Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/470/856/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 07:55:40+00:00

Document:
Petitioner, a previously convicted felon, was arrested when the police found him in possession of another person's revolver that was reported missing; he reportedly threatened a neighbor with the revolver, and tried unsuccessfully to sell it. Petitioner was then indicted on charges of receiving a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(h)(1) and for possessing it in violation of 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202(a)(1). He was convicted in Federal District Court on both counts and sentenced to consecutive terms of imprisonment on the respective counts. The Court of Appeals remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to modify the sentences to make them concurrent.
Held: Congress did not intend a convicted felon, in petitioner's position, to be punished under both § 922(h) and § 1202(a)(1). Congress recognized that a felon who receives a firearm inevitably also possesses it, and therefore did not intend to subject that person to two convictions for the same criminal act; the legislative history supports this reading of congressional intent. While the Government may seek a multiple-count indictment against a felon for violations of §§ 922(h) and 1202(a)(1) involving the same weapon where a single act establishes the receipt and the possession, the defendant may not suffer two convictions or sentences on that indictment. If the jury returns guilty verdicts for each count, the trial court should enter judgment on only one count. The remedy of ordering one of the sentences to be served concurrently with the other cannot be squared with Congress' intention. Pp. 470 U. S. 859-865.
734 F.2d 965, vacated and remanded.
BURGER, C.J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BRENNAN, WHITE, BLACKMUN, REHNQUIST, and O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, J., concurred in the judgment. STEVENS, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 470 U. S. 867. POWELL, J., took no part in the decision of the case.
We granted certiorari to decide whether a felon possessing a firearm may be convicted and concurrently sentenced under 18 U.S.C. § 922(h)(1) for receiving that firearm, and under 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202(a)(1) for possessing the same weapon. 469 U.S. 816 (1984).
After driving around Honaker, Virginia, with several acquaintances, including petitioner Truman Ball, Hubert Romans discovered that his .32-caliber nickel-plated Rossi revolver was missing from the back seat of his car. [Footnote 1] He reported the incident to the Russell County Sheriff's Department. Subsequently, a neighbor notified the Sheriff that Ball had threatened him with a pistol matching the description of Romans' revolver. Later that same day, the police located Ball at another neighbor's home where Ball had tried unsuccessfully to sell the revolver. When the police told Ball he was under arrest, Ball fled hut was promptly apprehended with Romans' revolver in his possession.
counts [Footnote 4] by a jury in the Western District of Virginia and sentenced to consecutive terms of three years' imprisonment on the receipt count and two years' imprisonment on the possession count, the latter sentence suspended with two years' probation.
On appeal, Ball challenged the validity of the consecutive sentences. The Government conceded that, under United States v. Burton, 629 F.2d 975 (CA4 1980), cert. denied, 450 U.S. 968 (1981), consecutive sentences could not be imposed for unlawful receipt and unlawful possession of the same firearm when the unlawful possession was incident to its unlawful receipt. The Court of Appeals accepted this concession and adhered to its statement in Burton that "Congress in these firearms statutes created separate offenses, but did not authorize pyramiding penalties." 734 F.2d 965, 966 (CA4 1984) (citing Burton, supra, at 977). The Court of Appeals remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to modify the sentences to make them concurrent.
The application of the firearms statutes, § 922(h)(1) and § 1202(a)(1), charging a convicted felon with receiving and possessing the same gun, has produced conflicting decisions among the Courts of Appeals. [Footnote 5] We granted certiorari to resolve this conflict. We reverse.
It is clear that a convicted felon may be prosecuted simultaneously for violations of §§ 922(h) and 1202(a) involving the same firearm. This Court has long acknowledged the Government's broad discretion to conduct criminal prosecutions, including its power to select the charges to be brought in a particular case. E.g., United States v. Goodwin, 457 U. S. 368, 457 U. S. 382 (1982); Confiscation Cases, 7 Wall. 454, 74 U. S. 457-459 (1869).
"each substantive statute, in conjunction with its own sentencing provision, operates independently of the other."
To say that a convicted felon may be prosecuted simultaneously for violation of §§ 922(h) and 1202(a), however, is not to say that he may be convicted and punished for two offenses. Congress can be read as allowing charges under two different statutes with conviction and sentence confined to one. Indeed, "[a]ll guides to legislative intent," United States v. Woodward, 469 U. S. 105, 469 U. S. 109 (1985), show that Congress intended a felon in Ball's position to be convicted and punished for only one of the two offenses if the possession of the firearm is incidental to receiving it.
This Court has consistently relied on the test of statutory construction stated in Blockburger v. United States, 284 U. S. 299, 284 U. S. 304 (1932), to determine whether Congress intended the same conduct to be punishable under two criminal provisions. The appropriate inquiry under Blockburger is "whether each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not." See, e.g., United States v. Woodward, supra, at 469 U. S. 107; Albernaz v. United States, 450 U. S. 333, 450 U. S. 337 (1981); Whalen v. United States, 445 U. S. 684, 445 U. S. 691-692 (1980). The assumption underlying the Blockburger rule is that Congress ordinarily does not intend to punish the same offense under two different statutes.
For purposes of applying the Blockburger test in this setting as a means of ascertaining congressional intent, "punishment" must be the equivalent of a criminal conviction, and not simply the imposition of sentence. Congress could not have intended to allow two convictions for the same conduct, even if sentenced under only one; Congress does not create criminal offenses having no sentencing component. See United States v. Hudson & Goodwin, 7 Cranch 32, 11 U. S. 34 (1812); Tennessee v. Davis, 100 U. S. 257, 100 U. S. 275 (1880) (Clifford, J., dissenting).
Cf. Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 32(b)(1), which provides that the sentence is a necessary component of a "judgment of conviction."
Applying this rule to the firearms statutes, it is clear that Congress did not intend to subject felons to two convictions; proof of illegal receipt of a firearm necessarily includes proof of illegal possession of that weapon. "[W]hen received, a firearm is necessarily possessed." United States v. Martin, 732 F.2d 591, 592 (CA7 1984). [Footnote 9] In other words, Congress seems clearly to have recognized that a felon who receives a firearm must also possess it, and thus had no intention of subjecting that person to two convictions for the same criminal act.
"Congress' worry about the easy availability of firearms, especially to those persons who pose a threat to community peace."
Lewis v. United States, 445 U. S. 55, 445 U. S. 66 (1980). Accordingly, "[e]ach [Title] seeks to keep a firearm from any person . . . who has been convicted' of a felony. . . ." Id. at 445 U. S. 64.
"it possible to keep firearms out of the hands of those not legally entitled to possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetency. . . ."
S.Rep. No. 1097, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., 28 (1968).
Having concluded that Congress did not intend petitioner's conduct to be punishable under both §§ 922(h) and 1202(a), the only remedy consistent with the congressional intent is for the District Court, where the sentencing responsibility resides, to exercise its discretion to vacate one of the underlying convictions. The remedy of ordering one of the sentences to be served concurrently with the other cannot be squared with Congress' intention. One of the convictions, as well as its concurrent sentence, is unauthorized punishment for a separate offense. See Missouri v. Hunter, 459 U. S. 359, 459 U. S. 368 (1983).
the concurrence of the sentence. The separate conviction, apart from the concurrent sentence, has potential adverse collateral consequences that may not be ignored. For example, the presence of two convictions on the record may delay the defendant's eligibility for parole or result in an increased sentence under a recidivist statute for a future offense. Moreover, the second conviction may be used to impeach the defendant's credibility, and certainly carries the societal stigma accompanying any criminal conviction. See Benton v. Maryland, 395 U. S. 784, 395 U. S. 790-791 (1969); Sibron v. New York, 392 U. S. 40, 392 U. S. 54-56 (1968). Thus, the second conviction, even if it results in no greater sentence, is an impermissible punishment.
We emphasize that, while the Government may seek a multiple-count indictment against a felon for violations of §§ 922(h) and 1202(a) involving the same weapon where a single act establishes the receipt and possession, the accused may not suffer two convictions or sentences on that indictment. If, upon the trial, the district judge is satisfied that there is sufficient proof to go to the jury on both counts, he should instruct the jury as to the elements of each offense. Should the jury return guilty verdicts for each count, however, the district judge should enter judgment on only one of the statutory offenses.
We hold that Congress did not intend a convicted felon in Ball's position to be convicted of both receiving a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(h) and possessing that firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202(a). Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand with instructions to have the District Court exercise its discretion to vacate one of the convictions.
"It shall be unlawful for any person -- "
"(1) who is under indictment for, or who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;"
"(2) is a fugitive from justice;"
"(3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or any depressant or stimulant drug (as defined in section 201(v) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or narcotic drug (as defined in section 4731(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954); or"
"(4) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution;"
"to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce."
"Whoever violates any provision of this chapter . . . shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, and shall become eligible for parole as the Board of Parole shall determine."
"(5) being an alien is illegally or unlawfully in the United States,"
Act, any firearm shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both."
In October 1981, Elliot Brothers of South Carolina had shipped the revolver to McGlothlin's Store in Honaker, Virginia. On February 22, 1982, McGlothlin sold the gun to Romans.
At the outset of the trial, the parties stipulated that Ball previously had been convicted of the state felony of threatening a dwelling house. App. 2-3.
See Appendix to this opinion for the complete texts of the relevant statutes.
The chain of sale described in n 1, supra, established the interstate commerce connection required by the firearms statutes. See Barrett v. United States, 423 U. S. 212 (1976); Scarborough v. United States, 431 U. S. 563 (1977).
The Tenth Circuit has held that a convicted felon may be convicted and sentenced cumulatively under both statutes. United States v. Larranaga, 614 F.2d 239, 241 (1980). The Fifth, Ninth, and District of Columbia Circuits have concluded that the Government must elect to prosecute a convicted felon under one of the statutes. United States v. Larson, 625 F.2d 67, 69 (CA5 1980); United States v. Conn, 716 F.2d 550, 553 (CA9 1983); United States v. Girst, 207 App.D.C. 89, 92, 645 F.2d 1014, 1017 (1979). The Fourth Circuit has decided that a convicted felon may be convicted under both statutes, but the separate sentences must run concurrently. United States v. Burton, 629 F.2d 975, 977-978 (1980). The Third and Seventh Circuits have remanded cases to the District Courts in order to vacate one of the convictions and sentences. United States v. Taylor, 635 F.2d 232, 233 (CA3 1980); United States v. Martin, 732 F.2d 591, 593 (CA7 1984).
We have no occasion to consider here whether a felon may be convicted of both offenses if he possessed a firearm on one occasion and, after giving up possession, later reacquired the gun, see, e.g., United States v. Robbins, 579 F.2d 1151 (CA9 1978), or if he received and possessed different weapons at different times or in various places, see, e.g., United States v. Vance, 724 F.2d 517 (CA6 1983); United States v. Filipponio, 702 F.2d 664 (CA7 1983).
"when an act violates more than one criminal statute, the Government may prosecute under either, so long as it does not discriminate against any class of defendants,"
442 U.S. at 442 U. S. 123-124, interpreting the reference to "either" statute to require the Government to proceed under only one of the two provisions. The Court's observation was a response to the claim that the two statutes permitted excessive prosecutorial discretion because the Government could, in effect, choose the penalty to apply in a given case by proceeding under one statute instead of the other. The Court's reference to "either" statute merely reaffirmed the Government's discretion to charge under one statute rather than the other. The Court had no intention of restricting the Government to prosecuting for only a single offense, an issue not before the Court. This is confirmed by Batchelder's conclusion that the two statutes are "each fully enforceable on [their] own terms." Id. at 442 U. S. 119.
"the Clause does not prohibit the State from prosecuting [the defendant] for such multiple offenses in a single prosecution."
Id. at 467 U. S. 500.
Indeed, in United States v. Gaddis, 424 U. S. 544 (1976), the Court concluded that "there can be no impropriety . . . for a prosecutor to file an information containing counts charging violations of" several different provisions of the federal bank robbery statute where there is evidence to support the charges, even though the defendant could not in the end stand convicted of both offenses. Id. at 424 U. S. 550.
As the Government suggests, the converse may not be true. For example, a felon may possess a firearm without having "received" it; he may have manufactured the gun himself. Brief for United States 13-14.
"reflects a similar concern with keeping firearms out of the hands of categories of potentially irresponsible persons, including convicted felons."
"any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence or is a fugutive [sic] from justice to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce . . . ,"
52 Stat. 1251. Section 922(h), although maintaining § 2(f)'s operative phrase, expanded the categories of persons prohibited from receiving firearms. See Appendix to this opinion.
Senator Tydings, for example, explained that "Title VII . . . is . . . primarily designed to restrict access to handguns to criminals, juveniles, and fugitives." 114 Cong.Rec. 13639 (1968). See also id. at 13868, 14773 (remarks of Sen. Long). For a concise review of Title VII's surprisingly swift passage through the Congress, see Scarborough v. United States, 431 U. S. 563, 431 U. S. 573-574 (1977); United States v. Bass, 404 U. S. 336, 404 U. S. 344, n. 11 (1971).
Each statute reaches substantial groups of people not covered by the other. Section 922(h), for example, covers persons who are under indictment for a felony, who are fugitives, and who are narcotics offenders. Section 1202(a), on the other hand, covers persons dishonorably discharged from the service, illegal aliens, and persons who have renounced their citizenship. Senator Long explained that the assortment of persons brought within the ambit of § 1202(a) reflected those responsible for the rash of assassinations and publicized murders in "recent history," which included the deaths of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the murders of several civil rights workers in the South. 114 Cong.Rec. 14773 (1968). Only two groups -- convicted felons and adjudicated mental incompetents -- fall within the overlap between the two provisions. There is no suggestion in the legislative history that these persons pose a greater threat to society such that Congress thought they deserved to be punished more severely, i.e., under both statutes for a single act.
"since receipt of a firearm will almost necessarily entail possession of that firearm, . . . we agree with petitioner that it is unlikely that Congress intended to permit consecutive punishment in the circumstances presented here."
Memorandum for United States in Taylor v. United States, O.T. 1980, No. 80-5187, pp. 2-3.
The Court correctly holds that petitioner's conduct may support a conviction under either § 922(h)(1) or § 1202(a)(1), but not both. In reaching that conclusion, the Court unnecessarily volunteers the opinion that "there is no bar to the Government's proceeding with prosecution simultaneously under the two statutes." Ante at 470 U. S. 860; see also ante at 470 U. S. 859. Even if that opinion were well founded, I see no reason why this Court should go out of its way to encourage prosecutors to tilt the scales of justice against the defendant by employing such tactics.
"[T]he entry of two convictions and the imposition of two sentences cannot be justified on the ground that the legislature could have simply created one crime but prescribed harsher punishment for that crime. This argument incorrectly assumes that the total sentence imposed is all that matters, and that the number of convictions that can be obtained is of no relevance to the concerns underlying the Double Jeopardy Clause."
of at least one of those crimes. Moreover, where the prosecution's evidence is weak, its ability to bring multiple charges may substantially enhance the possibility that, even though innocent, the defendant may be found guilty on one or more charges as a result of a compromise verdict. The submission of two charges, rather than one, gives the prosecution"
"the advantage of offering the jury a choice -- a situation which is apt to induce a doubtful jury to find the defendant guilty of the less serious offense, rather than to continue the debate as to his innocence."
"Cichos v. Indiana, 385 U. S. 76, 385 U. S. 81 (1966) (Fortas, J., dissenting from dismissal of certiorari). *"
"It is true that compromise is possible even under the familiar procedure whereby a lesser included offense is submitted along with a greater offense and the jury is told that it can convict on only one charge. Under the usual procedure, however, the risk of an irrational compromise is reduced by the rule that a lesser included offense will not be submitted to the jury if the element that distinguishes the two offenses is not in dispute. See, e.g., Sansone v. United States, 380 U. S. 343 (1965); United States v. Tsanas, 572 F.2d 340, 345-346 (CA2), cert. denied, 435 U.S. 995 (1978)."
459 U.S. at 459 U. S. 372, n. 4 (MARSHALL, J., dissenting).

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