Document: 362 U.S. 574 80 S.Ct. 909 4 L.Ed.2d 963 George Lee PARKER, Petitioner,v.O. B. ELLIS, General Manager, Texas Prison System. No. 38. Argued Jan. 20, 1960. Decided May 16, Mr. Frank W. Wozencraft, New York City, for petitioner. Leon Pesek, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 This is an application a writ of habeas corpus brought in the United States District Court Southern alleging unlawful detention under sentence imprisonment following trial state court which petitioner was, according to his claim, denied due process law as guaranteed by Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. After hearing, dismissed petition. The Appeals Fifth Circuit, with one judge dissenting, affirmed order dismissal, 258 F.2d 937, opinion reference made facts. A petition certiorari review this judgment presented so impressive showing exercise Court's discretionary jurisdiction that case was here leave proceed forma pauperis, 359 924, 79 610, 3 627, and motion assignment counsel duly granted. 951, 741, 759. 2 Before could come he heard here, released from prison after having served time off good behavior. has thus become moot, without deal merits petitioner's claim. 'The purpose proceeding defined statute (authorizing be issued) inquire into legality detention, only judicial relief authorized discharge prisoner or admission bail.' McNally v. Hill, 293 131, 136, 55 24, 26, L.Ed. 238. 'Without restraint liberty, will not issue.' Id., 138, 27. See also Johnson Hoy, 227 245, 33 240, 57 497.* 'It well settled adjudication where there no subject-matter on can operate.' Ex parte Baez, 177 378, 390, 20 673, 677, 44 813. We have applied these principles deny mootness express ground longer respondent's custody at least three cases relevantly different present one. Weber Squier, 315 810, 62 800, 86 1209; Tornello Hudspeth, 318 792, 63 990, 87 1158; Zimmerman Walker, 319 744, 1027, 1700. In all basis until reached here. Weber, ceased because had received benefits Parole Act, 18 U.S.C.A. § 4201 et seq. been pardoned, anyone. unconditionally These demonstrate it condition upon adjudicate when effective. It precisely denial more significance ruling explicit statement reason means what says. Accordingly, want jurisdiction. Since moot before error complained below adjudicated, remanded vacate its direct dismiss application. Case directions. 5 Justice HARLAN, joined CLARK, considers further ground. appears outstanding against him felony convictions number other States. Under any those would carry same consequences respect civil rights (Election Code Art. 5.01) V.A.T.S., conviction case. Harwell Morris, Tex.Civ.App., 143 S.W.2d 809, 812—813. much bound constitutional restrictions requirements. 'moral stigma affects legal does controversy appellate review.' St. Pierre States, 41, 43, 910, 911, 1199. 6 Chief WARREN, whom BLACK, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN join, dissenting. 7 If right holding Parker's five-year quest justice must end ignominiously limbo mootness, surely something badly askew our system criminal justice. I am convinced wrong. Even assuming arguendo we enter nunc pro tunc order, believe still able grant relief. 8 man who convicted flagrant disregard assistance counsel. terms claim 'impressive' one, lengthy discussion unnecessary. Still, amiss briefly describe declines decide. 9 1954, tried Moore County, Texas, charge forging check. He then 67 years age and, respondent concedes, 'failing health.' refused appoint represent him.1 seven years. To lawyer's eye—and clear restriction lawyers warranted—his sham. Although testimony directly bearing issue forgery strong,2 hardly surprising, prosecution's consisted large part potent me lange assorted types inadmissible evidence introduced objection petitioner.3 But suffered errors omission did commission. Petitioner now alleges—and victim alleged mother-in-law principal prosecution witness brother-in-law, 'bitter enemy';4 but effect trial.5 Nor strange, halting attempts defend himself disclose utter ineptness courtroom. examined witnesses—unhampered searching cross-examination—petitioner conducted 'a premeditated type defense might successful another jury.' Item: 10 'Direct examination Parker: 11 'Q. Ted, you go ahead tell about my how known me—tell jury? A. Well, do understand right? 12 Huh? You mean your physical condition, forth on? 13 Yes. Just jury know? everything, bad or, least, doctors say so, know. couldn't—as far checks, don't know; but, know needs medical care. Is meant, George? 14 Yes, guess so; just them me. That all—only—that ask—I leaving mine up them, 15 Court. Do driving at—what wants? if understood it, know— 16 too. 17 '(The Prosecutor). got anything else? 'Mr. Parker. Go ask him.' 19 Are through? Judge, are some letters like see. 21 can't give jury. 22 For—from doctors? 23 No, sir. 24 all.' 25 enough flavor 'trial.' difficult recall clearly illustrates helplessness layman called charge. Rives, dissented Appeals, correct stating: 26 'Upon such record, appear efforts were little short farcical. view small amounts family connection Quattlebaums, open way checks payable endorsed Parker, quite possible may forgery, mitigating circumstances shown. record * shows lack counsel, tends corroborate extreme illness.' 944. 27 unhappy experience destined trial. Instead, courts turned aside applications redress. There minute past five court. November, March 23, 1955, Criminal brief opinion. Parker State, 276 533. corpus, September 21, hearing. On February 27, 1956, certiorari.6 350 971, 76 444, 100 843. Next, 31, Federal sought corpus. district June 1957, thrice-repeated request lawyer thrice-ignored. August 29, 1958. 937. petitioned October 1958; granted 2, 1959. 627. At last attorney appointed interests. Then, 6, 1959, penitentiary—almost conviction, relief, than months certiorari, Now dutifully fulfilled requirement exhaust—an apt word—all remedies,7 told too late act. I. 28 suggest strange result happy precedent that, nature remedy, 'it effective.' Consequently, question considered de novo. Since, appear, regard decisions relies decisive, obliged consider whether statute, U.S.C. §§ 2241—2254, entitles us pass controversy. conclude does. 29 true provides unless applicant 'in custody.' 2241(c), 2241(c). impose Rather, federal given broad authority 'dispose matter require.' 2243, 2243. bar, custody' prerequisite issuance relevant, function writ—to provide facilitate inquiry validity applicant's claim—has already fully served.8 ordered affidavits, depositions, trial,9 latter alone conclusively substantiates allegations. Thus remains determine form should given. case, 'law require' patent invalidity proclaimed. 30 Granting comport statutory mandate, keeping spirit writ. Habeas ancestry reaching back Roman Law,10 over centuries obtaining maintaining rule procedures unavailable ineffective. early development England distinguished role played securing enforcement guarantees Magna Charta.11 even Great Writ secure pressures English Crown, perhaps most effective method eviscerating remedy proved procrastination.12 Abuses delay four famous Jenkes finally caused Parliament enact Corpus Act 1679, 31 Car. II, c. required returns within specified periods proscribed judiciary's tactic refusing during 'Vacation-Time.'13 summary became established, own stamp.14 general problem confront then, novel history writ—an intolerable affording absence remedy.15 causes, sure, changed times. Instead arbitrariness judges, contend time-consuming collateral attack. cannot expect exactly cope problem, simply exist days common-law writ, relatively simple proceedings.16 guidance. guidance incompatible idea designed agent fossilized old problems, once thought solved, insurmountable they taken slightly new forms. hesitated expand scope beyond traditional matters technical 'jurisdiction.' permitted adaptation interests justice,' responded demands compelling standard. latitude character require applicants amount 'time-is-of-the-essence' strait jacket. II. 32 apparently believes considerations foreclosed prior decisions. fact is, however, while writ-remedy argument seems never squarely Court, weight favors Pollard 352 354, 77 481, 393, confronted identical involved attack 2255, 2255. granted, prison. Nevertheless, held moot. But, 'shall extend (h)e custody,'17 2255 available 'prisoner court.' Moreover, noted, affords difference, material filed sentencing instead incarceration.18 Pollard's perceive why is. 34 recognizes difficulty posed Pollard, solves stating aspect predicated 'unconsidered assumption' overruled Heflin 358 415, 451, 407, 'after full deliberation.' purport discard inherent inconsistency between two Heflin, decided yet begun serve pursuant sentence. dealt Heflin. construction similar proposed above harmonize Pollard; make irreconcilable. comes circle. 35 curious dealing relies, exhibit attitude reflected treatment Pollard. constitute 1700.19 While rendered plenary consideration, terse orders benefit briefs oral arguments. bar consistent oftrepeated warnings concerning denials certiorari. Furthermore, records Tornello, examined, becomes unmistakably based theory espoused 36 first trio. paroled pending, thereupon grounds mootness. lower issued parole, point rested premise petitioner, parolee, meaning statute. sole custody. cited, Van Meter Sanford, Cir., 99 511, action loses thereby disabled complying necessary remand—in Weber's discharge. adopted denying 'no custody.'20 instructive note language order21 used shortly thereafter dispose transferred custodian another, penitentiary. ex rel. Innes Crystal, 755, 1164, 1708. Whatever said mootness,22 irrelevant instant unnecessary 37 second discussed supra, 'petitioner pardoned President verbal formula Innes, since cited evident relied entirely concerned. unfortunate hence necessary. failure examine robs controlling authority. No doubt uncritical attributable parties discuss all, reliance unconditional pardon alternative mootness.23 38 Not surprisingly, perhaps, third solely repeated 'released phrase. suggestion mentioned total custody, primarily him. explore further, inasmuch show cause ever issued. moot; irrelevant. 39 Orders solid disposition justice' standard III. 40 concurring raises granting construes foreclose Congress authorizing Parker's; would. decision nothing done concurrence grounded insubstantial interest 'case controversy' III, Constitution, regardless authorize.24 41 One take exception factual conclusion. establish existence leaves desired,25 indicate relieved statutes mitigate disability laws.26 cites establishing outside Texas—if effective—would deprive voting persuasive reviewed Supreme context election dispute, real impact voter candidates. Cf. Logan 144 263, 303, 617, 630, 429. event, conceding accuracy assumption issue, operate augment punishment again adjudged guilty crime State. 42 Aside considerations, fundamentally wrong turn person run office cast ballot. policy doctrine term employed context, insure judiciary deciding questions truly adversary 'impact actuality,'27 contentiousness bring light relevant considerations.28 Here abstract. actions occurred, entire us. litigation substantial presented.29 Conviction imposes status makes vulnerable future sanctions through statutes, seriously reputation economic opportunities.30 And inconsequential. thing rehabilitation reintegration life community. example, none previous out jail 1954 Five law-abiding community significant stake outcome preclude finding important public declaring obtained violation decisions, consideration question.31 43 sum, agree late. late, undo inflicted him; keep balance true. dissent notion more, all. THE CHIEF JUSTICE concurs, 45 dim fictions reflects. Fictions commonplace lawyers. Delaware, adoption modern code procedure, ejectment series fictions. declaration averred lease fictious lessee, entry fictitious ouster ejector 'which proven admitted consent rule' left 'the title determined case.' Woolley, Practice Civil Actions (1906), 1591. 46 King's Bench Exchequer contrived usurp Common Pleas—by defendant king's marshal plaintiff debtor pay debt defendant's default. Reeves' History Law (Finlason ed. 1869), 753. 47 Maine, Ancient (New 1930), 32, 'fictio' pleading signified false averment traversed, 'such, citizen, truth foreigner.' 48 list long, particular fiction often hotly contested. Fuller, Legal Fictions, Ill.L.Rev. 363, 513, 877. 49 Some worked grievous injustices presupposition defendant, though away, proceeded outlawry.1 Bentham inveighed pestilential breath Fiction.'2 Yet expedients justice.3 '(T)he reconcile specific premise.' op. cit., 514. As Holmes said, 'To ship committed tort merely shorthand saying fact.' Tyler Judges Registration, 175 Mass. 71, 77, N.E. 812, 814, 51 L.R.A. 433. 50 injustice undo. counsel; charge, kind available, capabilities himself, plain us, assume, standards laid down cases,4 recent being Cash Culver, 633, 432, 557. invasion except prison, followed route. for, answer, see Walker Johnston, 312 275, 284, 61 574, 578, 85 830, hearing documents, held. affirmed. Then More So rules illegal challenged terminated. has. State ended. unconstitutional continuing '(a)ll persons restored citizenship suffrage pardoned' disqualified voting. Election Code, 5.01, V.A.T.S. loss prevents becoming satisfied.5 Fiswick 329 211, 222, 224, 230, 91 196; 358, 484, 393. supra. advised removing disabilities follow conviction. pardoned. pardons grace. right, therefore party turning empty-handed. 52 Any indulges fiction. useful advancing ends claims unlawfully X start died Y substituted X's place. treat facts drawn 'as day.' Quon Poy Johnson, 273 352, 359, 346, 348, 71 680. die final decision. Mitchell Overman, 103 62, 369; Harris Commissioner, 340 106, 112—113, 181, 184 185, 95 111. principle deep jurisprudence stated long ago pages 64—65, follows: 53 established American rendering decree arises act court, either convenience, multiplicity press business, intricacy involved, laches parties, entered retrospectively, up. cases, maxim actus curiae neminem gravabit, founded sense, afford safe certain guide administration justice,—it duty shall suffer delay. refused, 54 fault courts, fault, delayed deserves. requirement, any, satisfied took date. likewise (relevant sentences) page 420, 454, 407. Contrary unconsidered deliberation year ago. Douglas, 418, 453, Stewart point, Of course Rule Rules Procedure, U.S.C.A., sentences. immaterial me, Judge. attorney. going mind. certainly then. hired? sir, don't. practice defendant. arrange Now, eligible suspended sentence, why, get advise procedure filing apply sentence.' For woman whose account check witness. regarding her sign contained bit testimony—of highly questionable admissibility—by woman's son: Did mother she write her? And, didn't authorize anyone use signature? sir.' brief, 'not discuss' gravely infected error, 'are properly Court.' Obviously very deprivation among factors degree prejudiced. argument, Assistant Attorney freely answered issues, admirable candor, expressed fact—though law—no competently allegation supported affidavit wife. fact, brother-in-law conveyed opposite impression: G. L. you? sitting isn't he? think so. you, Quattlebaum? How him? time.' throughout poverty prevented hiring transcript Left devices, petitions—at Court—did sufficiently reveal prejudice 2242, 2254, 2254; Darr Burford, 339 200, 70 587, 94 761. 389, 813; Ingersoll, Corpus, 2. pointed practical matter, produced date scheduled release, anticipated. 389—390, 677. proper requirement. 2246, 2247, 2247. secured financial fellow extent $25. Church, (2d 1893), 2—3. Hallam, Europe During Middle Ages, 552; Holdsworth's 111—125; Hurd, 1876), 66—74. passages Charta: '39. free-man seized, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, destroyed; nor condemn him, commit excepting peers, laws land. '40. sell, deny, justice.' Charta, reprinted S.Doc. 232, 66th Cong., 2d Sess. 17. 'Prerogative reigned. obnoxious members seized imprisoned words spoken debate. powerless liberate bail servile procrastination dared expressly right. JOHN ELLIOTT, leader popular party, doomed loaded fines usurping jurisdiction, Tower—a martyr parliamentary freedom speech.' 78. Blackstone Commentaries (15th 1809), 133—135; authorities 13, infra. '* Jenkes, citizen London factious side, king council mutinous speech Guildhall, justices quarter sessions admit bail, pretence superior court; try calendar prisoners. chancellor, declined vacation; chief-justice bench, whom, next place, friends recourse, many difficulties lay several weeks.' Hallam. (8th 1855), 10—11. 134—135; 24—25; Howell's Trials 1190—1207; 82. sources 'several weeks' Hallam's refers period Jenkes' incarceration. dispute authors historical abuses led passage clear, however; purposes, aroused greatest sentiment. show-cause 'forthwith' return normally days, thereafter. Respondent's attorney, conceded avenue Spelling, Injunctions 1901), 1159—1165. 32—33; Holdworth's 123—124. Section course, judgments, whereas judgments. legislative relationship exhaustively Hayman, 342 205, 210—219, 72 267—272, 96 232. 420—421, 454—455, 407 (concurring opinion). share views Douglas 417—418, 452—453, treated synonymous their availability, manner mentions rest them. 238, serving consecutive sentences time. His Petitioner's different. decision, gone forever. suggested commenced 140, 28. 497, trial, obviously presents bar. 813, 8, Had argued, conceivably urged distinction, contended parole surprising intricate sua sponte; approach, possibility maintain noted Courts considering sufficient action, seem divergent Weber. unillumined model clarity, natural some—though all—courts misled. Compare Siercovich McDonald, 193 118, Adams Hiatt, 173 896, Factor Fox, 626, 628—629, Shelton 242 101, 109—110. Anderson Corall, 263 193, 196, 44, 68 247. ('While (parole) amelioration punishment, imprisonment.') cf. Wales Whitney, 114 564, 1050, 277. reads ('Petition Circuit Appeals) Ninth appearing Board pauperis denied.' came grips Endo, 323 283, 304—307, 65 208, 219—221, 89 243. relates post, 591—594, 918—921. Tornello's conclusion unchallengeable. General's Survey Release Procedures 267—294. Muskrat 219 250, 246. sheriff testified F.B.I. convictions. evidence, disclosed, authenticated manner. sheriff's description information confused, response 'some' 'disposed of,' indicated. proceedings, submitted Department Public Safety purported summarize history. appears, compilation various use, Its usefulness diminished Parkers, listed middle names. John's L.Rev. 185; 59 Yale L.J. 786, 787, n. 3. Frankfurter, Note Advisory Opinions, Harv.L.Rev. 1002, 1006. 302, 304—305, 1075, 1076—1077, 1413; Bischoff, Status Challenge Constitutionality, (Cahn ed.), seq.; Freund, Understanding 84—86; Note, U. Pa.L.Rev. 772—773. opinions expressing opinion, Washington 'Those lose sight damaging everybody knows reaches satisfaction payment fine imprisonment.' Winthrop, 148 Wash. 526, 534, 269 P. 793, 797, A.L.R. 1265. re Byrnes, Cal.2d 824, 161 P.2d 376; People Marks, 64 Misc. 679, 120 N.Y.S. 1106; Village Avon Popa, Ohio App. 147, 121 N.E.2d 254; Roby Wis. 667, N.W. 1046; 772, 779—782, 795. 1199, appeal contempt readily distinguishable stressed relevant. 'that expiration Government testify grand commitment 'ample opportunity *.' 911. reasonably 'collateral consequences' considerably undermined philosophy Pierre. 484; Morgan, 346 502, 512—513, 74 247, 253—254, 98 248; 220—223, 229—230, 196. Lafferty Columbia 107 U.S.A.pp.D.C. 318, 277 set unsoundness mind individual concerned mental institution mentally ill. Possibly sake completeness, State's upholding insubstantial. 504 Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure crimes ineligible positions labor unions employer associations. 73 Stat. 536—537, 504. 'status degradation ceremony' represented Goldstein, Police Discretion Invoke Process: Low-Visibility Decisions Administration Justice, 69 543, 590 592. Waite, Prevention Repeated Crime, 30—31; Frym, Treatment Recidivists, J.Crim.L., Criminology & Science 1; Hines, 256 561, 563. Walling James V. Reuter Co., 321 671, 674 675, 826, 827—828, 88 1001; Pacific Terminal Co. Interstate Commerce Comm'n, 498, 516, 279, 310; Trans-Missouri Freight Ass'n, 166 290, 309, 540, 546, 1007. Holdsworth, (3d 1944), 254 corporations, churches, boroughs Pollock Maitland, 1899), 486, 669—670. Bentham's Works (Bowring 1843), 235. 1, 250—251: 'Of methods beginning common capias ad respondendum, i.e. directing arrest usual personal actions; possible, practice, eighteenth century, 'resort instance, suspend issuing original neglect altogether, afterwards objected mode commencing begin issuing, original, capias.' author Pleader's Guide said:— "Still lest Suit delayed, Fountain stayed, Capias conceived born Ere th' ORIGINAL drawn, justify Forms, Processes, Pleadings, ways unknown Heroes Gown, Victory oft won Battle fairly begun; 'Tis true, wisdom Laws Has Effect precede Cause, let Solecism pass— fictione aequitas.' always supposed; object absence, compel procure cursitor. bill actually privileged, supposed necessarily original. place operated plaintiff's declaration.' Bouv.Law Dict. 1914), Rawles Third Revision pp. 1213—1214. dissenting Judge Rives below, 941—944. unaffected immaterial. entitled untangling skein. undone possible. knowing measures relieve felonies. Only (as not) fail processes law.

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