Document: 439 U.S. 212 99 S.Ct. 492 58 L.Ed.2d 466 CORBITTv.NEW JERSEY. No. 77-5903. Argued Oct. 3, 1978. Decided Dec. 11, Syllabus Under the New Jersey homicide statutes, life imprisonment is mandatory punishment for defendants convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, while term not more than 30 years second-degree murder. Trials to court and guilty pleas are allowed in murder cases, but plea non vult allowed. If such accepted, judge need decide whether first or second degree, either same as imposed Appellant, after pleading indictment, was accordingly sentenced imprisonment. The Supreme Court affirmed, rejecting appellant's contention that possibility sentence less upon vult, combined with absence similar when found jury, an unconstitutional burden on his rights under Fifth, Sixth, Fourteenth Amendments also violated right equal protection Amendment. Held : 1. sentencing scheme does impose Amendments. Pp. 216-225. (a) Although finds defendant imprisonment, risk completely avoided because accepting has authority term. United States v. Jackson, 390 570, 88 1209, 20 138, distinguished. 216-217. (b) Not every exercise constitutional right, pressure encouragement waive invalid; specifically, there no per se rule against encouraging pleas. Here, probability certainty leniency return did invalidate sentence, having been assurances would have accepted if it had lesser imposed. Cf. Bordenkircher Hayes, 434 357, 98 663, 54 604. 218-222. (c) appellant tendered imposed, this simply recognized constitutionally permissible take fact into account. Absent abolition bargaining, forbidden Constitution extend proper degree pleas, done that. 222-223. (d) There element retaliation vindictiveness going trial, where appear he subjected unwarranted charges being punished exercising right. While may be treated leniently those who go withholding from latter cannot equated impermissible long bargaining held procedure. 223-224. (e) exert powerful influence coerce inaccurate deemed suspect. State trespass so free accept refuse choice presented him State, i. e., trial face seek acceptance imposition penalty. P. 225. 2. Nor infringe Amendment, since all given plead vult. Defendants penalized their any giving up chance acquittal at trial. Equal made bad assessment risks consequences decision. 225-226. 74 N.J. 379, 378 A.2d 235, affirmed. James K. Smith, Jr., East Orange, N. J., appellant. John DeCicco, Princeton, appellee. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 statutes,1 some murders degree; rest degree. Juries rendering verdicts designate first-or crime. punishment, judge, imprisonment;2 years. cases permitted, indictments forbidden. Pleas nolo contendere, however, "If accepted," "shall conviction degree."3 entertaining determines factual basis 2 Appellant Corbitt, committing course arson—a felony one homicides.4 He His were affirmed appellate courts. rejected could term, following verdict Sixth compelled self-incrimination Fifth Amendments, well violation laws 235 (1977). We noted probable jurisdiction. 1060, 1231, 55 760 (1978). 3 Appellant's principal reliance 138 (1968). There, death provided Federal Kidnaping Act invalid only recommendation accompanying verdict, whereas maximum penalty tried waiving Only insisting faced These provisions needless consequently declared unconstitutional. 4 agree substantial differences between case Jackson require reversal Corbitt's conviction. difference pressures forgo charge what they Jackson. First, penalty, which "unique its severity irrevocability," Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 187, 96 2909, 2931, 49 859 (1976), involved here. we rationale limited avoids penalty's material law death. Furthermore, suffering guilty. although imprisonment,5 reserve insist 5 It nevertheless true whom returned classify murder6 wishes avoid do tendering plea. assurance will favored, power term.7 submission federal 6 As Court, disagree. clearly established invalid.8 Specifically, squarely encourage offering benefits plea.9 obtain "the . [not of] .," Brady States, 397 742, 751, 90 1463, 1470, 25 747 (1970), required jury. In 604 (1978), went indictment charging habitual criminal, prosecutor, willing carrying shorter sentence. chose convicted, life. conviction, holding through "no openly unpleasant alternatives forgoing facing plainly subject prosecution." Id., 365, S.Ct., 669. Relying quoting fromChaffin Stynchcombe, 412 17, 93 1977, 36 714 (1973), said: 7 "While confronting severe 'discouraging effect defendant's assertion rights, these difficult choices [is] inevitable'—and permissible—'attribute legitimate system tolerates encourages negotiation pleas.' Chaffin supra, 31 (93 1977). follows that, tolerating necessarily simple reality prosecutor's interest table persuade guilty." U.S., 364, 668. 8 significance case.10 here, included count applicable state statutes. sought counter Bordenkircher, permitted law, prosecutor criminal plea, event avoided. empowered connection bargain otherwise. both gave should tendered, and, been, Those matters rested ultimately discretion perhaps substantially influenced plea-bargaining process law.11 9 like other unequivocally State's entry facilitating mutually beneficial State.12 pursuit interest, may, not, specified This provides sets limits within place. observed "encouragement contest guilt very heart effective program." N.J., 396, A.2d, 243-244. Its conclusion light providing opportunity statutory pattern arbitrary meaning 10 essential agreement Had Corbitt Government abolish bargaining; absent action, construed our 11 discern suggestion charges. record indicate right.13 Indeed, insofar reveals, refused. doubt sustaining remain undisturbed. said, recognize propriety extending exchange demonstrated attributes based.14 12 Finally, unconvinced exerts here counseled misunderstood placed before him. "so accused [was] reject" 363, 668, is, authorized law.15 13 argues infringes Amendment penalizes "fundamental right." argument North Carolina Pearce, 395 711, 89 2072, 23 656 (1969), noting "[t]o fit problem framework task too Procrustean rationally accomplished." 723, 2079. All choice. electing murder; acquitted instead or, case, receive itself result result, therefore, 14 "may depend particular combination infinite variables peculiar each individual said invidiously 'classified' ." 722, 15 "penalized" give instance, faces multitude possible outcomes freely makes judgment 16 ordered. 17 STEWART, concurring judgment. 18 I controlling case. requested pleaded waived circumstances, part statute "impose[d] 572, 1211. 19 scheme, contrast, present. Unlike issue can pleads goes Moreover, general even though underlying facts supported gone Since offense greater first- manslaughter. impossible confidence penalize decision guilty.* statement "[t]here case." Ante, 221. 604, negotiations attorney prosecution defense context adversary justice. seems me vast settlement litigation counsel parties, present prosecuting attorney, acting advocate, must able settle lawsuit legislature quite different function perform. Could one-half not-guilty plea? suppose legislation reasoning Court's suggests otherwise, concur 21 STEVENS, BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 22 concept "false" place jurisprudence.1 A support accusation evidence.2 therefore unqualified right—before retains presumption innocence—to guilty.3 Because once criminally punishable protected, purpose "patently unconstitutional." 581, 1216, dispositive case.4 Today, decides full crime charged additionally entering specifically overruled, divorced rested. 24 seriously contend § 2A:113-3 justified valid conserving scarce prosecutorial resources restatement obvious motivate expensive appellee correct money-saving inducement success attributable deterrent resist inducement. attempt distinguish imposes "falsely" regardless That beside point significantly standard exercises submits without For former, prescribed latter, "only discretionary spectrum length" extends downward anywhere all. Dobbert Florida, 432 282, 300, 97 2290, 2301, 53 344. Whether viewed legislative enacting impact how plead, punitive standards "onerous" maximum, minimum, differed.5 Just subjects stands guilty.6 26 equivalent negotiated prosecutor. bargains serve common 2A:113-3, penalizing legal rights. process, indi vidual factors relevant considered sentencing, plea;7 mandate depending solely entered.8 27 Of importance refuses protected recalcitrance; whatever receives conduct offenses proved trial.9 range penalties insisted "offense" 28 legislature, voice community identifying crimes penalties,10 inflexibly engraved itself. disavow disparage policy imposing special person allows do. reiterated last Term, implementation inevitably produces due most basic sort.11 29 stand absolutely mute bar justice force government make aid earliest days Republic.12 silence, formal invocation retain simultaneously offense. act lawful unlawful. essence respectfully dissent repudiation. statutes N.J.Stat.Ann. §§ 2A:113-1 2A:113-4 (West 1969 Supp.1978-1979): "2A:113-1. Murder person, attempting commit arson, burglary, kidnapping, rape, robbery, sodomy unlawful peace state, bloodshed, kills another, anyone ensues act; magistrate, sheriff, constable officer justice, civil marshal execution office duty, assistants, specially called endeavoring preserve apprehend knowing assistant, private suppress affray, intention interposes, then killing "2A:113-2. Degrees designation "Murder perpetrated means poison, lying wait, kind willful, deliberate premeditated killing, committed perpetrating perpetrate robbery sodomy, resisting, avoiding preventing arrest, effecting assisting escape rescue custody, police enforcement duty acting, Any finding shall degree." "2A:113-3. Murder; received; contendere thereon "In received if, arraignment, offered, disregarded, entered, duly impaneled, try "Nothing herein contained prevent indictment; "2A:113-4. "Every [his] aiders, abettors, counselors procurers, suffer unless thereof, consideration evidence, recommend years." Manslaughter separately defined 2A:113-5 1969). provision invalidated Funicello Jersey, 403 948, 91 2278, (1971). On remand, severable ruled Funicello, 60 60, 286 55, cert. denied sub nom. Presha, 408 942, 92 2849, 33 766 (1972). suggests, complete See Sullivan, 43 209, 246, 203 177, 196 (1964). maintains innocence, mute, admit establish guilt. Reali, 222, 139 300 (1958); Sands, N.J.Super. 103, 109-112, 350 274, 277-279 (App.Div.1975); Rhein, 117 112, 283 759 (App.Div.1971). indicted two counts arson felony-murder basis. count. Sentences concurrent merged separate set aside appeal. Stat.Ann. 2A:113-2 1969) directs "designate thus appears appropriate instructed first-and proceeded basis; case; instructions far us request object crimes. directed generally. hold hearing determining determination. Williams, 39 471, 479, 189 193, 197 (1963); Walker, 580, 588-589, 166 567, 571-572 (1960). might warranted verdict. example, Crampton Ohio, decided McGautha California, 402 183, 1454, 711 (1971), upheld Ohio's procedure whereby single argued unitary impaired silent cost surrendering punishment. stated there, argument: "The system, replete situations requiring 'the making judgments' follow. McMann Richardson, (759), 769 (90 1441, 763). dimensions, follow whichever chooses, token always forbid choose." 213, 1470. 750, 1469, (1970). Nobles, 422 225, 95 2160, 45 141 (1975), District condition admissibility impeachment testimony witness production investigative report prepared witness, Nobles' violate compulsory cross-examination. intimated much itself: "[T]he evil coerces waivers needlessly them." 583, 1217. Decisions sustained practices "needless." petitioner 50 years' statute, Act, claimed involuntary, relying served needlessly. effect, invalidation entered prior concluded "read opinion." 746, 1468. way altered test Boykin Alabama, 238, 242, 1709, 1711, 274 knowing, voluntary, intelligent. Subsequent decisions reaffirmed permissibility "every circumstance discouraging rights," "imposition [is the] inevitable attribute pleas." 31, 1985, (1973). 759, 763 (1970); Parker Carolina, 790, 1458, 785 Alford, 400 25, 160, 162 Santobello York, 404 257, 495, 427 (1971); Ludwig Massachusetts, 618, 2781, 732 challenged Massachusetts disposition certain appeal de novo. tier, suffered harsher appealed Recognizing efficient procedure, claim based discouraged sentences exercised 627-628, n. 4, 2786-2787, 4. original include count, added reindicted refusal plead. escalation failure dissenters vindictiveness, here; rely aspect fortiori govern contains charge. expressly authorizes bargaining. Rule 3:9-3(a). reached "placed open time entered." 3:9-3(b). Rules permit disclosure tentative secure advance approval. 3:9-3(c). event, "determines interests effectuating agreement," withdraw 3:9-3(e). several times State. Blackledge Allison, 431 63, 71, 1621, 1627, 52 736 (1977), "Whatever situation ideal world, often concomitant important components country's system. Properly administered, benefit concerned. extended pretrial incarceration anxieties uncertainties trial; gains speedy acknowledge guilt, prompt start realizing potential rehabilitation. Judges prosecutors conserve vital resources. public posed large bail awaiting completion proceedings." (Footnote omitted.) 260-261, 497-498; 751-752, 1470-1471, derived resources, accrue equally occurs framework. dissent's suggestion, post, 229-230, concedes untenable, see Brief Appellee 28-31, inconsistent later description position, 230. question But next breath, embrace systems operating majority jurisdictions throughout country inherently available asserts attack rather individualize entered. distinction substance purposes place, operates virtue rules Jersey. permits amount sense, Second, tendered; must, Even leaves normal juries find first. Third, despite offer including dismissal yet provide particularly contemplated forward legislature. suggest conceivable structure, constitutional. allowance exceeded powers respect cases. * himself guilty, convicted. brought facial constitutionality motion dismiss indictment. 571, 1210. evidence. testimonial. oath. When 'not guilty,' evidence .. put proof defend. testimonial evidentiary, demand it. used extract purpose, further over objection convert pervert form compels testify own do." Wood 75 U.S.App.D.C. 282-283, 128 F.2d 265, 273-274 (1942) (Rutledge, J.). Sorrells 287 435, 452, 210, 216, 77 L.Ed. 511 (not-guilty entrapment implies admission committed); Valentina, 71 N.J.L. 552, 556, A. 179 (1905) confession inconsistent). Among implications privilege "[g]overnments, federal, [may be] independently secured, coercion prove out mouth." Malloy Hogan, 1, 7-8, 84 1489, 1493, 653. expressed Dean Wigmore, gives "requir[e] shoulder entire load." J. Evidence 2251, p. 317 (McNaughten rev. ed. 1961), quoted Murphy Waterfront Comm'n, 52, 1594, 1596, 678. Upon stand, shielded until Davis 160 469, 485-486, 353, 40 499. Byrd 119 360, 362, 342 939, 941 (1965); Mayfield, 59 F. 118, (ED La.1893). Long incorporation Fourteenth, firmly enforced principles: "[A] charge, calls denies credibility casts establishing beyond reasonable doubt. words mere formalities, express principles jurisprudence ought readily abandoned, worn away invasion." Hardy, N.C. 799, 804-805, S.E. 152, 155 (1925). "Our establishment assert course, discourage deter chill choose them, patently 1216 (footnote omitted). predicate Lindsey Washington, 301 397, 57 797, 81 1182. change burglary applied retroactively new increase 15-year mandatory: "Removal fifteen [defendants'] detriment sense adopted onerous old." 400-401, 798. Accord, 344 ("[O]ne barred challenging penal code ex post facto grounds old"). Lockett 438 586, 619, 2954, 2972, 973 (BLACKMUN, judgment) (A "a enduring semimandatory [death-penalty provision], [the] purely discretionary, capital-sentencing provision" creates "disparity prospects [that] great survive Jackson"). Stone's unanimous disposes appellee's distinguishable consequence plea: changed alone," striking instance revision minimum compulsory." 401, 799. "[i]t disadvantage petitioners deprived receive" maximum. 402-403, 747-752, 1468-1471, 747, entitled treatment "maximum law." respect, merely trying alone. price incorrect waiver proof, confront one's accusers, defense. 243, 1712, 274. 2079, 656. Whenever flexibility individualization judicial condemned practice. 725, 2080. message Jackson; supra; 714; three "deliberately employ induce [a] tender guilty," Brady, 751 8, 1470 "objective [of] penaliz[ing] person's [such action] 'patently unconstitutional.' " Chaffin, 32-33, 20, 1986, 20. forcefully States. However, unlike respondent higher trial." 1467. Instead, knowingly voluntarily lower buttressed "inherently coercive Ibid. Coker 433 584, 594, 2861, 2867, 982. Hudson Goodwin, Cranch 32, 259. "To punish sort." Hare, Fed.Cas. page 148, 15,304 (CC Md. 1818); Gilbert, 1287, 15,204 Mass. 1834) (Story, passed qualified invitation extraction torture piene forte et dure. McPhaul 364 372, 386-387, 146, 136 (Douglas, dissenting); re 1882). universally silence arraignment Beadon, 164 (CA2 1931), denied, 284 625, 76 533.

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