Document: 442 U.S. 114 99 S.Ct. 2198 60 L.Ed.2d 755 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Milton Dean BATCHELDER. No. 78-776. Argued April 18, 1979. Decided June 4, Syllabus Respondent was found guilty of violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(h), which is part Title IV the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act 1968 (Act). That provision prohibits previously convicted felons from receiving a firearm that has traveled in interstate commerce. The District Court sentenced respondent under 924(a) to five years' imprisonment, maximum term authorized for violation 922(h). Appeals affirmed conviction but remanded resentencing. Noting substantive elements 922(h) U.S.C.App. 1202(a), contained VII Act, are identical as applied felon who unlawfully receives firearm, court interpreted allow no more than 2-year sentence provided by 1202(a). Held: A defendant properly even though his conduct also violates Pp. 118-126. (a) Nothing language, structure, or legislative history suggests because overlap between §§ may be imprisoned specified Rather, each statute, conjunction with its own sentencing operates independently other. 118-121. (b) erroneously relied on three principles statutory interpretation construing 1202(a) override penalties 924(a). doctrine ambiguities criminal statutes must resolved favor lenity not applicable here since there ambiguity resolve. Nor can implicitly repealing whenever defendant's might violate both sections. Legislative intent repeal manifest " 'positive repugnancy provisions.' United States v. Borden Co., 308 188, 199, 182, 84 L.Ed. 181. In this case, penalty provisions fully capable coexisting they apply convictions different statutes. Finally, maxim should construed avoid constitutional questions offers assistance here, principle applies only when an alternative fairly possible language statute. There simply basis reading "five" mean "two." 121-122. (c) at issue void vagueness unambiguously specify activity proscribed available upon conviction. Although create uncertainty crime charged therefore what imposed, do so greater extent would single statute authorizing punishments. So long overlapping clearly define prohibited punishment authorized, notice requirements Due Process Clause satisfied. P.123 (d) unconstitutional equal protection component Fifth Amendment theory prosecutor unfettered discretion selecting two apply. prosecutor's choose "unfettered"; selectivity enforcement laws subject constraints. Whether prosecute charge file bring before grand jury decisions generally rest discretion. Just right elect federal shall indictment prosecution, neither he entitled scheme will sentenced. 123-125. (e) impermissibly delegating Executive Branch Legislature's responsibility fix penalties. Having informed courts, prosecutors, defendants permissible alternatives Congress fulfilled duty. Pp.125-126. 581 F.2d 626, reversed. Andrew J. Levander, Washington, D.C., petitioner, pro hac vice. Charles A. Bellows, Chicago, Ill., respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 At case (Omnibus Act).1 sBoth prohibit receivingfirearms, authorizes We determine whether offense carrying lenient 2 * Respondent, felon, had commerce, 922(h).2 him 922(h).3 3 but, divided vote, 626 (CA7 1978). majority recognized been indicted permits imprisonment such violations. F.2d, 629. However, noting 629.4 holding, construction. Because, view, "arguably contradict[ory]" similar "inconclusive" raised doubt intended coexist, first legislation defendant. Id. 630. Second, determined "Congress' last word penalty," it have repealed Acknowledging "first cannot these facts without some difficulty," invoked should, if possible, interpret questions. Id., 630-631. Here, reasoned, "prosecutor's power select one except their provisions" implicated "important protections." 631. 4 dissent engrafting onto 638-639. Relying "the line cases . hold where act government either, [the] risks harsher penalty, does discriminate against any class defendants," further concluded constitutional. 637. 5 granted certiorari, 439 1066, 830, 59 30 (1979), now reverse judgment vacating respondent's 5-year prison sentence. II 6 This noted partial redundancy proscribe individuals reach. See Bass, 404 336, 341-343, n.9, 92 515, 519-20, 488 (1971). we find nothing suggest overlap, As read provision, 7 Section four categories "any ammunition shipped transported foreign commerce." n.2, supra. Persons 924(a), fine $5,000 up years. n.3, located forbids "receiv[ing], possess[ing], transport[ing] commerce affecting firearm." same section $10,000 n.4, 8 While 922 petitioner firearms5 specifies enforce proscriptions. exception "[w]hoever provision" IV, patently provision. U.S.C., ch. 44; 82 Stat. 226, 234; S.Rep. 1097, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., 20-25, 117 (1968); U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1968, p. 2112. Similarly, VII's prohibitions enumerated 1202, encompasses prosecutions brought On face, thus establish alone delimits appropriate violations 9 enact independent gun control statutes, enforceable terms, confirmed Act. derived 2(f) Federal Firearms 1938, 52 1251, 1252, merely recodified modification "carefully constructed package legislation," existence many Scarborough States, 431 563, 570, 97 1963, 1967, 582 (1977); see supra, U.S., 343 n.10, S.Ct., 520; 15 902, 905 (1964 ed.). 10 By contrast, "last-minute" floor amendment, "hastily passed, little discussion, hearings, report." 344, n.11, 569-570, 1967. And meager debates involving amendment demonstrate intention alter terms IV. Immediately Senate passed VII, Senator Dodd inquired substitute Cong.Rec. 14774 (1968). Long, sponsor replied 1202 "take from" "add to" although received passing mention House discussions bill, Representative Machen made clear "complement gun-control title IV." 16286. Had legislators pre-empt presumably indicated purpose complement 573, 1968.6 These discussions, together structure evince Congress' understanding Titles independently.7 11 relied, believe erroneously, interpretation. First, well-established lenity. E. g., Rewis 401 808, 812, 91 1056, 1059, 28 493 (1971); 347, 522; Culbert, 435 371, 379, 98 1112, 55 349 (1978); Naftalin, 441 768, 778-779, 2077, 2084, 624 (1979); Dunn 112-113, 2197. construction well provisions, Simpson 6, 14-15, 909, 913-914, 70 (1978), instant unquestionably violated violation. provides essentially justification taking liberties unequivocal language. Barrett 423 212, 217, 96 498, 501, 46 450 (1976). express limits exclusively obtained Where "Congress conveyed clearly, decline manufacture none exists." 1117. 12 Titles. For "not enough show produce differing results factual situation." Radzanower Touche Ross 426 148, 155, 1989, 1993, 48 540 181 (1939). however, 13 here. 'cardinal principle' [an interpretation] 'fairly possible' Swain Pressley, 430 372, 378 1224, 1228, 51 411 Crowell Benson, 285 22, 62, 285, 296, 76 598 (1932); Sullivan, 332 689, 693, 68 331, 334, 297 (1948); Shapiro 335 1, 31, 1375, 1391, 1787 (1948). unable discern III 14 resolving question, below expressed "serious doubts about constitutionality provide conduct." 633-634 (footnote omitted). Specifically, suggested (1) vagueness, (2) implicate "due process interest[s] avoiding excessive prosecutorial obtaining justice," (3) constitute impermissible delegation congressional authority. 631-633. infirmities. It fundamental tenet due "[n]o required peril life, liberty property speculate meaning penal statutes." Lanzetta New Jersey, 306 451, 453, 618, 619, 83 888 invalid "fails give person ordinary intelligence fair contemplated forbidden." Harriss, 347 612, 617, 74 989 (1954). Connally General Construction 269 385, 391-393, 126, 127-128, 322 (1926); Papachristou Jacksonville, 405 156, 162, 839, 843, 31 110 (1972); too, vague post state sufficient clarity consequences given SeeUnited Evans, 333 483, 634, 823 Brown, 376, cf. Giaccio Pennsylvania, 382 399, 86 518, 447 (1966). 16 119. particular detract afforded each. various B 17 Government prosecutes either defendants. Beacon Brass 344 43, 45-46, 73 77, 79, 61 (1952); Rosenberg 346 273, 294, 1152, 1163, 1607 (1953) (Clark, J., concurring, joined Members Court); Oyler Boles, 368 448, 456, 505, 446 (1962); SEC National Securities, Inc., 393 468, 89 564, 572, 21 668 (1969); 778, 2084. Confiscation Cases, Wall. 454, 19 196 (1869); Nixon, 418 683, 94 3090, 3100, 41 1039 (1974); Bordenkircher Hayes, 434 357, 364, 663, 668, 54 604 (1978). acknowledged "settled rule" allowing choice. 632. Nevertheless, relying dissenting Berra 351 131, 685, 100 1013 (1956),8 distinguished standards proof vary particular. 632-633. court's "exactly conduct," "selection apply" "unfettered." 633, n.11. Because could "unequal form analysis factually legally unsound. Contrary Appeals' assertions, Selectivity is, course, constraints.9 decision proceed empower predetermine ultimate sanctions. enables judge impose longer permit precludes imposing More importantly, appreciable difference exercises deciding choosing elements. former situation, once determines support indistinguishable faces latter context. influenced conviction, fact, standing alone, rise Equal Protection Clause. Cf. 1163 concurring); 505. prosecution U.S.Const., Art. II, 2, 3; 516; 694, 3100. C 20 Approaching problem slightly perspective, postulated delegate Hudson, Cranch 32, 34, 259 (1812); Grimaud, 220 506, 516-517, 519, 480, 482-483, 484, 563 (1911); 486, 636. agree. plainly demarcate range prosecutors judges seek impose. light specificity, delegated those officials broader authority routinely exercise enforcing laws. Title, 492, 495, 636, 639, 640. Accordingly, 22 Reversed. 197. pertinent part, provides: "It unlawful person— "(1) for, of, punishable exceeding year; "(2) fugitive justice; "(3) user addicted marihuana depressant stimulant drug narcotic .; "(4) adjudicated mental defective committed institution; "to receive relevant part: "Whoever chapter fined $5,000, years, both, become eligible parole Board Parole determine." states: "Any who— State political subdivision thereof felony, discharged Armed Forces dishonorable conditions, adjudged being mentally incompetent, having citizen renounced citizenship, "(5) alien illegally "and receives, possesses, transports after date enactment both." Even felons, coextensive. example, defines felony year, include (other explosive) classified misdemeanor years less." 1202(c)(2). Under "a year," 922(h)(1), excludes "(A) offenses pertaining antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraints trade, other relating regulation business practices ., "(B) 921(a)(20). addition, Commerce slightly. (1976); 571-572, (1977). Four months enacting amended re-enacted Gun 1968. 1213. treats self-contained. I compare 225 1214, VII. Compare 236 1236. accompanying Reports nowhere indicate govern 922. H.R.Conf.Rep. 1956, 34 1501, 21, 37 4410. anomalies created while murder includes felony. 922(h)(1). If exceed proscribes receipt ammunition, bullet sentence, leaves uncertain result obtain wished violative implied controls, arguably imposed infra, 122. involved tax evasion proscribing conduct. defendant, argued instructed well. rejected contention refused consider excess urged permitting punished questions." 139-140, 691. selective "based unjustifiable standard race, religion, arbitrary classification." (1962). allege motivated improper considerations.

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