Document: 532 U.S. 451121 S.Ct. 1693149 L.Ed.2d 697 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.WILBERT K. ROGERS, PETITIONERv.TENNESSEE No. 99-6218. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Argued November 1, 2000 Decided May 14, 2001 Syllabus Following James Bowdery's death some 15 months after petitioner stabbed him, was convicted Tennessee state court second degree murder under State's criminal homicide statute. Although statute makes no mention common law "year and a day rule"-under which defendant could unless his victim died by defendant's act within year act, see, e.g., Louisville, E. & St. L. R. Co. v. Clarke, 152 230, 239-petitioner argued on appeal rule persisted as part and, such, precluded conviction. The Criminal Appeals disagreed affirmed In affirming, State abolished rule, finding reasons for recognizing at longer existed. with petitioner's contention application its decision abolishing case would violate Ex Post Facto Clauses Federal Constitutions, observing those provisions refer only legislative Acts. also concluded not run afoul Bouie City Columbia, 378 347, 354, this held due process prohibits retroactive judicial construction unexpected indefensible reference has been expressed prior conduct issue. Held: Court's did deny violation Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 4-15. (a) To extent argues Due Process Clause incorporates specific prohibitions Clause, he misreads Bouie. contains dicta suggestive broad interpretation argues, U.S., 353-354, but rooted firmly well established notions process. Its rationale rested core concepts notice, foreseeability, particular, right fair warning bear constitutionality attaching penalties what previously had innocent conduct, id., 351, 352, 354-355. Subsequent decisions have interpreted extending so far suggests, uniformly viewed restricted traditional roots. doing so, they applied Bouie's check decisionmaking scope but, rather, accordance more basic general principle clearly articulated. See, Lanier, 520 259, 266. While assertion two safeguard interests undoubtedly correct, mistaken suggest these considerations compel Clause's strictures context judging through rubric Such an extension circumvent clear text, expressly applies legislatures; evince too little regard important institutional contextual differences between legislating decisionmaking; incompatible resolution uncertainty marks evolving legal system; unduly impair incremental reasoned development precedent foundation system. It account such concerns limitations interpretations statutes See 354. That restriction adequately serves well. 4-11. (b) court's abolition indefensible. Advances medical related science undermined rule's usefulness render it without question obsolete, legislatively judicially vast majority jurisdictions recently addressed Despite argument contrary, fact number outside surely relevant whether case, involves continuing viability can said then Bouie, supra, 359-360, distinguished. Perhaps most importantly, time crime tenuous foothold Tennessee's law. exist statutory code, while law, pointedly observed never once served ground prosecution State. Indeed, all reported cases, mentioned three times, each dicta. These cases hardly "unexpected indefensible" offended articulated progeny. There nothing indicate represented exercise sort unfair arbitrary action against aims protect. Far from marked unpredictable departure precedent, routine brought into conformity reason sense. 11-15. 992 S. W. 2d 393, affirmed. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO TENNESSEE, WESTERN DIVISION O'Connor, J., delivered Court, Rehnquist, Kennedy, Souter, Ginsburg, JJ., joined. Stevens, filed dissenting opinion. Scalia, opinion, Stevens Thomas, joined, Breyer, joined Part II. Opinion Justice O'Connor Court. 1 rule." At provided act. 239 (1894); 4 Blackstone, Commentaries Laws England 197-198 (1769). existed uphold us whether, denied 2 * Petitioner Wilbert Rogers murder. According undisputed facts, victim, Bowdery, butcher knife 6, 1994. One stab wounds penetrated heart. During surgery repair wound heart, Bowdery went cardiac arrest, resuscitated survived procedure. As result, however, developed condition known "cerebral hypoxia," results loss oxygen brain. higher brain functions ceased, slipped remained coma until August 7, 1995, when kidney infection (a complication experienced comatose patients). Approximately passed stabbing which, according testimony county examiner, caused cerebral hypoxia " 'secondary heart.' 395 (Tenn. 1999). 3 Based evidence, jury found guilty statute, defines simply "the unlawful killing another person first murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent vehicular homicide." Tenn. Code Ann. 39-13-201 (1997). appealed conviction Appeals, arguing that, despite absence rejected Sentencing Reform Act 1989 (1989 Act), defenses actions Tennessee, rule. 39-11-203(e)(2) further constituted ex post facto violation, noting taken effect five years committed crime. 02C01-9611-CR-00418 Crim. App., Oct. 17, 1997), App. 7. different grounds. recognized Percer State, 118 765, 103 780 (1907), "[d]espite paucity law" "both parties ... agree State." 2d, 396. Turning present status, noted "vast majority" considered Id., 397. contrary conclusion After reviewing justifications original exist. Accordingly, Tennessee. 399-401. 5 Constitutions. Those constitutional provisions, observed, 347 (1964), 'judicial [that] issue.' 402 (quoting 354) (alteration original). concluded, offend principle. 402. We granted certiorari, 529 1129 (2000), we now affirm. II 6 claim one process, Constitution's figures prominently argument. provides "[n]o shall pass Law." Art. I, 10, cl. 1. well-known oft-repeated explanation protection given Chase, who long ago identified, dictum, four types laws extends: 7 "1st. Every done passing done, criminal; punishes action. 2d. aggravates crime, greater than was, committed. 3d. changes punishment, inflicts annexed 4th. alters rules receives less, different, testimony, required commission offense, convict offender." Calder Bull, Dall. 386, 390 (1798) (seriatim J.). 8 Accord, Carmell Texas, 513, 521-525 (2000); Collins Youngblood, 497 37, 41-42, 46 (1990). text clear, "is limitation upon powers Legislature, does own force apply Judicial Branch government." Marks 430 188, 191 (1977) (citation omitted). 9 inherent notion South Carolina trespass petitioners case. prohibited "entry lands notice owner tenant prohibiting entry ." 349, n. internal quotation construed extend patrons drug store received their store, refused leave asked. Prior decision, construing proof entry. None moreover, "slightest indication requirement satisfied remaining land being told leave." 357. 10 violated Reviewing "void vagueness" often "basic must give crime." 350; see 350-352 (discussing, inter alia, Harriss, 612 (1954), Lanzetta New Jersey, 306 451 (1939), Connally General Constr. Co., 269 385 (1926)). Deprivation warning, continued, result both vague language unforeseeable expansion appears narrow precise face. 352. For reason, "[i]f 'unexpected issue,' [the construction] effect." 354 J. Hall, Principles Law 61 (2d ed. 1960)). because odds statute's plain support decisions. 356. 11 Relying largely erred rejecting violates contends prohibit if accomplished Legislature. He claims purposes behind fundamental should prevent accomplishing same decree. Brief 8-18. claim, takes stand proposition "[i]n evaluating decree Process, critical Constitution attained state's power." 12. 12 identified Calder, sure, our contain expansive argues. Most prominent statement legislature barred follow achieving precisely construction." 353-354; 353 ("[A]n enlargement retroactively, operates like law"); 362 ("The compels result" proscription "where sought achieve [impermissible] statute"). language, Our 5. conduct. And couched holding squarely terms right, facto-related points. 355 (concluding petitioners] , rendered Contrary suggestion, nowhere go incorporate jot-for-jot categories 13 Nor subsequent addressing Bouie-type far. instead set out 266 (1997) ("[D]ue bars courts applying novel neither nor fairly disclosed scope"); 191-192 (Due protects infringement "right warning" certain will rise penalties); Rose Locke, 423 48, 53 (1975) (per curiam) (upholding "crimes nature" because, unlike "[could] make statute] afforded might Douglas Buder, 412 430, 432 (1973) (trial term "arrest" including traffic citation, revoke probation, thus process); Rabe 405 313, 316 (1972) (reversing obscenity "not giv[e] notice" location allegedly obscene exhibition vital element offense). 14 observes interests-in fairness (through warning) prevention vindictive use laws. 12-18. Lynce Mathis, 519 433, 439-440, (1997), judging. terms, courts. Extending text. legislating, hand, decisionmaking, other. acting capacity much legislatures lawmaking function, indeed even kinds political influences pressures justify legislatures. 12-18; Reply 15. A "opportunity discrimination," limited [a] legislature's, [it] existing actual litigation." 366 213, 247, (1961) (Harlan, concurring part). Moreover, "[g]iven divergent pulls flexibility system," ibid., incorporation place unworkable unacceptable restraint normal processes 16 particularly where, here, impermissible doctrines (such rule), there arises need clarify reevaluate opinions new circumstances patterns themselves. acts, characterized "making" "finding" necessary business retains elements. Strict principles short, presupposes measure evolution stringent principles. issue." (internal 17 believe accords substantial leeway enjoy engage daily task formulating interpreting causation intent, reevaluating refining them bring logic respects concern safeguarding defendants unjustified breaks conclude alteration doctrine hence effect, where Ibid. 18 Scalia framing Constitution, widely accepted ''change'' post, 5-7, 11-12 (dissenting opinion), (according Scalia) doubt identical 3-4, latter seeks bottom merely reopen settled decisions: decisionmaking. former beside point. Common believed were rather making But, however characterizes actions, matter then, now, deciding fashioning light experience. framing, do today. III 19 particular facts instant outdated relic hint good retaining delve deeply history here. Suffice say generally date back 13th century, governing individual initiate private "appeal death"; 18th century extended public prosecutions murder; primary frequently cited justification incapable establishing beyond reasonable great deal elapsed injury death; practically every noted, advances obsolete. People Carrillo, 164 Ill. 144, 150, 646 N. 582, 585 (1995); Commonwealth Lewis, 381 Mass. 411, 414-415, 409 771, 772-773 (1980); Stevenson, 416 Mich. 383, 391-392; 331 143, 146 (1982); Hefler, 310 135, 138-140, 310, 313 (1984); Comment, 59 U. Chi. Rev. 1337 (1992) (tracing rule). 20 397, (reviewing statutes). Citing irrelevant similarly hence, him. 28-30. discussing apparent meaning statue "[i]t rare situation sufficed afford 'fair warning' meant something quite words said." 359-360. look determining alter modify changed circumstances, increased knowledge, course, require apprise himself 50 guarantee him punishment developing trend yet way time, outlived purpose 21 Finally, perhaps code. 22 1907 780. Percer, reversed verdict announced failed show occurred indictment. quoted "it indictment found, fails reversed." 777, W., 783 Cyclopedia Procedure 382 (1904)). proven received." Tenn., F. Wharton, Homicide (3d 1907)). 23 relies entrenched cannot establish nearly much. reciting just mentioned, point July 1906; charged sometime evidence witness stating thought July, specifying year. From this, affirmatively appear" "whether indictment." 783. anywhere analysis or, matter, else Thus, whatever import earlier quoting serve basis decision. 24 next references victim's Sixty-seven Cole 512 598 1974), existence defendants' contentions insufficient jury's drag-racing crash. 601. Twenty-one Ruane, 912 766 1995), referred operative cause removal life gunshot hand. days receiving wound. argument, concluding, Act. hold sufficient 773-777. decided high ultimately rejected. But note nonetheless complete few appearances 25 correctly points out, ''substantive principle'' 14. name only, having enforced emphasized 402, rightly readily occurred, 4, 12, suggests took 26 is, laying rest archaic relied 27 judgment accordingly 28 ordered. 29 dissenting. 30 whom Thomas join, Breyer joins II, 31 32 I Scalia's entire dissent, add brief caveat. perception common- judges power change unquestionably aspect heritage 17th explained, played role diminishing importance later years. Whether significant end early 19th my judgment, tangential resolved decide correctly. me, historical issue undervalued threat liberty posed whenever retroactively. 33 today approves man (but manslaughter) offense principle-encapsulated maxim nulla poena sine lege-which "dates ancient Greeks" described "widely value-judgment[s] human thought." 1960). Today's produces, curious constitution judge love. (by virtue Clause) elected representatives people retroactively committed; unelected that. predictability parliamentary validate creation crimes, so. system Framers envisioned-or, imagine. 34 35 begin with, let here altered fact. Petitioner, of, stood stabbing, die passed. requisite rape raising "hue cry" eliminated 513 (2000). Here, there, bar differs involved pertain "quantum evidence" corroborate charge, 530, crime-a "substantive law," 399 1999), failure "entirely precludes prosecution," 400. Though spends questioning year-and-a-day ever truly ante, 12-15, 396, 400, reading highest binding us. 36 Petitioner's Amendment, insofar Article I. discussed relationship (1964). There, Chase spoken (1798), defined as, "aggravates committed." (emphasis deleted). 353-354. avoid obvious characterizing mere Only concept dictum includes very reasoning characterization. ratio decidendi though contained concerned. understand why derives comfort 7-8; entirely accord discards. 37 attempts cabin indefensible' revision, permit "fair occur. Ante, 10. seems plausible terms; wrenched context. changed," offense. express disapproval (and implicitly approve "expected defensible changes"). "judicial statute" added; approved expected crimes common-law approval holdings expounding depart bad, changes. 38 "[t]he 'the occurred,' ibid. (Nulla lege.) Proceeding principle, "a [prohibited Clause] legislature's intent insulate criminalization. committed, bill enacting pending assured passage-or indeed, already signed President whose administration proposed it. follows impending criminalization either. 39 nature things should. exception "place processes," "incompatible "unduly system." 9. assessment ignores crucial difference changing court. Many factual nuance arguably distinguishes come before; penal pattern purport That, square, head-on overruling law-or, accurately, extreme that: acknowledging used valid, accused convicted, decreeing "we hereby abolish rule," 922 401, upholding announced. Even civil modern concededly valid extremely rare. With hesitation affirming unheard-of adopted. discuss detail following section, proceeding fashion regarded traditions embraced B 40 considers decisionmaking," whereby "brought sense," "laying accurate enough description "common decisionmaking" consists of-but theoretical model adopted Clause. jurists (in Sir Francis Bacon) judge's "office jus dicere, dare; interpret law." Bacon, Essays, Civil Moral, Harvard Classics 130 (C. Eliot 1909) (1625). Or read "accepted [by generation] satisfactory exposition England," Schick 195 65, 69 (1904), principal authoritative given, custom form *69 (1765) (hereinafter Blackstone) added). 41 Blackstone acknowledged courts' change. Stare decisis, said, "admits exception, determination evidently . "in pretend vindicate old misrepresentation." *70. fit category bad "manifestly absurd unjust." suffice, [for law] distance [not be] assigned." "For [its] view, owe deference times suppose acted wholly consideration." Ibid.1 By example, pointed seemingly unreasonable inherit estate one's half-brother. feudal obvious, wrote "yet [a judge's] it." *70- *71 added).2 unreasonableness affect validity origin." Allen 140-141. "A custome tolerable, become grievous, answerable whereupon grounded, away parliament." Coke, Institutes *664 (1642) Institutes); *97 ("No away, abrogated, adnulled, authority parliament"); Of Oaths Ecclesiastical Judge Officio, Rep. *26, *29 (1655) ("[T]he inheritance subject, deprived assent Parliament"). 42 are, stray statements record that-read context-could modern-day always evolve. Take, instance, Lord Coke's ceasing, itself ceases." devotees turbulently law-often Latin (cessante ratione legis, cessat ipse lex) create impression venerability. context, Institutes, Coke abbots mayors obligation military service King attached ownership. impracticable cloth mayor. "if convey over naturall heires," immunity "by conveyance ceaseth." words, cloaked similar immunity. describing employed cessante lex. do, applicable 43 true Coke: "[R]atio legis est anima et mutata ratione, mutatur lex"-reason soul law; changed, changed. report Milborn's Case, 6b, 7a (1587), suit involving town's responsibility precincts. town amerced apprehend murderer streets during day, struck nightfall, citizens presumably asleep. Parliament, enacted requiring towns close gates night, thereafter left open nocturnal well, since negligence facilitated escape. partakes implied legislation assuredly rule: continue immune. Case wrongfully gates-which overruling, normal, case-by-case adjudication. 44 framing-era country themselves authorized reject English "barbarous" "ignorant," Z. Swift, System Connecticut (1795) Swift); Chipman, Dissertation Adopting Statute England, Reports Dissertations 117, 128 (1793) Chipman). judges' For, wrote, automatically transfer American Colonies; *107-*108 (observing allowance authority" "[o]ur plantations"); Swift state"); 44-45 obligatory Roman England"). colonial felt perfectly free pick choose parts adopt.3 stated 128, assigned, rules, precedents, practice, adopt certainly government" discretion presuppose, support, subsequently accumulated belief demonstrated passage M. Horwitz, Transformation 1780-1860, p. (hereinafter, Horwitz): "Massachusetts Chief Hutchison declare 1767 'laws established, Judges Juries Reason, Will.' imperative 'that Legislator: Because, Will Law: tends Slavery.' Or, put it, "ought allowed boundaries wide fields discretion." 366. 45 era's acceptance acknowledgment thitherto unobjectionable, 'a founded retrospective, existed,' Blackwell Wilkinson, Jefferson's 73, 77 (Va. 1768) (argument then-Attorney John Randolph). utterly anathema today, leads wonder answer perceptive chief justice Connecticut, 1796 "partak[e] odious 365-366. Horwitz widespread sharing Swift's "preoccupation unfairness administering judge-made distinctly post-revolutionary phenomenon, reflecting profound sensibility. inarticulate premise lay warnings danger growing discovered 14-15 (emphases connection became lawmaking, (as been) declaring. happen, 1-4, framing. What said-and believed-would suffice. pretense "bad" outset; asserted, means assuring causality death, disappeared time. Blackstone-and formed Blackstone-would legislature, era purporting to. undoubted adopted, "change" explains Under norms sense holding, erroneous, changed) option attitude subsisted, note, founding era, guarantees 1886 admiralty following: "The rights persons maritime duty Harrisburg, 119 199, 213-214 (1886), overruled Moragne Marine Lines, Inc., 398 375 (1970). 47 therefore, "[e]xtending [Ex Facto] process," thereby "circumvent[ing] text," 8. of-and consist crimes. demonstrates evolve has) respects, fundamentally permits denial Madison "ex-post-facto social compact, legislation." Federalist 44, 282 Rossiter 1961). find impossible believe, does, strong sentiment equally (or force) production disregard limits power. Insofar "first compact" concerned, possible "[a] opportunity discrimination" litigation"? citation injustice individuals affected less. 48 agreed lack change, fact, believes consisted of. Was law"? 11. So many elements "breaking close" burglary, "asportation" larceny. LaFave A. Scott, 631-633, 708-710 (1972). Are "outdated relics" rescission? count favor giving expect law) numerous chosen "recently issue"? (rather him) legislatively, prospective rulings (together, large abolitions, (listing cases))? say, predictable manner employed. 49 event, acknowledges, "[d]ue tries counter self-evident "[a]t existed," retort rests fallacy earlier: defensible" "abolition" not-and conclusive "defensibility" presume "reasonableness") length, how unclear expositor categorically Does mean exists-or dispensed with-when crystal clear? Yet boon created 51 reiterate is. today's invents, "safeguarding safeguards accepting substitute, opinion's watered-down standard met me proceed almost-valid arguments solid tell, called "warning" eliminate 52 prevents (1) validity, rendered, crime; (2) element; (3) regime. remain patterns, 9-10, consistent cases. series error, (so satisfied). free, "reevaluat[e] refin[e]" heart's content, prospectively. (The fashion.) And, course envisioned), outmoded future here: avowedly (to disadvantage) past acts. 54 reasons, reverse Notes: Inquiring law's reasonableness tantamount all. "In origin unreasonable, doubts denies continuance fact." Allen, Making 140 1939) Allen). near-dispositive strength accorded stare decisis personal predilection. Chancellor Kent view: "If solemn mature deliberation, presumption correctness; community declaration regulate contracts Kent, *475-*476 Hamilton's Federalist: "To courts, indispensable bound down strict precedents define comes them." 78, 471 "most departures [from local Revolution hears less about unsuitability environment." (1977). 55 approach. Cardozo retroactivity determined metaphysical conceptions convenience, utility, deepest sentiments justice." Nature 148-149 (1921). Similarly, asks consider after-the-fact deprive consequences actions. enshrine Blackstone's "ancient dogma declared Platonic ideal declaration," Great Northern Sunburst Oil Refining 287 358, 365 (1932) (Cardozo, Cf. 7-8 (Scalia, dissenting). 56 ask ruling (1964) 1960) omitted)). 57 agree, majority's explains, upgrading revealed attempted therefore join

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