Document: 352 U.S. 407 77 S.Ct. 397 1 L.Ed.2d 430 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.James Vernon TURLEY. No. 289. Argued Jan. 24, 1957. Decided Feb. 25, Mr. Roger D. Fisher, Washington, D.C., for the appellant. Fenton L. Martin, Baltimore, Md., appellee. Justice BURTON delivered opinion Court. This case concerns meaning word 'stolen' in following provision National Motor Vehicle Theft Act, commonly known as Dyer Act: 2 'Whoever transports interstate or foreign commerce a motor vehicle aircraft, knowing same to have been stolen, shall be fined not more than $5,000 imprisoned five years, both.'1 3 The issue before us is whether 'stolen,' used this provision, limited taking which amounts common-law larceny, it includes an embezzlement other felonious with intent deprive owner rights and benefits ownership. For reasons hereafter stated, we accept broader interpretation. 4 In 1956, information based on section was filed against James Turley United States District Court Maryland. It charged that Turley, South Carolina, lawfully obtained possession automobile from its purpose driving certain their friends homes latter but that, without permission steal automobile, converted his own use unlawfully transported Maryland, where he sold owner.2 thus transporting by rather larceny. 5 Counsel appointed moved dismiss ground did state facts sufficient constitute offense States. He contended Act referred only takings larceny acts not. agreed dismissed information. 141 F.Supp. 527. concedes alleged do disputes holding within Act. Government appealed directly under 18 U.S.C. § 3731, U.S.C.A. 3731 because dismissal upon construction statute founded. We noted probable jurisdiction. 816, 65, 44. 6 Decisions involving arise frequently until comparatively recently. Two earlier cases interpreted statutory defined State occurred.3 later decisions rejected interpretation divided give uniformly narrow restricted inclusive ownership.4 Fifth, Eighth Tenth Circuits favored definition,5 while Fourth, Sixth Ninth one.6 agree absence plain indication incorporate diverse laws into federal criminal statute, should dependent law. See Jerome v. States, 1943, 318 101, 104, 63 483, 485, 87 L.Ed. 640; Handler, Cir., 1944, 142 F.2d 351, 354. 7 recognize uses term established otherwise defining it, general practice meaning.7 But (or 'stealing') has no accepted meaning. On point Appeals Fourth Circuit recently said: 8 'But constantly identified never at common law equated exclusively dedicated 'Steal' (originally 'stale') first denoted usage through secrecy, implied 'stealth,' stratagem, according Oxford English Dictionary. Expanded became generic designation dishonest acquisition, lost initial connotation. Nor 'steal' art. Blackstone does mention larceny—'the carrying away personal goods another'—or expounding several elements. IV Commentaries 229 et seq.' Boone 235 939, 940. 9 Webster's New International Dictionary (2d ed., 1953) likewise defines 'Obtained accomplished theft, stealth, craft * *.' Black's Law (4th 1951) states 'may denote property either embezzlement, false pretenses.'8 Furthermore, statutes, courts interpreting those words declared they necessary coterminous exclusive theft crimes.9 Freed meaning, consistent context appears. 10 'That statutes are construed strictly proposition calls citation authority. mean every must given narrowest possible complete disregard legislature.' Bramblett, 1955, 348 503, 509—510, 75 504, 508, 99 594; see also, Sullivan, 1948, 332 689, 893 694, 68 331, 334, 92 297. 11 is, therefore, appropriate consider gain what light can legislative history. 12 By 1919, most local had developed so include pretenses, trick, types wrongful taking. advent however, created new problem found difficult deal. uniquely suited pretenses. valuable, salable article itself supplied means speedy escape. 'The (became) perfect chattel modern large-scale theft.'10 challenge could best met Federal Government's jurisdiction over commerce. need action increased number, distribution speed vehicles until, necessity.11 result 13 background reflected Committee Report bill presented author sponsor, Representative Dyer. H.R.Rep. 312, 66th Cong., 1st Sess. report, entitled 'Theft Automobiles,' pointed increasing number thefts, resulting financial losses, cost insurance. asserted were inadequate cope offenders evaded officers automobiles across lines associates received them. Throughout hisoty Congress synonymous 'theft,' generally considered 'commonlaw larceny.'12 To sure, discussion 'larceny' nothing said about excluding forms 'theft.' report stated object broad terms, primarily emphasizing exercise powers.13 No made distinguish between different would expected if distinction intended.14 14 'Larceny' also mentioned Brooks 1925, 267 432, 45 345, 346, 69 699.15 reference, carries implication Public private violated comparable degree whatever label attached A typical example unattended automobile. less rented, interstate, (embezzlement).16 true purchased worthless check, (false pretenses).17 Professional thieves resort innumerable presumably sought meet effectively leave loopholes wholesale evasion.18 15 conclude requires limit situations refinements crime related primary congressional eliminating traffic vehicles. neither unclear nor vague. 'Stolen' 2312, 2312 all ownership, regardless constitutes 16 Reversed remanded. 17 FRANKFURTER, whom BLACK DOUGLAS join, dissenting. If desires make cheating, myriad varieties, when employed obtain then taken line, express ambiguity language leads three Courts decide has. 'stealing' (describing thing 'stolen') art, deemed colloquial, everyday term. As such, hardly used, even loosely, man street cover 'cheating.' Legislative drafting treacherous convey, often not, complicated ideas, pedantically exacting construing legislation. sweep transportation cars trickery present search hints find command. When wanted deal many ways despoiling another merely easy enough so, enactments attest. See, e.g., §§ 641, 655, 659, 1707, 1707. doubt, penal legislation artificially allow escape fair intendment designed. principle lenity guide Bell 349 81, 83—84, 620, 622, 905, precludes extending form acquisition. conclusion encouraged consideration governing laws; regard bringing mass minor offenses origin expresses, explicit, least unequivocal, desire so. 19 I affirm judgment. 2312. original sponsored C. Missouri, 1919. 41 Stat. 324. amended, 1945, 59 536, re-enacted, part Criminal Code, 62 806. that— 'On January 20, Columbia, JAMES VERNON TURLEY 1955 Ford owner, Charles T. Shaver, briefly day transport return them, after obtaining persons homes, returning them delivering back Carolina convert Baltimore 21, sell owner.' Carpenter 1940, 113 692; Abraham 1926, 911. arose Oklahoma, sense, conviction reversed test. Minnesota, definition included fraudulent taking, affirmed. sense having reference any felonies misdemeanors. Murphy 1953, 206 571 pretenses); Ackerson 1950, 185 485 Hite 168 973 pretenses). Cf. Hand 227 794 (larceny bailee); Stewart 151 386 bailee). Kratz, D.C.Neb.1951, 97 999 (embezzlement); O'Carter, D.C.S.D.Iowa 1949, 91 544 Ex parte Atkinson, D.C.E.D.S.C.1949, 84 300 939 Smith 233 744 Breece 1954, 218 819 Wilson 214 313 Collier 1951, 190 473 Davilman 180 284 (embezzlement). And Sicurella, 187 533, 534, court 'a (of required Act.' 'Most these adopted Judge Shackelford Miller, Jr., Adcock, D.C.W.D.Ky.1943, 49 353 (embezzlement): '* technical well one's right law, such exist whenever comes existence deliberately carried out how party car may originally come it.' Carll, 1882, 105 611, 26 1135; Smith, 1820, Wheat. 153, 57; Brandenburg, 144 656, 154 A.L.R. 1160. 'theft' ed. says: 'Stealing esp. popular use, terms swindling embezzlement.' sometimes synonym reality term, applying depriving removing withholding robbery, breach trust, etc.' Encyclopaedia Britannica, Larceny (1953), 720. Bouvier's (3d rev. 1914) 3267. O'Connell, 165 697, 698 ('steal' 'unlawfully take device, scheme, game' dining moving commerce); De Normand, 149 624 (interstate 'stolen, feloniously fraud purloin', 53 1178); (same); Crabb Zerbst, 1938, 562, 565 ('embezzle, steal, purloin' 35 1097, 47); Trosper, D.C.S.D.Cal.1904, 127 F. 476, 477 mails); Jolly, D.C.W.D.Tenn.1888, 37 108 Stone, C.C.W.D.Tenn.1881, 232 ('plunders, steals, destroys' belonging vessel distress). Hall, Theft, Society 1952), 235, 233—240; 58 Cong.Rec. 5470—5478. 1895, there four and, 1910, 500,000. op. cit. 234 seq. nearly 6,500,000. 2—3. Today, 65,000,000 registrations. World Almanac (1957) 699. note 8, supra. began ended follows: scarcely enact session needed herein recommended, providing severe punishment guilty stealing subject evil. Thieves one oft-times who receive stolen machines. proposed suppress Automobiles admittedly tangible property, capable being transmitted Union. good reason exists why Congress, invested power regulate among provide polluted another. competent legislate evil, crush penalties attached.' Id., 1, 4, 5470—5478, 6433—6435. decision 973, Department various clarifying amendments These clarify application adding 'embezzled, converted, fraud,' similar language. Such amendment House each 81st, 83d 84th Congresses, failed vote House. Appellee seeks support failure proposals, think significance. shown respective Reports amendments. They changes voted down. S. 1483, 81st (S.Rep. 358); 675, 2d 2364); H.R. 3702, (H.R.Rep. 919). Chief Taft, referring passing 'to devise some method defeating success widely spread schemes larceny,' further discuss quick passage machines helps conceal trail thieves, gets police facilitates finding safer place dispose booty price. gross misuse properly punish knowledge harmful defeat whose will ar e jurisdictions.' pages 438—439, page 346. 744; 794; 386; Clark Marshall, Crimes (5th 428—451, 482—503; Annotation, Distinction 146 532. rental situation involved 284. Kindred 819; 313; 473. Another situation, employee feloniously, Bucur, 1952, 194 939; 571; 485; 973. defendant bad falsely representing paid. examples devices, 252—253. history development crimes, id., 1—109, Hall Glueck, Enforcement (1951), 165—171.

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