Document: 532 U.S. 162121 S.Ct. 1335149 L.Ed.2d 321 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.TEXAS, PETITIONERv.RAYMOND LEVI COBB No. 99-1702. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Argued January 16, 2001 Decided April 2, Syllabus While under arrest for an unrelated offense, respondent confessed a home burglary, but denied knowledge woman and child's disappearance from home. He was indicted counsel appointed represent him. later his father he had killed child, then contacted police. custody, waived rights Miranda v. Arizona, 384 436, murders. convicted capital murder sentenced death. On appeal Texas Criminal Appeals, argued, inter alia, confession should have been suppressed because it obtained violation Sixth Amendment right counsel, which claimed attached when burglary case. The court reversed remanded, holding once attaches offense charged, also very closely related factually charged. Held: Because "offense specific," does not necessarily extend offenses "factually related" those actually Pp. 4-11. (a) In McNeil Wisconsin, 501 171, 176, this held defendant's statements regarding has charged admissible notwithstanding attachment on offenses. Although some lower courts read into McNeil's offense-specific definition exception crimes interpreted Brewer Williams, 430 387, Maine Moulton, 474 159, support view, declines do so. did address question at issue here. And extent Moulton spoke matter all, expressly referred nature counsel. predicting rule will prove disastrous suspects' constitutional permit police almost total license conduct unwanted uncounseled interrogations, fails appreciate two critical considerations. First, there can no doubt suspect must apprised against compulsory self-incrimination consult with attorney authorities custodial interrogation. See Miranda, supra, 479. Here, scrupulously followed Miranda's dictates questioning respondent. Second, Constitution negate society's interest police's ability talk witnesses suspects, even who McNeil, 181. 4-9. (b) clearly only offenses, recognized contexts "offense" limited four corners charging document. test determine whether different one each provision requires proof fact not. Blockburger 284 299, 304. applied delineate scope Fifth Amendment's Double Jeopardy Clause, prevents multiple successive prosecutions "same offense." See, e.g., Brown Ohio, 432 161, 164-166. There difference between double jeopardy right-to-counsel contexts. Accordingly, attaches, encompasses that, if formally would considered same test. 9-11. (c) At time murders, As defined by law, these Blockburger. Thus, bar interrogating therefore admissible. P. 11. ___ S. W. 3d ___, reversed. Rehnquist, J., delivered Court, O'Connor, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion, Scalia Breyer, dissenting Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, Opinion ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO CRIMINAL APPEALS TEXAS Chief Justice Rehnquist Court. 1 Appeals criminal "closely factually" offense. We hold our decision 171 (1991), meant what said, specific." 2 December 1993, Lindsey Owings reported Walker County, Texas, Sheriff's Office shared wife, Margaret, their 16-month-old daughter, Kori Rae, burglarized. informed wife daughter were missing. Respondent Raymond Levi Cobb lived across street Owings. Acting anonymous tip involved County investigators questioned him about events. involvement. July 1994, while again incident. gave written statement confessing relating disappearances. subsequently Hal Ridley August 1994 charge. 3 Shortly after Ridley's appointment, asked received permission continued deny Investigators repeated process September 1995, result. 4 November respondent, free bond case, living Odessa, Texas. time, respondent's report Margaret course burglary. directed Odessa station, where statement. faxed secured warrant back Odessa. thereafter, took custody administered warnings pursuant 436 (1966). rights. 5 After short murdering both Rae. explained confronted as attempting remove Owings' stereo, stabbed her stomach knife carrying. told dragged body wooded area few hundred yards house. stated: 6 "I went house I saw baby laying its bed. out sleeping whole time. laid down ground five feet away mother. my got flat edge shovel. That's all could find. Then over they started digging hole them. dug, awake. It going toward mom fell hole. put lady covered them up. remember stabbing were. crying then." App. Pet. Cert. A-9 A-10. 7 led location buried victims' bodies. 8 more than person single transaction. Penal Code Ann. 19.03(a)(7)(A) (1994). Relying Michigan Jackson, 475 625 (1986), contended case required secure proceeding 9 conviction divided vote remanded new trial. "once charged." 2000 WL 275644, *3 (2000) (citations omitted). Finding charge interwoven burglary," concluded though yet Id., *4. further found asserted accepting appointment ibid. deemed inadmissible introduction harmless error. id., *4-*5. Three justices dissented, finding Jackson distinguishable concluding valid unilateral waiver confessing. WL, *5-*13 (opinion McCormick, J.). 10 State sought review we granted certiorari consider first extends second 530 1296 (2000). answer negative, reach second. 11 provides "[i]n prosecutions, accused shall enjoy ... Assistance Counsel defence." arises: 12 "The [to counsel] specific. cannot invoked future attach until prosecution commenced, is, initiation adversary judicial proceedings-whether way charge, hearing, indictment, information, arraignment." 175 internal quotation marks 13 176. 14 Some state Federal Courts however, offense.1 Several 387 (1977), 159 (1985)-both decided well McNeil-to now invites us approve. decline 15 Brewer, abduction 10-year-old girl fled scene crime Des Moines, Iowa, 160 miles east Davenport, surrendered An issued Moines abduction, arraigned Davenport judge. traveled man began drive Moines. Along way, officers persuaded lead victim's body. ultimately girl's murder. upheld federal habeas court's conclusion violated suspect's officer's comments constituted interrogation validly responding officer. U.S., 405-406. 16 suggests implicitly Brief 4. Court's simply significance nor parties argue question. Constitutional inferences opinions issue. Cf. Hagans Lavine, 415 528, 535, n. (1974) ("[W]hen questions jurisdiction passed prior decisions sub silentio, never itself bound subsequent finally brings jurisdictional us"). 17 similarly unhelpful That individuals series thefts, whom secretly agreed cooperate investigation codefendant, Moulton. suggestion police, informant recorded several telephone calls face-to-face conversation during discussed exploits possible alibis. conversations, various incriminating thefts additional crimes. superseding original arson, three thefts. trial, introduced portions conversation, originally plus count appealed convictions Judicial Maine, arguing agreed, holding: 18 " 'Those charges which, recordings made, proceedings commenced. But Moulton's already attached, ruled given circumstances acquired.' 168 (quoting 481 A. 2d 155, 161 (1984)). 19 affirmed. 20 contends affirming reversal theft charges, 13-14; see National Association Defense Lawyers et al. Amici Curiae 22-23. us, counsel: 21 thorough filed. They investigating Investigations either type require surveillance indictment. Moreover, law enforcement officials individual suspected committing having committed another obviously seek discover evidence useful trial crime. seeking pertaining pending Government's investigative powers accused. hand, exclude obtained, unnecessarily frustrate public's activities." 179-180 (emphasis added; footnote 22 ("[T]he purpose meeting discuss charges"); 177 knew [the informant] express discussing ..." added)). reliance misplaced and, light language employed puzzling. 23 predicts "disastrous" "permit complete interrogations." 8-9. Besides offering such parade horribles occurred jurisdictions enlarged upon 479; Dickerson 428, 435 Miranda). present respondent.2 recognize "Since ready obtain uncoerced confessions evil unmitigated good, society loser. Admissions guilt resulting waivers 'are merely "desirable"; essential compelling finding, convicting, punishing violate law.' 181 Moran Burbine, 412, 426 (1986)). 24 180 ("[T]o activities"). 25 clear instrument. 299 (1932), "where act transaction constitutes distinct statutory provisions, one, not." since offence." 164-166 (1977). meaning term encompass test.3 26 simultaneously conceding own "lacks precision hope," post, 10, dissent adopting Blockburger's difficult administer. dissent's vague iterations 'closely to' 'inextricably intertwined with' test, defy simple application. seems presuppose possess surrounding incident, able tailor avoid addressing Such assumption, ignores reality often aware exact sequence events investigating-indeed, why investigate place. Deterred possibility violating Amendment, likely refrain certain defendants altogether. 27 remains apply principles facts hand. residence, murders Compare 30.02(a) (1994) (requiring entry concealment habitation building) transaction). 28 judgment so ordered. NOTES: Covarrubias, 179 F.3d 1219, 1223-1224 (CA9 1999); Melgar, 139 1005, 1013 (CA4 1998); Doherty, 126 769, 776 (CA6 1997); Arnold, 106 37, 41 (CA3 993 F.2d 451, 457 (CA5 1993); Commonwealth Rainwater, 425 Mass. 540, 556, 681 N. E. 1218, 1229 (1997); re Pack, 616 1006, 1010-1011 (Pa. Super. 1992). Curiously, consequences core values underlying 3-7 J.), dissenters give shrift role (as expressed Dickerson) protecting talking Even uncharged retain refuse questioning, indeed, presumably met opportunity advisable invoke rarest cases, today impact whatsoever protect right. worth noting contrary suggestion, 1-2, 3, "background principle" jurisprudence establishing contact defendant without present. expand assistance 'exists prevent lawyers taking advantage laypersons preserve integrity lawyer-client relationship.' Post, ABA Model Rule Profesional Conduct 4.2 (4th ed. 1999)). Every profession competent define standards members, controlling interpretation provisions. personal specific sense, just easily describe "prosecution insofar discussion Blockburger, prosecution. And, text confines "all prosecutions." 29 Thomas join, concurring. 30 altogether sufficient explain failure advisable, observe reached necessity reaffirm approval (1986). wise, theory questionable. 31 instant illustrate, understand utility operates invalidate choice suspects proper advice nonetheless. rule, preventative Edwards 451 477 (1981), serve voluntary speak outside lawyer's presence. parallel announced supersedes investigators. decided, following observation respect Edwards: 32 "Preserving accused's communicate through essence progeny-not barring making initial election face State's aid go alone. If 'knowingly intelligently' pursues latter course, reason makes excluded trial." Patterson Illinois, 487 285, 291 (1988). little justification applying reasoning equal force court-made Jackson; wholesale importation Amendment. 33 indicated elected remain silent By indications, account. Indeed, assert wish confessed. silent, override choice. 34 wisdom holding. Neither enforces unless unambiguous assertion presence Davis 512 452, 459 Where warning given, confession, counsel's presence, silence reasonable officer unequivocal 35 quite reference warning. commencement prosecution, proceedings, beginning ante, (1991)). These independent serves thus sense protective absent suspect. ought judge-made desire shown intent. 36 good protections Edwards. here, Breyer's rests assumption operate matter. extension application, doubtful rationale. 37 Breyer defends accepted adversarial forced confront 3-5 (dissenting opinion). acceptance arraignment similar begs question: what? unremarkable might want expert guide hearings attendant complex legal matters arise, nonetheless choose forthright account occurred. A purpose, especially regime 38 With remarks, join full 39 Ginsburg dissenting. 40 focuses word, "offense," arises context basic background context. plays central ensuring fairness system justice. Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 344 (1963); Powell Alabama, 287 45, 57 (1932). 42 triggered government's accusation crime, begin. 401 (1977); Kirby 406 682, 689 (1972); Massiah 377 201, 206 (1964). 43 Third, required, most circumstances, deal rather directly, 625, 633, 636 (1986) (waiver assumed invalid initiates communication); 176 (1985) (Sixth gives "to rely 'medium' State"). Professional (2001) (lawyer generally prohibited communicating known represented "about representation" "consent"); Green, Prosecutor's Communications Defendants: What Are Limits?, Crim. L. Bull. 283, 284, (1988) (version predecessor adopted 50 States). 44 Fourth, particular aspect here issue-the ordinarily counsel-has important limits. particular, recognizing need "new crimes" current 179, every commit committed, 175-176 (1991). "cannot prosecutions," forbid "interrogation charge." 175, 178. previously noted, 175. 45 last-mentioned principle, words appear text. Const., Amdt. (guaranteeing prosecutions"). self-evident. Sometimes refer statute; sometimes world, aspects constitute elements crimes; refer, narrowly technically, conceptually severable latter. "offense"-for purposes-includes acts make up 46 objectives set forth law. least, undermine objectives. decides means within "the instrument," along "would offense" established Ante, 9. technical undermines doing nothing effective enforcement. 47 For thing, majority's leaving place, threatens diminish severely protection rulings, grants insists thereafter 632 informants not); Rhode Island Innis, 446 291, 300, (1980) (Fifth right, unlike Sixth, applies interrogation). 48 majority, apparently believe constitutionally unimportant, for, questionable." (Kennedy, concurring). Both majority suggest "refuse questioning" offers adequate protection. 8, (majority opinion); 2-3 49 suspect-perhaps frightened uneducated suspect-who, hesitant unaided dealings matters. 634, (" 'The [a] indicates sufficiently capable dealing adversaries singlehandedly' ") People Bladel, 421 Mich. 39, 63-64, 365 56, 67 says request throw suspect-who trust judgment-back devices requiring rejected inadequate. guarantees. ("The guarantee 'protec[t] layman confrontations' 'expert adversary' Gouveia, 467 180, 189 take hand other. "face accusers lawyer assist him"); 635 (presuming "that requests services stage prosecution" interrogation); cf. 477, 484-485 (1981) (when reinitiate available); 4.2, p. 398, comment. 1999) ("Rule exists relationship"). reasons, protections; importance repeatedly cases. ("We conclude [of less significant, safeguards clear, basis claim Amendment"). 51 Kennedy primarily relies 285 (1988), quotes Patterson's 'not ba[r] whether' assistance. 1-2 291). 52 statement, justify overruling Jackson. because, itself, "as significance," interrogated, neither retained 290, 3. characterized depended 'ha[d] help lawyer' police," 631), "[o]nce lawyer, aimed preserving sanctity attorney-client relationship takes effect," (citing 176). 53 criticizes "from th[e] choice" "give occurred." initiate communication thereby avoiding risk induced make, unaided, kind best requested. 54 Unlike call significantly diminishing provides. codes lengthy highly detailed, proliferating "overlapping offenses" point prosecutors "spin startlingly numerous transaction." Ashe Swenson, 397 445, (1970). armed robber reaches store counter, grabs cashier, demands "your money your life," instance "offenses," term, including robbery, assault, battery, trespass, use firearm felony, perhaps possession felon, well. using selling drugs occasion guilty possessing drugs, conspiring sell being influence illegal drug paraphernalia, gun relation sale, depending laws protester blocking entrance building trespassing, failing disperse, unlawfully assembling, obstructing Government administration 55 permits approaching device asking ask robbery about, say, assault cashier (unless counts crime"), notifying anyone examples relevant prosecutor arising brief conduct. sense-what common sense-does make? left "communicate counsel" rule? approach inconsistent understanding representation. government. will, random basis, significant portion inherent 56 fact, seminal cases come differently. points "expressly counsel," 7, treated purposes. Despite opinion's "[i]ncriminating crimes, are, offenses," affirmed though, receiving, 162, 167, 180. Under contrast, receiving not, overturned. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., Tit. 17-A, 359 (theft) knowing receipt, retention, disposal stolen property intent deprive owner thereof), (burglary) structure crime). effect dramatic. first-degree child other, impermissible Williams Williams' remained undisturbed. 390, 393-395, 406. Iowa 690.2 (1950 Supp. 1978) (first-degree murder) killing) 706.2 (1950) (repealed (child-stealing) taken conceal parent guardian). addressed presented Rather, conception naturally presumed extended 58 clarity necessary word something beyond imports interpreting Clause uses "offence" otherwise relevance Whatever virtues have, import work havoc. 59 theory, mentioned above many States' laws, example, statute defining Compare, Cal. 211 (West (robbery) another) 240 (assault) attempt violent injury). Hence accomplished substantial concerns circumvention raised rule. 60 But, point, simple-sounding proved extraordinarily administer practice. Judges, lawyers, professors disagree how it. Woodward, 469 105, 108 (per curiam) (holding misapplied test). Dixon, 509 688, 697-700 (1993) J.) (applying contempt substantive crime), 716-720 (Rehnquist, part part) deciding separate offenses). emerged tool described "a veritable Sargasso Sea fail challenge intrepid navigator." Albernaz 450 333, 343 (1981). Yet asks, judges field, navigate suspects. New York Belton, 453 454, 458 (noting rules behavior). successfully; Legal challenges inevitable. result, believe, resemble much equivalent Milton's "Serbonian Bog Armies sunk." 61 alternative. can, should, terms offender occasion, to" "inextricably with" alternative perfect. used lacks hope; specify virtually acts. 5, opinion) Fifth, Ninth Circuits Massachusetts Pennsylvania); Taylor State, 726 So. 841, 845 (Fla. Ct. Clankie, 124 Ill. 456, 462-466, 448, 451-453 (1988); Tucker, 137 J. 259, 277- 278, 645 111, 120-121 (1994), cert. denied, 513 1090 (1995). victim, acts, evidence, motivation. (stolen burglary); 2d, 121 (burglary, home's occupant); 420 Pa. 347, 355-356, 1010 (1992) property, charges), 535 669, 634 1117 (1993). location, factual separated 547-549, 1224, (1997) (vehicle earlier vehicle area), 522 1095 (1998); Whittlesey 340 Md. 30, 56- 57, 665 223, 236 (1995) (murder false 516 1148 (1996); Dotson, 214 637, 646, 574 143, 149 weapons 141 549, 580 123 62 One say favor commonly perfectly clear-only comports far easier majority. add consistent assumptions previous (affirming convictions); 389, 393, grant vacated conviction). importantly, furthers, undermines, "right realization practice "noble ideal," fair 344. 63 approach, related." All period day location. victims furtherance cover Cobb, representing demonstrated belief occasions. relatedness illustrated impossibility eliciting admissions Tr. 157 (Feb. 19, 1997) (testimony confession) ("Basically gone burglarize nobody home"); Record, Exh. (typed Cobb) (admitting entering stealing stereo parts). Nor, waive 4-5. considerations sufficient. spoken Cobb's Cobb. affirm court. 64 Consequently, dissent.

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