Document: 515 U.S. 177115 S.Ct. 2031132 L.Ed.2d 136 James D. RYDER, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 94-431. Supreme Court of the United States Argued April 18, 1995. Decided June 12, Syllabus * Petitioner, an enlisted member Coast Guard, was convicted by a court-martial drug offenses, and Guard Military Review affirmed. On rehearing, that court rejected petitioner's claim its composition violated Appointments Clause, Const., Art. II, § 2, cl. because two judges on three-judge panel were civilians appointed General Counsel Department Transportation. The Appeals agreed with petitioner appointments Clause under previous decision in v. Carpenter, 37 M.J. 291, appellate military are inferior officers who must be President, law, or head department. nonetheless affirmed conviction ground actions civilian valid de facto, citing Buckley Valeo, 424 1, 96 612, 46 659 (1976) (per curiam). Held: erred according facto validity to Review. Pp. ____. (a) officer doctrine—which confers upon acts performed color official title even though it is later discovered legality actor's appointment election office deficient—cannot invoked authorize question. Those cases which this relied doctrine deciding criminal defendants' challenges authority judge participated proceedings leading their sentence, see, e.g., Ball States, 140 118, 11 761, 35 L.Ed. 377, distinguishable here because, inter alia, there has been trespass constitutional power appointment, not merely misapplication statute providing for assignment already judges. One makes timely challenge constitutionality adjudicates his case entitled merits question whatever relief may appropriate if violation indeed occurred. Cf. Glidden Co. Zdanok, 370 530, 536, 82 1459, 1465, 8 671. Any other rule would create disincentive raise respect questionable judicial appointments. Valeo Connor Williams, 404 549, 92 656, 30 704, cited as authority, civil did explicitly rely validating past public officials against challenges, inclined extend those beyond facts. (b) rejects Government's several alternative defenses Appeals' give Carpenter holding prospective application only. First, argument latter exercised remedial discretion pursuant Chevron Oil Huson, 97, 349, 296, unavailing sort grave disruption inequity involved awarding retrospective bring into play. Nor persuasively argued qualified immunity, specially protects from damages liability judgment calls made legally uncertain environment, should extended protect such attacks, do involve personal damages, but can only invalidate taken defective title. Similarly, practice denying defendants exclusionary remedy Fourth Amendment violations when errors occur despite government actors' good faith, Leon, 468 897, 104 3405, 677, does require affirmance conviction, since no collateral consequence arises rectifying violation, see id., at 907, 3412, rectification provides suitable incentive make 918-921, S.Ct., 3418-3419. Finally, harmless-error need considered, raised below indication determined harm occurred case. related any defect effect cured review difference function between courts. Petitioner therefore hearing before properly 39 454 (CMA 1994), reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Allen Lotz, Washington, DC, petitioner. Lawrence G. Wallace, respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 court-martial. His first Review, then Appeals.1 served had accordance dictates held facto. We hold judges' 2 sentenced general five years' confinement (later reduced three years), forfeiture pay, reduction grade, dishonorable discharge. He appealed which, except one minor aspect, conviction. 34 1077 (1992). request challenged violative Constitution granted rehearing challenge. 1259 3 likewise (1994), although Clause. conclusion 291 (1993), where decided whose service requires 2.2 Despite finding panel, these certiorari. 513 ----, 115 713, 130 621 (1995). 4 person acting person's deficient. Norton Shelby County, 118 425, 440, 6 1121, 1124, 178 (1886). "The springs fear chaos result multiple repetitious suits challenging every action could open question, seeks insuring orderly functioning technical defects office." 63A Am.Jur.2d, Public Officers Employees 578, pp. 1080-1081 (1984) (footnote omitted). involving some part sentence. 5 In 377 (1891), Circuit Judge assigned District Western Louisiana sit Eastern Texas replacement resident fallen ill died. continued until successor deceased duly appointed. after died, objection time. moved arrest sentence imposed him death judge, "was jure, attack." Id., 128-129, 765. McDowell 159 596, 16 111, 40 271 (1895), North Carolina South vacancy district filled. indicted during term served, time indictment trial. claimed error judge's designation. This "judge facto," "his such, so far they affect third persons, question." 601, 112. further observed McDowell's "presents mere matter statutory construction. . It involves executive appointment." 598, case, Ex parte Ward, 173 452, 19 459, 43 765 (1899), sought original writ habeas corpus grounds Senate recess improper. "the he point cannot collaterally attacked." 456, 460. 7 us, while pending direct review. Unlike Ball, McDowell, titles very prior And based Article II Constitution—a "trespass appointment," supra, 112, rather than serve districts. 125, 685, we said "[t]he could, course, read dealing etiquette protocol describing 'Officers States' drafters less frivo- lous purpose mind." bulwark branch aggrandizing expense another branch, more: "preserves aspect Constitution's structural integrity preventing diffusion power." Freytag Commissioner, 501 868, 878, 111 2631, 2638, 764 (1991). 671 (1962), declined invoke order avoid arising III Constitution, saying "basic protections designed benefit litigants." 1465 (plurality). think 9 relied, without reason, our (1976). There, plaintiffs Federal Election Commission members separation powers grounds. them four Congress, quite summarily "past accorded validity." 142, 693. determination 550-551, 657-658, 704 (1972), legislative legislators have elected unconstitutional apportionment void. 10 Neither nor doctrine, reached each validated officials. But Buckley, favor, declaratory injunctive awarded them. Connor, like voting rights cases, State Board Elections, 393 544, 572, 89 817, 835, 22 (1969); Cipriano City Houma, 395 701, 1897, 23 647 (1969) curiam), specific officer's title, entire body. assumed, arguendo, equal protection infected Court's reapportionment plan, elections occurred, reserved propriety requested petitioners completion rectify present court-ordered redistricting plan. 657-658. To extent thought implicitly applied form facts.3 Government alternatively defends was, reasons, proper argues 296 (1971).4 continuing Harper Virginia Dept. Taxation, 509 113 2510, 125 74 Reynoldsville Casket Hyde, 514 1745, --- ---- (1995), parties agree As concern flood petitions will ensue, precedent little basis fears. (1899). 12 persuade us inquiry clearly established law pertains immunity counsels favor deny Qualified specter environment. Harlow Fitzgerald, 457 800, 806, 102 2727, 2732, 73 396 (1982) ("[O]ur decisions consistently " (emphasis added)). Providing claimant raising subject represent "potentially disabling threa[t] liability," invalidates attacks. 13 faith actors, 677 (1984), Finding deterrent suppression compelled Amendment, 910, 3413-3414, specifically "objectionable [the] interference justice system's truth-finding function" requiring blanket all violations, relative ineffectiveness deter future particular cases. No similar correcting challenges. 14 finally suggests something akin affirming refusing redress suffered adverse consequences Brief 33. argue error, assuming harmless, summary disposition issue address whether alleged susceptible harmless also argues, least obliquely, available Appeals. 24, n. 16. Again, hierarchical nature system courts, cure envisioned Government. 15 Congress tiers courts "[t]o Rules Regulation land naval Forces." I, 8, 14. Cases tried consisting alone. 16(1), UCMJ, U.S.C. 816(1). Four Courts (one Army, Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps) hear appeals courts-martial approved death, dismissal commissioned officer, punitive discharge, year more. 66, 866(b)(1). These panels more, exercise novo over factual findings legal conclusions 66(c), 866(c).5 last resort Five President confirmed comprise court. 942 (1988 ed., Supp. V). grants "upon petition accused cause shown." 67, 867(a) scope narrower Review; long competent evidence record establish elements offense reasonable doubt, reevaluate Wilson, 214 (1979). 17 Examining Appeals, clear former broader claims revise determinations, sentences latter. simply said, therefore, constituted gave possibility given him. reversed, remanded consistent opinion. 18 ordered. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. See Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 1995, Pub.L. 103-337, 924, 108 Stat. 2831, changed nomenclature "Court[s] Review" rechristened Criminal Appeals" "United redesignated Armed adhere names reads full: "[The President] shall nominate, Advice Consent Senate, appoint Ambassadors, Ministers Consuls, Judges supreme Court, herein otherwise provided for, Law: Law vest Appointment Officers, proper, alone, Law, Heads Departments." 2. For find instructive plaintiff's Northern Pipeline Construction Marathon Pipe Line 458 50, 2858, 598 (1982). declared broad grant jurisdiction I bankruptcy prospectively 88, 2088. doing so, dismissed afforded respondent 57, 2864. So party support advances virtual cornucopia factors more peculiar says validate thus affirmance. points lack substantial impact improper appeal, right review, deference owed interest avoiding system. 22. At oral argument, contended subsequent Secretary Transportation fact underlying meritless, previously active duty relevant criteria. Tr. Oral Arg. 29-30, 33-34. substance, form, arguments discussed text. below, Answer Supplement Petition 68449 (Ct.Mil.App.), 2-4, decline reach. Jenkins Anderson, 447 231, 234-235 100 2124, 2127 65 86 (1980); FTC Grolier, Inc., 462 19, 23, 6, 103 2209, 2212 76 387 (1983). "may affirm guilty, amount finds correct determines, record, approved. considering weigh evidence, credibility witnesses, determine controverted questions fact." 866(c).

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