Document: 404 U.S. 189 92 S.Ct. 410 30 L.Ed.2d 372 Jack L. MAYER, Appellant,v.CITY OF CHICAGO. No. 70—5040. Argued Oct. 14, 1971. Decided Dec. 13, Syllabus Appellant was convicted on nonfelony charges of violating two city Chicago ordinances and sentenced to pay a fine $250 each offense. Desiring appeal, he petitioned the trial court for free transcript support his appeal grounds insufficient evidence prosecutorial misconduct. Although found that indigent, it denied application basis an Illinois Supreme Court rule which provided transcripts only in felony cases. Other rules alternatives form 'Settled Statement' or 'Agreed Statement Facts.' Without resorting either alternative, appellant moved State Court. The motion denied. Held: 1. must afford indigent defendant "record sufficient completeness' permit proper consideration (his) claims,' Draper v. Washington, 487, 499, 83 774, 781, 9 899, need not necessarily furnish complete verbatim transcript, but may provide accord effective appellate review. Pp. 193—195. 2. When defendant's as here, make out colorable has burden showing portion thereof 'alternative' will suffice those grounds. P. 195. 3. distinction drawn by between offenses is 'unreasoned distinction' proscribed Fourteenth Amendment. 195—196. 4. fact were punishable rather than confinement does lessen invidious discrimination against defendant. 196—198. Vacated remanded. Henry F. Field, Chicago, Ill., appellant. Richard Curry, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion 1 A jury Circuit Cook County, Illinois, disorderly conduct interference with police officer violation Chicago. He offense; ordinance carried maximum penalty $500. proceedings conviction misconduct prosecutor him fair trial.1 application, stating 'that guilty violations * 607 applies cases.' reference Rule 607(b), pertinent part provided: 'In any case felony, petition report at trial.'2 (Emphasis supplied.) rules, Rules 323(c) 323(d), Facts.'3 made order be furnished without cost. unreported filing opinion. We noted probable jurisdiction appellant's challenging constitutionality limitation 607(b) 401 906, 91 893, 27 804 (1971). 2 Griffin 351 12, 76 585, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956), watershed our decisions. held there '(d)estitute defendants afforded adequate review who have money enough buy transcripts.' Id., 19, S.Ct., 591. This holding rested 'constitutional guaranties due process equal protection both (of which) call procedures criminal trials allow no discriminations persons different groups persons.' 17, 589. said '(p)lainly ability costs advance bears rational relationship guilt innocence *,' id., 17—18, 590, concluded '(t)here can justice where kind man gets depends amount has.' Appellee urges we re-examine Griffin. decline do so. For 'it now fundamental that, once established avenues review) kept unreasoned distinctions impede open access courts.' Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 310, 86 1497, 1500, 16 577 (1966).4 Therefore, '(i)n all cases duty given appellants funds. *' 496, 779, 899 (1963). In terms record, this means claims.' 781 (quoting Coppedge United States, 369 438, 446, 82 917, 921, 8 21 (1962)). 3 'record translate automatically into transcript. 'may find other (than providing stenographic for) affording defendants.' U.S., 20, considered more fully supra, 495—496, 779: 4 'Alternative methods reporting are permissible if they place before equivalent events from contentions arise. statement facts agreed sides, full narrative based perhaps judge's minutes taken during reporter's untranscribed notes, bystander's bill exceptions might substitutes, equally good Moreover, certain germane required expend its funds unnecessarily such circumstances. If, instance, points urged relate validity statute sufficiency indictment upon predicated, irrelevant provided. If assignments error go rulings sufficiency, well limited portions relevant issues. Even issue, however, unnecessary record pertaining alleged failure proof point matter law elements crime been convicted. examples given, choose waste including mean what review.' 5 emphasize, necessary assure would available resources own way. case, show rationale underlies Draper, 498, 780 that: 6 '(T)he could endeavored petitioners' contentions. judge complied constitutional mandate limiting grant accordingly State.'5 II 7 satisfy requirements Amendment like Wisconsin law, invalid Groppi Wisconsin, 400 505, 490, 571 (1971), permitted change venue misdemeanor trials. size pocketbook case. is, therefore, 1500. That conclusion follows directly decision Williams Oklahoma City, 395 458, 459, 89 1818, 1819, 23 440 (1969), rejecting argument "that person, ordinance, quasi nature often referred petty offense, (not) entitled case-made expense perfect appeal. *"6 III another set apart progeny. notes previously decided some term confinement. Where accused, subject imprisonment, fine, suggests interest outweighed State's fiscal interests burdening process. misconceives principle less line expressly draws. represent balance needs accused society; flat prohibition pricing others able their invidiousness exists when erased differences sentences imposed. irrelevant. Cf. Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 633, 1322, 1330, 22 600 (1969). add even approaching problem hardly yields answer tenders. practical effects involved here minimized. bear heavily forced collateral consequences serious, (as apparently possibility case) impecunious medical student finds himself barred practice medicine because unable lack long-term appear lie making processes most inferior courts depend pay. It aptly said: 10 '(F)ew citizens ever contact higher courts. main, lower Bench Bar convey essence democracy people. 11 'Justice, measured, measured experience average citizen courts.'7 12 Arbitrary denial lowest save dollars cents, substantial risk generating frustration hostility toward among numerous consumers justice. IV 13 conclude cannot claims. repeat claims insufficiency prejudicial fairly judged recourse record.8 these indeed kinds require provision transcript.9 See also Gardner California, 393 367, 580, 601 Washington did undertake carry something suffice. Here City 'Settled' 'Agreed' alternatives. argues required, address questions, since us contains parties' conflicting assertions; so far appears neither below regarded resolution dispute light 607(b). view clear. Court, rule, ground had inadequate. hold today motion, or, context meet inadequacy alternatives, constitute error. 14 informed docketed disposition deferred pending therefore vacate remand further inconsistent 15 ordered. Order vacated remanded directions. 17 Chief BURGER (concurring). 18 I join Court's observations chiefly underscore majority entire trial. references (1963), emphasize counsel officers seek needed. cases, unlike one, essential centers aspects One examine briefs appeals see stage area conflict generally narrow. 19 Every busy plagued excessive demands cases.1 My over years indicates privately employed usually spartan client costs. Unfortunately one consequence advent Criminal Act state counterparts paid public, sometimes profligate demands, yield professional judgment client's desires. An affluent society ought miserly justice, economy objective system; real vice resulting delay securing hence determining postpone day finally determined, because, example, liberty appeal,2 lawyer cooperates unprofessional conduct. 20 quite agree 'a should judges lawyers avoid abuses promote delays. BLACKMUN concur merely observation: 1969, brought asserted indigency, third-year New York University Medical School. Perhaps, intervening years, completed training. Perhaps licensed earning living. so, factors remand. reporter pursuant Reporters Act, Ill.Rev.Stat., c. 37, § 651 et seq. estimated cost preparing $300. refers places two-day three-day Under time convictions lay right Appellate depending raised. Constitution 1870, Art. 6, §§ 5, S.H.A. erroneously appealed wrong court, transferred loss rights. 365, 110A, 365 Of course, whether discretionary affect indigent's '(i)ndigents same opportunities invoke discretion the' Burns Ohio, 360 252, 258, 79 1164, 1168, 1209 (1959). text follows: 'Report Proceedings. juvenile proceeding dismissed proceed, include request proceeding. shall verified petitioner conviction, petition, financial report. imposed sentence, absence obtain trial, transcribe original copy notes. certified filed clerk below, charge. prepares under fee compensation reporters Following Legislature authorized indigents '(u) pon imposition sentence case.' Ill.Ann.Stat., 38, 121—13(a) committee comments appended thereto (1964). However, authority allowing effect, amend code provisions governing appeals, 121—1, promulgated authorizing felony. amended July 1, 1971, apply 'any offense imprisonment six months.' 1971 Legislative Service, p. 1703. These (d) '(c) Procedure No Verbatim Transcript Is Available. obtainable prepare proposed best sources, recollection. served within seven days after notice filed. Within filed, party serve amendments proceedings. thereafter, shall, notice, present reports settlement approval. hearings necessary, promptly settle, certify, accurate '(d) Agreed Facts. parties written stipulation material controversy file lieu proceedings.' ways 1690. Despite use 'available' 'obtainable,' procedure subsection (c) evidently though transcription. Tone, Expeditious Inexpensive Appeals, 53 Ill.B.J. 18, Our decisions question include: Wade Wilson, 396 282, 90 501, 24 470 (1970); (1969); Roberts LaVallee, 389 40, 88 194, 41 (1967); Long District Iowa, 385 192, 87 362, 290 (1966); (1963); Lane Brown, 477, 768, 892 (1962); Eskridge Prison Bd., 357 214, 78 1061, 1269 (1958). 370, 582, (noting suggestion substitute transcript); 215, 1062, (1958) availability notes). true, argues, effectively whereas condition precedent infirmity reason. Murphy, Role Police Modern Society, 26 Record Association 292, 293 clear seeks What applied 'such designate.' stated brief expected stipulations concerning voir dire forthcoming. rest up end closing arguments required.' 496—497, remarked: 'Petitioners' adequately it. about improper foundation introduction gun coat, example determined merits—as nonindigent's appeal—without minimum relating point. Again respect identification allegations perjury testimony similarly impossible pass direct study record. Finally, sustain inadequate information Court.' increase number requested alone resulted delay. caused combination system produce transcripts. Committee Section Law American Association, Delay Cases; Report, Am.Crim.L.Q. 150, 153 typical situation federal independent contractor selected Government States employee. systems independently contracts per page. supervisory power reporter, administration transcribing left largely completely reporter. Administrative Office Courts, Reporting System Courts 7—47 (1960). With enormous keep demand continue regular reporting. Some fail arrangements stenographers done someone give supervision work accounts much processing appeals. obligation exercise oversight ensure transcribed dispatch. Project Standards Justice, Appeals 2.3 (Approved Draft 1970), concludes '(a)utomatic release appeal' 'unacceptable inducements taking appeals.' 2.5.

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