Document: 481 U.S. 400 107 S.Ct. 1825 95 L.Ed.2d 354 MONTANAv.Franklin T. HALL, Sr. No. 86-1381. April 27, 1987. PER CURIAM. 1 In 1984 the State of Montana filed an information in Yellowstone County District Court charging respondent with felony sexual assault violation Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-502 (1981). The affidavit support indicated that took place during summer 1983, and victim was daughter respondent's ex-wife. 12 years old at time offense. Four days before trial, a motion to dismiss information, arguing because his stepdaughter he could be prosecuted only for incest, under 45-5-507 (1983), not assault. Respondent argued incest merely specific instance assault, Legislature had intended incestuous acts subject prosecution more general statute. On morning held hearing then granted motion. promptly new proceeded trial. A jury convicted respondent. judge sentenced 10 years' imprisonment, but suspended 5 sentence. 2 appealed conviction Supreme Court, raising number claims directly relevant issue this Court. One lawfully within meaning course considering claim, discovered statute applied assaults against stepchildren. amended which tried become effective until October 1, three months after question. March 5, 1986, bringing matter attention 3 After briefing on questions raised by State's motion, concluded void retroactive application would violate ex post facto law prohibition Constitution, Art. II, 31. It also Double Jeopardy Clause Fifth Amendment Federal Constitution prohibited retrial stated "[i]f offense charged second trial is same fact as first double jeopardy clause prohibits successive trials." 224 187, 190, 728 P.2d 1339, 1340 (1986) (citing Brown v. Ohio, 432 161, 167, n. 6, 97 2221, 2226, 53 187 (1977)). court analyzed elements they were purposes. Relying conclusion it barred retrial. As alternative ground decision, noted "was crime did exist date offense." 192, P.2d, 1342. court's view, committing nonexistent jeopardy. 4 "venerable principl[e] jurisprudence" "[t]he successful appeal judgment conviction, any other than insufficiency evidence verdict, Burks United States, [437 98 2141, 57 (1978) ], poses no bar further charge." States Scott, 437 82, 90-91, 2187, 2193, 65 (1978). See generally W. LaFave & J. Israel, Criminal Procedure 24.4 (1984). Justice Harlan explained basis rule: "Corresponding right accused given fair societal interest punishing one whose guilt clear has obtained such high price indeed society pay every immunity from punishment defect sufficient constitute reversible error proceedings leading conviction. From standpoint defendant, least doubtful appellate courts zealous now are protecting effects improprieties or pretrial stage if knew reversal put irrevocably beyond reach prosecution. reality, therefore, practice serves defendants' rights well society's interest." Tateo, 377 463, 466, 84 1587, 1589, 448 (1964). 6 supra, U.S., 15, S.Ct., 2149. 7 Although Montana's prevents convicting we see reason why should allowed related charge There suggestion introduced insufficient convict supra.1 originally sought try At behest, him instead incest. these circumstances, grounds unrelated innocence, does offend Clause. 8 principal federal authority relied our decision supra. petitioner case been joyriding. serving term imprisonment auto theft. We charges joyriding theft punished single offense, thus impermissible. But analysis apposite case.2 Brown, defendant overturn conviction; indeed, served prison sentence assessed crime. Thus, when theft, actually seeking By contrast, sought, secured, invalidation This falls squarely rule permissible reversed appeal. 9 suggested forbid committed But, reading statute, conduct apparently criminal engaged it. If so, simply wrong its information. permits instrument. E.g., Ball, 163 662, 672, 16 1192, 1195, 41 L.Ed. 300 (1896). grant petition writ certiorari3 reverse Court.4 remanded inconsistent opinion. 11 so ordered. BRENNAN deny certiorari. 13 MARSHALL, dissenting. 14 For years, I have troubled disposition appeals petitions certiorari through summary per curiam opinions, without plenary merits issues decided.1 Other Justices registered similar objections, disputing Court's criteria supposedly determine clearly justified.2 Our persistent indulgence over objections colleagues tarnished what long considered judicial institution's greatest qualities, fairness integrity decisionmaking process. 15 Through dispositions, deprive litigants opportunity heard merits. Rules tell will review "when there special important reasons therefor."3 listing considerations deciding whether granted, mention things conflicting decisions unsettled law. do indicate parties address lower necessary demonstrate enough receive review.4 30-page limit responses, command "as short possible,"5 unmistakably papers contain detailed discussions find sufficiently important, inform stand oral argument."6 Yet ignore instructions proceed decide fully briefed my put, fair.7 Admittedly, dispositions possible,8 light regarding preparation responses places difficult dilemma. venture arguments granting denying certiorari, risk violating Rules; fail cover full, having heard.9 response pressures, counsel may tend extend their purposes defined Rules. Apart increasing litigants' costs, tendency can increase workload, thereby giving those who favor uncounseled additional justification allowing full merits.10 17 Not benefit thorough briefing, often obtaining complete record below. Records longer automatically certified delivered us petition.11 fact, expressly discourage transmission proceedings,12 again indicates focus warrant whether, abbreviated review, able conclude rightly wrongly decided Of course, call where think might proper, Clerk notifies development, provide supplemental merits.13 All too often, today, even bother record. Again, face dilemma: routinely request records transmitted, interests clients Rules, based less review. 18 cannot accept proposition workload unbearably. duty today consider carefully extends future well, heightened written opinions. To reduce incidence mistakes avoid delivering confusing cases made comprehensive briefs entirety. infallible, evidenced, example, each Term dismissed argument improvidently granted. effort required read minimal,14 relative gains substantial. 19 More stake, however, offsetting entitlement desires workload. Summary accord proper respect judgments courts, particularly reversed.15 judges below entire They must perceive—correctly cavalier reversals inherently informed. 20 believe, moreover, many instances display views dissenting forget equally uninformed. What troubles about particular become, decisive factor is, forge ahead issuing opinions crystal clear, times objection four Justices.16 unreasonable do, divided litigated inception. 21 "Per " Latin phrase "[b]y court,"17 distinguish opinion whole Justice. use lengthy opinion, dissent set resolve devoting usual consideration presented, wrong. Such speak voice. Instead, speaks majority take upon themselves dispute solely preliminary responses. 22 compelling reason, none suggested, nurture foster resentment, uncertainty, error. Rather, believe contemplates should, very least, invite file merits, option. simple accommodation reasonable expectations litigants, studied go way toward achieving accuracy Nation rightfully expects last resort. Until this, some other, implemented, remain dissent. 23 STEVENS, 24 "Respect independence state avoidance rendering advisory cornerstones refusal adequate independent ground." Michigan Long, 463 1032, 1040, 103 3469, 3476, 77 1201 (1983). 25 Perhaps correct assuming rest ground. Nevertheless, worthy note Article 25, Constitution1 cited holding.2 Furthermore, concluding "the [respondent's] retrial," 1342, (1986), advanced supported Hembd, 197 438, 643 567 (1982), namely impermissible question; state-law doctrine counterpart am aware. 26 My desirability turn out wholly advisory, therefore persuades me unwise. See, e.g., People P.J. Video, Inc., 68 N.Y.2d 296, 508 N.Y.S.2d 907, 501 N.E.2d 556 (declining follow New York 475 868, 106 1610, 89 871 (1986)), cert. denied, 479 1091, 1301, 94 156 (1987); Commonwealth Upton, 394 Mass. 363, 476 548 (1985) Massachusetts 466 727, 104 2085, 80 721 (1984)); Bellanca Liquor Authority, 54 228, 445 87, 429 765 (1981) Authority Bellanca, 452 714, 101 2599, 69 357 (1981)), 456 1006, 102 2296, 73 1300 (1982); Opperman, 247 N.W.2d 673 (S.D.1976) South Dakota 428 364, 96 3092, 49 1000 (1976)). 27 Nor jury's implied acquittal assault; presented both chosen Green 355 184, 78 221, 199 (1957). explicitly raise arise . appeal." 165, 2225, 5. STEVENS implicitly acknowledges, jurisdiction 28 U.S.C. 1257(3). "fairly appears primarily law, interwoven law," adequacy possible opinion." 1040-1041, express correctness, constitutional "same" offenses. Allen Hardy, 478 255, 261, 2878, 2881, 92 (MARSHALL, J., dissenting); Maggio Fulford, 462 111, 120, 2261, 2265, 76 794 (1983) Griggs Provident Consumer Discount Co., 459 56, 62, 400, 404, 74 225 (1982) Wyrick Fields, 42, 50, 394, 397, 214 Harris Rivera, 454 339, 349, 460, 70 530 Schweiker Hansen, 450 785, 791, 1468, 1472, 67 685 Rosario, 446 651, 652, 100 1929, 1930, 64 587 (1980) Smith Arkansas Highway Employees, 441 99 1826, 1828, 60 360 (1979) dissenting). Board Education Rogers, Ark. McCluskey, 458 966, 971-972, 3472-3473, 1273 (STEVENS, Hollywood Motor Car 263, 271, 3081, 3085, 754 (BLACKMUN, Hutto Davis, 370, 387, 703, 712, (BRENNAN, Stone Graham, 449 39, 47, 196, 66 (REHNQUIST, Oregon Penitentiary Hammer, 434 945, 947, 469, 470, 306 (1977) Eaton Tulsa, 415 697, 707, 1228, 1234, 39 693 (1974) cf. Shipley California, 395 818, 821, 2053, 2055, 732 (1969) (WHITE, Rule 17.1. direction focuses "disclosing cause reviewed." 22.1. 21.4 22.2. case, devoted pages 7. Pet. Cert. 10-21; Respondent's Brief Opposition 8-14. An amicus curiae brief submitted behalf states total five Commonwealths Indiana et al. Amici Curiae 2-6. 23.2. lack escaped notice commentators. E. 1957 Forward: Process Law, 72 Harv.L.Rev. 77, 80, (1958); R. Stern, Gressman, S. Shapiro, Practice 284-285 (6th ed. 1986). 23.1. codified 1980. Practice, 277. Cf. 3085 286. 329-333. 19.1. party may, time, exceeding pages, "new matter" available party's filing. 22.6. envision calls 21.3 (supplemental received). matters perspective, shorten acceptable length one-fifth page, free up 2,000 worth relatively few year. That comes 40 briefs, 50 each, briefing. assumes 5,000 year, average 30 allowed. former assumption conservative record; personal observation latter fair. 196 470 Newport Iacobucci, 92, 383, 93 334 (1986). Black's Law Dictionary 1023 (5th 1979) (emphasis added). provides: "No person shall previously jurisdiction." Lindseth, 203 115, 659 844 (1983); Wells, 202 337, 658 381 Parmenter, 112 312, 116 879 (1941).

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