Document: 537 U.S. 393 SCHEIDLER ET AL.v.NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, INC., AL. No. 01-1118. Supreme Court of United States. Argued December 4, 2002. Decided February 26, 2003.* Respondents, an organization that supports the legal availability abortion and two facilities perform abortions, filed a class action alleging petitioners, individuals organizations oppose abortion, violated Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U. S. C. §§ 1962(a), (c), (d), by engaging in nationwide conspiracy to shut down clinics through "a pattern racketeering activity" included acts extortion violation Hobbs Act, § 1951. In concluding petitioners RICO's civil provisions, jury found, among other things, petitioners' alleged activity violations of, or attempts violate, state law, Travel 1952. The awarded damages, District entered permanent injunction against petitioners. Affirming relevant part, Seventh Circuit held, inter alia, things respondents claimed were extorted from them—the women's right seek medical services clinics, clinic doctors' rights their jobs, clinics' conduct business— constituted "property" for purposes Act. Appeals further held "obtained" property, as 1951(b)(2) requires. court also upheld issuance injunction, finding private plaintiffs are entitled obtain injunctive relief under 1964(c). Held: 1. Because all predicate supporting jury's RICO must be reversed, judgment reversed. Pp. 400-410. (a) Petitioners did not commit within Act's meaning because they "obtain" property respondents. Both sources Congress used models formulating Act—the New York Penal Code Field Code, 19th-century model penal code—defined as, "obtaining" another. This has recognized York's requirement entailed both deprivation acquisition see States v. Enmons, 410 396, 406, n. 16, construed provision at issue require features, see, e. g., id., 400. It is undisputed interfered with, disrupted, some instances completely deprived ability exercise rights. Likewise, counsel acknowledged aspects his clients' criminal. But even when interference disruption achieved ultimate goal shutting clinic, such constitute respondents' property. may have sought deprive exclusive control business assets, but acquire any They neither pursued nor received "something value from" could exercise, transfer, sell. Nardello, 286, 290. To conclude actions would effectively discard statutory eliminate distinction between separate crime coercion. latter crime, which more accurately describes nature actions, involves use force threat restrict another's freedom action. was clearly defined separate, lesser, offense than turned law drafting Congress' decision include omit coercion significant here, fact Anti-Racketeering predecessor contained sections explicitly prohibiting both. omission particularly paramount congressional concern clear about what prohibited, Culbert, 435 371, 378, carefully define key terms, including "extortion," 373. Thus, while overlap extent necessarily coercive there been continues difference these crimes. criminal statute, it strictly construed, ambiguity resolved favor lenity. supra, 411. 373, distinguished. If coercion, controls cases, abandoned, expansion law's coverage come Congress, courts. 400-409. (b) Court's determination renders insufficient bases conclusion RICO. accordance with this decisions Nardello Taylor States, 495 575, where here Model majority recognize requiring party requires, similar requirement. attempt claims claim attempting conspiring fatally flawed. violate fail. These committed furtherance allegedly extortionate conduct, extortion. 409-410. 2. Without underlying violation, vacated. therefore need address second question presented—whether plaintiff P. 267 F. 3d 687, REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion Court, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined. concurring opinion, joined, post, p. STEVENS, dissenting 412. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS SEVENTH CIRCUIT. Roy T. Englert, Jr., argued cause cases. On briefs 01-1118 Alan Untereiner, Arnon D. Siegel, Kathryn Zecca, Sherri Lynn Wolson, Thomas Brejcha, Deborah Fischer, Colette Wilson. brief 01-1119 Jay Sekulow, Colby M. May, Stuart J. Roth, James Henderson, Sr., Vincent McCarthy, Walter Weber, Larry L. Crain, David A. Cortman, Robert W. Ash, Monaghan, Charles E. Rice. Solicitor General Olson amicus curiae urging reversal. With him on Assistant Attorney Chertoff, Deputy Dreeben, Lisa Schiavo Blatt, Frank Marine. Fay Clayton her Susan Valentine, Joyce Pollack, Lowell Sachnoff, Stephen Hut, Ogden, Terry Maroney, Kimberly Parker.† CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST Court. 1 We granted certiorari cases answer questions. First, whether U.S.C. Second, respondents, litigants, pursuant 1964 (RICO). hold required our respect Therefore, we reverse without reaching 1964(c) 2 once again questions arising litigation coalition antiabortion groups called Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN), Joseph Scheidler, abortion,1 National Organization Women, Inc. (NOW), national nonprofit health care centers abortions.2 Our earlier provides substantial description factual procedural history litigation, 510 249 (1994), so recount only those details necessary presented. 3 1986, sued Northern Illinois alleging, (d). whom associated PLAN, enterprise, members "shut down" Act.3 4 dismissed failure allege enterprise economically motivated. See 765 Supp. 937 (ND Ill. 1991). affirmed dismissal. 968 2d 612 (1992). does proof either motivated economic purpose. S., 256-262. case remanded proceedings. 5 After 7-week trial, six-member concluded provisions By answering series special interrogatory questions, "pattern 21 1951; 25 law; federal extortion; 23 1952; $31,455.64 respondent, Women's Health Delaware, Inc., $54,471.28 Summit, damages trebled Additionally, obstructing access trespassing damaging using violence threats employees, patients. 6 part. rejected contention "obtained"—the provide otherwise business—were explained had "repeatedly intangible can considered `property' Act." F.3d 709 (2001). if involved, property; merely forced part it. Again relying precedent, "`as matter, extortionist seeking receiving money anything else. A loss to, victim required.'" Ibid. (quoting Stillo, 57 553, 559 (CA7 1995)). Finally, certiorari, 535 1016 (2002), now reverse. 7 first That defines "the obtaining another, consent, induced wrongful actual threatened force, violence, fear, color official right." 1951(b)(2). verdict Appeals' upholding represent vast unwarranted say below "rea[d] `obtaining' out statute" conflict proper understanding Brief Scheidler et al. 01-1118, pp. 11-13. 8 throughout course asserted, instructions trial reflected,4 threatening fear "to give up" rights, namely, woman's doctors, nurses staff free threats, fear." Jury Instruction 24, App. 136. Perhaps recognizing apparent difficulty reconciling its position (that "giv[ing] sufficient) holding "interfer[ing] rights" "obtain[ed] . them, shifted thrust theory. 3d, 709. Respondents assert "seeking get disposition property." 24. argue asset who function, obtained attempted 9 offers view asserting "where business's over [a] defendant obtains assets." Amicus Curiae 22. Although Government acknowledges improperly based liberty interest,5 maintains theory liability, 10 trace outer boundaries liability might something party's assets.6 Green, 350 415, 420 (1956) (explaining "extortion ... no way depends upon having direct benefit conferred person property"), Carpenter 484 19, 27 (1987) (finding confidential information constitutes mail fraud statute), do result. Whatever be, effort characterize "obtaining well beyond them. Such result phrase. 11 Absent contrary direction begin interpretation language general presumption term common-law meaning. 592 (1990); Morissette 342 246, 263 (1952). At common public took "any thing value" due pretense he virtue office. Blackstone, Commentaries Laws England 141 (1765); R. Anderson, Wharton's Criminal Law Procedure 1393, 790-791 (1957). 1946, enacted "expanded definition individuals." Evans 504 255, 261 (1992) (emphasis deleted). While expanded scope individuals, retained "obtained." 12 Act: code. Evans, 261-262, 9.7 statute Commissioners Proposed State 613 (1865) (reprint 1998) (Field Code); N. Y. §850 (1909). one four crimes, along robbery, larceny, embezzlement, §584 note, 210. before enactment demonstrates property" See, People Ryan, 232 234, 236, 133 572, 573 (1921) intent extort" requires accompanying "gain property"); Weinseimer, 117 Div. 603, 616, 102 579, 588 (1907) (noting prosecution, decided accused "receive[d] [money] complainant").8 13 too 16 (1973) "[j]udicial construction demonstrated `to justice equity receive'" Cuddihy, 151 Misc. 318, 324, 271 450, 456 (1934))). Most importantly, 400 (Extortion "`wrongful' taking added)). another extortion, turn facts 14 There dispute readily oral argument criminal.9 "shutting performed 290 (1969). replacing instead notion interfering depriving someone sufficient 15 Eliminating express coercion—a implicated Coercion's origin statutory, Act.10 applying passage involved prosecution who, like employed dictate businesses. e.g., Ginsberg, 262 556, 188 62 (1933) (affirming convictions damage compel owner drug store become member local trade association remove price advertisements specific merchandise store's windows); Scotti, 266 480, 195 162 (1934) conviction defendants manufacturer enter into agreement labor union members); Kaplan, 240 72, 269 161 defendants, union, physical drop lawsuits challenging manner handling union's finances). drawn prior assistance breadth provision. amplified evidence awareness distinct 1934, formulated ch. 569, 48 Stat. 979. targeted, name suggests, activities affected interstate commerce, law.11 Accordingly, section Code. §§2(a) 2(b). 17 Several years after Teamsters, 315 521 (1942). exception provided payment wages bona fide employer employee find "did cover truckdrivers exacted out-of-town drivers return undesired often unutilized services." 377 (1978) (citing supra). "Congressional disapproval swift," subsequently supersede Teamsters. 402, 8. prohibited commerce "robbery extortion" but, above, mention light "paramount concern" "was prohibited." 378.12 "carefully `robbery,' `extortion,' `commerce.'" certainly ALI, 212.5, 223.4 (1980) (hereinafter Code),13 evident lost 19 said words "do lend themselves restrictive interpretation" "`manifes[t] purpose constitutional power punish robbery violence.'" 373 Stirone 361 212, 215 (1960)). said, construing 411: 20 "Even less found them properly suggests—for related reasons. being lenity" (citations omitted). think seemingly antithetical statements reconciled. Culbert refused adopt exercised full "affects movement article commodity commerce." affect commerce. Their amount set forth rule lenity referred Enmons apply quite consistently statement Culbert. "[W]hen rational readings harsher other, choose spoken definite language." McNally 483 350, 359-360 (1987). 22 basis various state-law statutes, offense. challenged appeal, error harmless, verdicts support awarded. offenses identical violation. concede, however, "act involving chargeable law," 1961(1), capable generically classified extortionate. 33-34. agree "generic" "`obtaining consent threats.'" Id., 34 290). 24 concession accord 575 (1990). prohibition, 1952(b)(2), laws States" applies code blackmail rather determined act fell generic relied Code's threats," prohibition regardless State's label unlawful act. 296 Pennsylvania's labeling defendants' indictment encompasses type generally known since exposure"). Taylor, "burglary" violent 924(e)'s sentencing enhancement felons' possessing firearms, meant sense codes most States." 598. conduct. already 26 issued 1964. accordingly 28 Reversed. Notes: * Together 01-1119,Operation Rescue al., same court. &#x2020; Briefs amici reversal Alabama William H. Pryor, Alabama, B. Campbell, General, Attorneys respective jurisdictions follows: Don Stenberg Nebraska, Wayne Stenehjem North Dakota, Mark Barnett South Torres Mariana Islands; Americans Life Nikolas Nikas, Denise Burke, Dorinda Bordlee, G. Blakey; Catholics Life, Sacramento, Lynch, Jr.; Center Individual Rights Michael Rosman; Concerned Women America Theresa Schrempp Lorbiecki; Liberty Counsel Mathew Staver; Legal Defense Foundation Andrew Zepeda Catherine Short; Association Lawyers Mertens; Council Richard Greenberg, Karl Pflanz, Victor Rocco; Rutherford Institute Jamin Raskin, John Whitehead, Steven Aden; Seamless Garment Edward McGlynn Gaffney, Bassett, Blakey, Angela Carmella, Destro, Marie Failinger, Gregory Rosenblum, Gerald Uelmen. affirmance California Bill Lockyer, California, Manuel Medeiros, Frank, Chief Mary Hackenbracht, Senior Helen Arens, Eliot Spitzer, York, Caitlin Halligan, Daniel Chepaitis, Blumenthal Connecticut, Curran, Maryland, Reilly Massachusetts, Mike McGrath Montana, Frankie Sue Del Papa Nevada, Christine O. Gregoire Washington, Darrell V. McGraw, West Virginia; American Medical Norris, Small, Sandra Lee; Feminist Majority Gey; Former Federal Prosecutors Maria Vullo; Lawyers' Committee Civil Under Bankoff, Nancy Anderson; Motorola Credit Corp. Cole, Howard Stahl, Bruce Bishop; NARAL Foundation/NARAL Amy Weissman, Sara Love, Lawrence Ottinger; Religious Coalition Reproductive Choice George Kucik Bonnie Campbell. Right Work Foundation, Raymond LaJeunesse, Ethical Treatment Animals, Jeffrey Kerr Craig Bradley; Texas Black Joyce; Emily Lyons Pamela Sumners. Scholberg, Timothy Murphy, Operation NOW represents certified non-members abortions 1951(a), "[w]hoever degree obstructs, delays, affects conspires do, commits threatens plan shall fined title imprisoned twenty years, both." instruction given regarding "[p]laintiffs others PLAN order show else knowingly, willfully, wrongfully women, staff, up `property right.'" 136 agreed accept Government's generalized extort respondents; characterized individual interest. Tr. Oral Arg. 30-31 dissent mistaken suggest reaches, much rejects, lower asUnited Tropiano, 418 1069, 1076 (1969), Second solicit refuse collection accounts "constituted definition." Representative stated "based law." 89 Cong. Rec. 3227 (1943) endorses inUnited Arena, 180 380 (CA2 1999), reach expansive just cited. quoted dictionary word Webster's Third International Dictionary, 394. text reads gain attain possession disposal of." then resorted "disposal," includes regulation fate something." Surely lenity, applicable infra, 408, means anything, familiar "obtain"—to of—should preferred vague obscure "QUESTION: talking commission kind process? "MR. ENGLERT: Oh, yes. Trespass. Yes, destruction forth, I suppose. yes.... mean, we're lawful here. punished severely. never disputed trespasses." 8-9. 530 (1909), Coercing misdemeanor, provided: "A abstain doing doing, unlawfully, "1. Uses inflicts injury family, thereof, injury; or, "2. Deprives tool, implement clothing hinders thereof; "3. intimidation "Is guilty misdemeanor." subcommittee Commerce Committee, Copeland Subcommittee, working "racketeering," organized conspiracies "commit crimes jurisdictions." Rep. 1189, 75th Cong., 1st Sess., (1937);United 375-376 (1978). As reported inCulbert, 378: "Indeed, many Congressmen praised [Hobbs Act] precision made noted, `have thousand times Everybody knows mean'" 91 11912 (1945)). §223.4, Comment 1, 201-202, "obtains [the] another" method "`bring[ing] transfer purported interest obtainer another.'"Id., §223.3, 2, 182. Coercion, hand, making "specified categories unlawfully restricting detriment." §212.5, 264. 29 BREYER joins, concurring. 30 join persuaded Circuit's accords undue (RICO Act). STEVENS recognizes, "Congress legislation responsive concerns gave rise cases." Post, 417 (dissenting opinion). Freedom Access Clinic Entrances 1994, 248, crafted response homes problem facilities. ante, 404-405, acknowledgment least protesters' criminal, observing "[t]he [a extortion] actions"). principal effect RICO.* 31 RICO, empowers prosecutors enforcers, imposes severe penalties hefty engaged compass. 1963(a) (up years' imprisonment wide-ranging forfeiture single violation); 1964(a) (broad relief); (treble attorneys' fees plaintiffs). "evolv[ed] different original conception enactors," Sedima, Imrex Co., 473 479, 500 (1985), warranting "concern[s] consequences unbridled reading statute," 481. rightly reluctant, it, extend domain endorsing "extortion" adopted Circuit. 32 dissenting. 33 refers another." murky seems phrase covers nothing tangible No ever narrowly. For decades judges uniformly assets. serve customers new thus protected right. persuade surrender appropriation embraced "obtaining." commonsense wisely numerous discuss cite. Recognizing settled believe must, amply supported record. 35 uniform, few example, 1069 owners competing trash removal company refrain soliciting certain areas court's reasoning directly cases: 36 "The application present seriously appellants ground indicates `the business' Milford area surrendered Caron `obtained' appellants, terms concede rubbish purchased sold probably amorphous cannot squared Congressional expression `obtaining property.' `speaks broad language, manifesting violence.' (1960). concept devolved legislative decisions, limited (United Provenzano, 334 678 (3d Cir. 1964); Nedley, 255 1958)), includes, sense, valuable source element wealth (Bianchi 219 182 (8th 1955)), depend 415 (1956)). 37 "Obviously, anyone territorial restrictions whose admittedly valuable.... pursue solicitation long protection Fifth Fourteenth Amendments Constitution (Louis K. Ligget Co. Baldridge, 278 105 (1928); cf., Duplex Printing Press Deering, 254 443, 465 Caron's Milford, Connecticut 1075-1076 (some citations 38 Tropiano case's discussion cited approval courts virtually every circuit country. Hathaway, 534 386, 396 (CA1 1976); 380, 392 1999); Northeast Center, McMonagle, 868 1342, 1350 (CA3 1989); Santoni, 585 667, 673 (CA4 1978); Nadaline, 471 340, 344 (CA5 1973); Debs, 949 199, 201 (CA6 1991); Lewis, 797 358, 364 1986); Zemek, 634 1159, 1174 (CA9 1980).1 Its consistent pre-Hobbs Buchanan Warley, 245 60, 74 (1917) (property "consists use, enjoyment, person's acquisitions diminution"), Appeals, Barondess, 649, (1892), Cadman, Cal. 562 (1881), recent 39 applicability disrupt operations adhered holdings Tropiano. Libertad Welch, 53 428, 438, 1995); 2d, 1350; 716 446, 447-450 1983). Judge Kearse's endorsement followed line "an overall strategy providers, Planned Parenthood Yoffa, engage providing future attacks." 393. Kearse described how behavior 40 "[P]roperty intangible, harm.... perpetrator plainly `obtai[n]' `attain[ing] of,' Dictionary 1559 (1976); `disposal' something,' id. 655. taken relinquished, she nonetheless `obtain[ed]' abandon target attack relinquish lessen extortionist's reaches attempts. 1951(a); McLaughlin 962 187, 194 (2d 1992). 41 "In sum, victim's harm, harm induce abandonment obtained, obtain, 42 my analysis manifestly correct. Even close, three additional considerations strong conclusion. uniform prevailed country should remain unless until decides amend statute. Reves Ernst & Young, 494 56, (1990) (STEVENS, concurring); Chesapeake Ohio Schwalb, 493 40, 51 (1989) judgment); 376-377 dissenting);2 Shearson/American Express McMahon, 482 220, 268-269 part). identified intended construction. 212 (1960); Staszcuk, 517 1975). Third, cases,3 beneficiaries dramatic retreat maintained important will professional criminals needed extortion.4 43 respectfully dissent. argument, asked: "[D]o you your sit-ins?" 25. responded: "Under circumstances, illegal prevent operating."Ibid. Indeed, Ninth illustrates Courts Appeals: `things.' make 667 (4th 1978) (right outside pressure imposed); 340 (5th Cir.) unrealized profits).... Cf. 395 (1st (rejection narrow perception `property'); Battaglia 383 303 (9th 1967) lease space bowling alley threats).... Chase's falls "Evidence previously suffices. Appellants' objective Chase lucrative business. unsuccessful preclude conviction." None following 1969), novel suggestion amounted nonfederal misdemeanor "coercion," 405 (majority opinion); 411 (GINSBURG, concurring). corrected inMcNally passing 1346, overruled McNally. Bortnovsky, 879 30, 1989) ("Section 1346 overrules McNally"). Of course, remains correct well. 108 694 expressed GINSBURG,ante, 411, 412, misguided expand preserve bring prosecutions was, today,

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