Appeals Eighth Circuit. examination Court, opinion. granted pauperis, and, deeming issues importance proper administration criminal law certiorari. 350 965, 76 441, 100 L.Ed. 838. We appointed 980, 470, 849. March 1956, petition certiorari granted. relies v. Morgan, 346 502, 512—513, 74 247, 253, 98 L.ed. 248, Fiswick States, 329 211, 220—223, 67 224, 229, 230, 91 196, meeting question mootness suggests. Those cases entirely fours one, challenging legality determination guilt, instead those recognize convictions may entail collateral legal disadvantages future. allowed only sentences. 37. guilt essential imprisonment. think above sufficiently satisfies requirement review where its have material effect. Cf. St. Pierre 319 41, 63 910, 87 1199. possibility consequences substantial justify our dealing merits.1 19 certiorari, pro se, sought reversal denying incarceration.2 unconstitutional order. 20 now, brief, claims determined should imposed, consequently Double Jeopardy Clause Fifth Amendment. alternatively circumstances took place constituted serious departure standards rights speedy Sixth Amendment due process Amendment.3 us adequately states facts final basic issues. Since Appeals' denial involved adjudication merits, i.e., adequate allowance we decided. And conclude deal questions raises, although, represented courts below might well considered neither preserved nor raised petition. Price Johnston, 334 266, 292, 68 1049, 1063, 92 1356. 21 I. contention forbids shortly answered. depends assertion 'should subject probation' plea Without such determination, could double jeopardy. transcript evidence, pertinent parts quoted part opinion, determination. cites words relies. hearing one probation, admittedly absence.4 22 us, too, implication intend acquit dismiss defendant. Within morning session failure make called attention, directed entry instituting There occasion distinguishing between oral pronouncement court. Spriggs Cir., 225 F.2d 865, 868. Nor does situation call correctness has power, statute minimum penalties,5 discharge accused absolutely conviction sentence, suspension grant probation.6 unfortunate inadvertencies lead confusion trials, misunderstanding drawn occurrences vacating later sentence. mishap prisoner's pronounced cannot involved. If valid, actually 3653, 3563; Roberts 320 264, 268 64 113, 115, 88 41. 23 II. contentions relate violations constitutional process, significant administration. disputed power enter succeeding term void previously Miller Aderhold, 288 206, 53 325, 702; cf. Bozza 330 160, 166, 645, 648, 818. To hold otherwise allow escape through accident. 24 argues right Constitution 'speedy' trial.7 takes position assumption remained, held above, uncompleted trial. assume arguendo purposes course judge. Rule 32(a) Federal Rules Criminal Procedure requires 'without unreasonable delay.' 25 Whether delay completing prosecution amounts deprivation circumstances. See, e.g., Beavers Haubert, 198 77, 87, 573, 576, 49 950; Frankel Woodrough, 796, 798. must purposeful oppressive. here. accidental promptly remedied discovered. Nothing indicates discovery error. From issuance violation, normal inference error still unknown although known November 1952.8 akin Petition Provoo (United Provoo), F.R.D. 183, 201, affirmed mem. 857, 101, 761, Judge Thomsen found 'caused deliberate act government' attempted correct. same existed McWilliams, 82 U.S.App.D.C. 259, 163 695, Government's ready persisted nearly defendant's motions In these circumstances, view lapse correction 32(a). Error resulting calls error, accused. Dowd ex rel. Cook, 340 210, 71 262, 95 215. 26 contends disregarded prescribed proceeding. points out evidence prosecuting attorney open judge, inquired counsel. suggests violates 44 Procedure.9 authority, makes suggestion 37(a)(2) were concerning opportunity 'to statement own behalf present mitigation punishment' advice defendant 'not appeal.' irregularities constitute process. While impose persons unlearned high art members profession, too far afield them properly us. papers signed steps, except advising appeal, taken. willing covering notes 'taken place' purely routine statutory requirements followed. 27 leaves unresolved whether proper. lose nothing gained remand even erred appeal. Affirmed. 29 Chief WARREN, whom BLACK, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN join, dissenting. 30 Our duty supervise justice disregard shown procedural petitioner—rights surrounds every person charged crime. 31 law, centuries tragic human experience, man can sent penitentiary, entitled trial, step proceedings, times counsel, speak behalf, informed action against until lawfully sentenced. These mere ceremonials neglected interests crowded calendar expediencies. They rights. bulk large totality guaranteed Here, impecunious defendant, summarily rushed mill benefit them, degree, him. 32 dangerous criminal. His trouble, recognized, intemperance. During long became both authorities. As soon sober enough realize actions, full disclosure officers Bureau Investigation. 33 penitentiary. unlawfully opening letter extracting cashed. pressed about discharged penitentiary.1 guilty. into colloquy concluded follows: 34 You ought know misery grief sorrow horror continued bring you. 35 'If you, giving gratuitous result observation experience—it my get organization—not wait week weeks three weeks—but mission contact family, they tell diligently faithfully, carry obligation With background ability win fight. 36 don't things, 37 38 39 Defendant: Thank very much, sir.' 40 wife, close personal friend custodial concluded, anyone, kindly understanding language ended additional returned Later day, inquiry disposition casually said, 'Three (probation).'2 absent occurred.3 Notice communicated being Naturally, complied. tried discover, officer, why succeeded convincing 'sentence' legal. Again, year requested investigate. discovered truth assertions. Though recognized irregularity suggested wise pursue matter—that further complications develop. 41 appearance sentencing, lapsed fight excessive drinking. Reported violator, disposed most summary style. Assistant obtained waiving required appointment desired. 44. apprised beforehand illegality 42 43 (Prosecuting 45 total invalidity events treated crime infirmities. delayed comports Procedure. already stated, attempt comply 37(a)(2), provides that: 'When imposes shall *.' Furthermore, contains mandatory requirement: 'Before imposing afford punishment.' No afforded say word extenuation offense.4 46 arraignment. guarantees crimes 'speedy public trial.' never necessary decide issue grounds. principle implemented 47 declares unequivocally 'Sentence majority holds two-year 'accidental' 'promptly discovered.' either conclusions. Both put fatal defect abortive day steps remedy defect. declared twice initiated investigation obviously checked someone 'first' simply come attention responsible person. 48 proceeding 2255. refused accord considering relief. Then, spite infirmities documents, denied. Circuit action, represent conclusion condonation succession shortcomings represents restriction inescapable. often departures accepted permitted—that encourages looseness many ways. served while pursuing unring' bell w committed standard procedure. Pino Landon, 349 901, 75 99 1239, reversing Nicolls, 215 237. Such reviewable Wells 318 257, 582, 746. length 'In means sentence; purporting permanently suspend judgment.' 210 326, 702. Korematsu 432, 434, 1124, 1125, 1497; Hill Wampler, 298 460, 464, 56 760, 762, 80 1283; Berman 302 212, 58 164, 165, 204. reads: (an embezzler) fined more than $2,000 imprisoned five years, both.' See 3651, 3651; 32(a, b, e). 48(b), enforcement right: unnecessary presenting charge grand jury filing answer bringing indictment, complaint.' note secure prompt important involving Speedy Trial Clause. cited Provoo, 183. appears advise assign stage unless elects able obtain counsel.' alleged offense May 1951. complaint July. ensued date Is anything else, Hachey Attorney)? Going clearly completely absence. 43. stereotyped recitals papers, referred majority, wholly inconsistent verbatim complete

Category: 0