Document: 396 U.S. 398 90 S.Ct. 642 24 L.Ed.2d 610 James TURNER, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 190. Argued Oct. 15, 1969. Decided Jan. 20, 1970. Rehearing Denied Feb. 27, See 397 958, 939. [Syllabus from pages 398-400 intentionally omitted] Josiah E. DuBois, Jr., Camden, N.J., for petitioner. Steven R. Rivkin, Washington, D.C., Cleveland Burgess, as amicus curiae. Lawrence G. Wallace, respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioners was found guilty by a jury on four counts charging violations federal narcotics laws. The issue before us is validity provisions § 2 Act February 9, 1909, 35 Stat. 614, amended, 21 U.S.C. 174 and 26 4704(a) which authorize an inference guilt fact possession narcotic drugs, in this case heroin cocaine. charges arose seizures agents two packages nartotics. On June 1, 1967, Turner companions were arrested Weehawken, New Jersey, shortly after their automobile emerged Lincoln Tunnel. While being searched but searched, arresting saw throw package to tope nearby wall. retrieved be foil weighing 14.68 grams containing mixture cocaine hydrochloride sugar, 5% Government thereafter tinfoil under front seat car. This weighed 48.25 contained heroin, cinchonal alkaloid, mannitol, 15.2% heroin. Unlike mixture, packaged within wrapping small double glassing bags; single there 11 bags, each bundle 25 bags (a total 275 bags). There no tax stamps affixed or glassine outer wrapper enclosing 3 Petitioner indicted relating first count charged that violated 1741 receiving, concealing, facilitating transportation concealment while knowing had been unlawfully imported into United States. third same offense with regard seized. second petitioner purchased, possessed, dispensed, distributed not original stamped violation 4704(a).2 fourth made charge 4 At trial, presented evidence seizure origin drugs possessed did testify. With Counts 3, trial judge accord statute could infer petitioner's unexplained knew he imported. 4, read statutory provision making 'prima facie evidence' defendant sold, package. returned verdict count. sentenced consecutive terms 10 years' imprisonment counts; five-year term run concurrently 5 appeal Court Appeals Third Circuit, argued court's instructions inferences might draw constituted his privilege against self-incrimination penalizing him testifying about drugs. rejected claim affirmed, finding authorized statutes permissible prior decisions therefore impermissible penalty imposed exercise right 404 F.2d 782 (1968). After Appeals' decision case, held similar presumption applicable marihuana unconstitutional having sufficient rational basis. Leary v. States, 395 6, 89 1532, 23 57 (1969). We granted writ certiorari reconsider light our whether here at are constitutionally when applied 933, 2001, 448. 6 * created has upheld respect opium Yee Hem 268 178, 45 470, 69 L.Ed. 904 (1925); Roviaro 353 53, 77 623, 639 (1957), well unbroken line cases courts appeals.3 Similarly, involving morphine, constitutional challenge 4704(g). Casey 276 413, 48 373, 72 632 (1928). 7 supar, dealt statute, 176a, providing marihuana, unless explained jury's satisfaction, 'shall deemed conviction' smuggling, buying, selling, transportation, concealment, sale drug, it illegally Referring cases4 holding authorizing one proof another criminal must subjected scrutiny prevent 'conviction upon insufficient proof,' U.S., 37, S.Ct., 1549, those requiring invalidation statutorily 'unless can least said substantial assurance presumed more likely than flow proved depend.' 36, 1548. Since, judged standard, drawn invalid, unnecessary 'reach question passes muster so also satisfy 'reasonable-doubt' standard if crime essential element thereof depends its use.' 1548, n. 64. 8 affirm Turner's convictions §§ 4707(a) (Counts 2) reverse these sections 4). II 9 turn conviction trafficking 174. Count (1) knowingly transporting (2) (3) Harris 359 19, 23, 79 560, 564, 597 (1959). For conviction, necessary prove three elements satisfaction beyond reasonable doubt. instructed guilty. heroin; since illegal import manufacture here,5 chargeable source. all practical purposes, Government's case. judge, noting other importation knowledge come abroad, followed usual practice jury—as permits does require—that drug justify defined 174.6 jury, however, even believed required find sole facts therefrom, doubt, require present evidence. To convict, informed, 'must satisfied totality irrespective source comes *.' obligated assess itself probative force weight, any, accorded inference. If true, Gvernment contends, produced States any have originated based own store knowledge, may shared view concluded equally informed. Alternatively, without information concerning sources convicted reliance permitted perhaps reasoning represented official determination domestic product.7 12 Whatever course took, doubt review sufficiency evidence, precisely, soundness inferring alone. Since migth relied heavily included instructions, primary focus evidentiary rule 174.8 13 conclude wholly justified accepting legislative judgment—if what did—that equivalent possessing time country smuggled 14 Section law 1909.9 60 years defendants known section alone, rebuttable here, subject lack connection between theirs merchandise. Mobile, J. & K.C.R. Co. Turnipseed, 219 35, 43, 31 136, 138, 55 78 (1910). Given absent rebuttal far concerned Hence, avoid faces urgent necessity either rebut successfully demonstrating likelihood necessarily testimony through thetestimony others who familar traffic government private experts. Over years, thousands defendants, most them retained appointed counsel, Although opportunity every possession, we cited know none, where showing production light. Instead, section, although frequently challenged, courtless district appeals, implicitly reflecting prevailing judicial rather abroad. erroneous commercial quantities, difficult believe resourceful lawyers adversary proceedings disposal would long discovered truth placed record. 15 supported sources. In 1956, extensive hearings, Senate Committee Judiciary commercially country.10 President's Commission Law Enforcement Administration stated 1967 '(a)ll reaches American user Middle East reputed point origin.'11 16 factors underlying judgments summarized follows: First, plain enough both country12 here;13 contraband seizure.14 17 Second, derivative manufactured morphine codeine, derived opium.15 Whether synthesized disputed, country.16 18 Third, poppy cannot grown license.17 No licenses outstanding cultivation18 States.19 19 Fourth, forbids product except crude medical scientific purposes;20 purpose specifically forbidden.21 Sizable amounts legally used make codeine.22 20 Fifth, codeine controlled too tightly permit significant possibility licensed deal opium, codeine.23 Sixth, recurring thefts legal channels domestic, clandestine heroin.24 It extremely unlikely process involved produces unmanageable, penetrating stench very conceal.25 Clandestine difficulty; but, assumption stolen year amount only tiny fraction (less 1%) illicit marketed here.26 Moreover, laboratory manufacturing many years.27 22 Concededly, country, amounts. But overwhelming consumed possess more-likely-than-not supra, exacting reasonable-doubt normally cases, valid insofar drug. instruction, entitled do so.28 little doubtless came specific how sumuggling done, confident aware 'high probability' foreign country. Cf. 45—53, 1553—1557.29 ordinary always circulating here. sell distribute class apart.30 Such people regular contact they bought sold; livelihood availability; some actually engaged smuggling process. price, supply, quality vary widely;31 market fluctuates ability smugglers outwit customs home abroad.32 available sources, popular media. 'Common sense' (Leary 46, 1553) tells will inevitably become smuggled,33 studied ignorance entitled.34 sound one; hence violate place pressure testify defense.35 His affirmed. III Turning cocaine, reach contrary result. Erwing 323 674 (C.A.9th Cir. 1963)A prosecution dealing experts testified, defense. apparent coca leaves, prepared, processing purposes. sizable smuggled. court followed, Ninth Circuit reversed, insufficiently conviction. Supplementing Erwing, now asserts However, much lawfully country.36 concedes though totaling considerably less smuggled,37 still sufficiently large invalid cocaine.38 Based examination us, conclusion. Applying employed Leary, sure abroad did. judgment reversed.39 IV 27 4704(a)40 makes unlawful purchase, sell, dispense, bearing stamps. package.41 identical provides absence appropriate shall prima person whose found. jury. 28 convict part parcel indivisibly linked it, revenue attached. more, solidly established supply individual demands distributed, act barred statute. general returns indictment several acts conjunctive, did, stands charged.42 Here distributing status allegations irrelevant So, too, institution beside point, harmles error; distribution 29 viewed proving True, inference, assume critical importance, sustained dispensing (or selling charged), bare short acts. Tot 319 463, 63 1241, 87 1519 (1943); Romano, 382 86 279, 210 (1965). purchasing unstamped matter. 30 Those secured possessor received package, ever stamped. All handling register;43 registered persons importers manufacturers purchase stamps.44 fixed container then immunize transactions 4704(a); laws unaffected presence thus possesses obtain Even so, obtaining 4704(a). Of various ways acquiring e.g., gift, theft, bailment proscribed section. high-priced product,45 unreasonable number possessors paid way another. Perhaps few acquire gift undoubtedly stolen, users use. purchased sustain basis packaging unequivocally conclusion V 32 Finally, consider custody police, threw away which, according Government, form medicinal purposes.46 Unquestionably, amply surely demonstrate Would automatically simply sugar mixture? quantity consistent exclusively personal 33 constitute purchasing, dispensing, distributing, instruction becomes critical. As predicate concluding distributing. remaining possible violation, presumption, infirm 34 leaves appear time, unlike country;47 render Supra, 418—419. Similar undermines defendant's container. thief steals probably obtains stole himself obtained actual thief. real resting extent (1928), giving approval limited today. reversed. reasons above, 4. 36 ordered. 37 Judgment affirmed reversed 38 MARSHALL, concurring judgment. 39 I concur Court, affirming reversing doing, agree majority concludes provded wsa That establish 40 establishes convincingly virtual certainty proper instruct jurors effect indeed impute Turner. quite different. true ways—for example, stealing distributor, otherwise dangers inherent set out dissenting BLACK, speculative conjectural because 41 whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 42 Few done today undercut destroy due safeguards Bill Rights protect courts. Among accused's Rights' guarantees weakens are: 43 1. compelled answer capital infamous presentment grand jury; 44 2. informed nature cause accusation him; 3. witness himself; 46 deprived life, liberty, property law; 47 5. confronted witnesses 6. compulsory defense; 7. counsel; 49 8. impartial 50 foregoing rights among spells requires accorded. Framers Constitution wise, pragmatic, familiar tyranny attempt safeguard liberty broad, flexible words phrases like 'fair trial,' 'fundamental decency,' 'reasonableness.' stretchy, rubberlike left judges free try will-o'-the-wisp standards improvised different defendants. Neither Due Process Clause nor language vests such power. Our written sands washed wave new blown successive political wind brings administrations temporary Rather, fashioned perpetuate justice marking clear, explicit, lasting boundaries trials. One need look further sacred document assured law—that is, tried passed pursuant prescribe arbitrary procedures particular sitting see fit label 'fair' 'decent.' wholly, completely, permanently reject so-called 'activist' philosophy leads construe meaning think should mean interest 'fairness decency' it. Court's illustrate philosophy. 51 Commercial deadly mind-, soul-, body-destroying greatest evils time. cripples intellects, dwarfs bodies, paralyzes progress segment society, hopeless sometimes violent murderous criminals ages victims. consequences call vigorous suppress powerful efforts put effect. Unfortunately, grave easily threats basic liberties attractive adoption forbidden shortcuts blot quickly unpopular dangerous conduct. exactly sanctioning detail why true. 52 Turner, asserts, agree, 53 'charged doubt.' Ante, 405. 54 above statement merely reaffirming fundamental principle accused innocent until secure alleged offense. clearly reflected Rights. Fifth Sixth Amendments provide 'be accusation.' requirements obviously compel state define order intelligently prepare defend charge. And aid defense defined, explicit guarantees—the self-incrimination, confront him, behalf—all designed assure nearly humanly able fully determine Having invoked principles, proceeds uphold despite introduced absolutely crime. show opinion. says: 56 'The case.' 'Whatever alone.' 407. (Emphasis added.) 58 These passages failed meet burden Congress defined. showed 59 reviewing stand lacking support Bozza 330 160, 67 645, 91 818 (1947). Thompson City Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654 (1960). When matter law, plainly reversal historic 'independent independent appellate important plan power aside convictions.' ex rel. Toth Quarles, 350 11, 76 100 (1955). ado. record indicate, totally introduce certain crimes counts. They, atempts take stark nakedness clothe 'presumptions' 'inferences' Apparently feels relieved mere congressional declaration convict. idea seems me variance requires. create elements, partially remove swept precisely juries rely presumptions weapons given innocence—the subpoena favor, self-incrimination—is nullified brought. senseless stupid thing precautions governmental abuses sleight-of-hand trick nullities precautions. result completely frustrate Founders system accused—even poorest humble—would wrongful big government. fantastic imagine wrote intended separate parts relieve portion them. course, broad limits include elements. does, deliberately reminds Daniel cast lion's den proceeding. Bible saved miracle, says final word today, expect miracle save 61 hesitation setting verdicts insufficiency allowed unhampered innocence Article Amendment require. includes alone including cruical innocence. See, 15—19, 4—6, body decide explicitly 174, violation' App. 15—18. my view, impermissibly interfered 62 directing presume not, judge's inspiration. Congress, enacting purporting limit quantum injected views controls guilt-determining, fact-finding vested Judicial Branch Government. Amendment's command constraint interference. clear Amendment. declare crime, leave 55, 1558, (1969), (concurring result); Gainey, 380 63, 84—85, 85 754, 766—767, 658 (1965) (dissenting opinion). belief yet reason, critically one. discussed earlier, places squarely Statutory rob shift explicit. explains jury.' robbing concerned, difference (as just quoted), uses case' implicit ossibility rebutting 4704(a)). Presumptions forms tend coerce taking behalf, self-incrimination. consistently interpreted absolute freely chooses so. observed Malloy Hogan, 378 8, 84 1489, 1493, 653 (1964), fulfilled guaranteed 'the remain silent speak unfettered choice effectively destroyed coercive 71—74, 87, 759 761, 768 opinions). declines states jury,' nothing comment failure testify, violative Self-Incrimination Griffin California, 609, 95 1229, 106 64 How respond problems raised guilt? are, 'reasonable' factually supportable 'beyond words, apparently thinks answer. matters today's cites factual never expert arrayed footnotes Nor role undertakes wants simple offense, deems crucial offenses creates. 65 2, Insofar relevant, provides: 'Whoever fraudulently imports territory control jurisdiction, receives, conceals, buys, sells, manner facilitates aftet brought in, conspires commit imprisoned *. 'Whenever shown Heroin, 'narcotic drug' 171 (which refers 3228(g) Int.Rev.Code 1939, 4731(a)). 'It package; taxpaid subsection found.' drugs' derivatives products leaves. 4731(a). Decisions appeals application Gee Woe 250 F. 428 (C.A.5th Cir.), cert. denied, 248 562, 422 (1918) (smoking opium); Charley Toy 266 326 (C.A.2d denied 254 639, 13, 452 (1920) Copperthwaite 846 (C.A.6th 1930) (morphine); Liss, 105 144 1939) Dear Check Quong 82 U.S.App.D.C. 160 251 (1947) (unspecified narcotics); Cellino 941 1960) (heroin); Walker 285 Savage, 292 264 368 880, 129, (1961) Gibson, 310 1962) Lucero 311 457 (C.A.10th 1962), sub nom. Maestas 372 936, 83 883, 767 (1963) Garcia 373 806 1967) (heroin). Especially (1943), (1965), nn. 12, 13. Under decisions, principally 754 submit relies fact, both. 564 (1959); 629 (1957); 185, 472 Peeples, 377 205 1967); Chavez 343 1965); Griego 298 845 1962). challenges given. McIntyre 746 389 952, 88 334, 360 (1967); supra; Vick 113 304 379 (1962); 1960); Feinberg, 123 425 (C.A.7th 1941), 315 801, 626, 1201 (1942). 1963); Caudillo 253 513 Romero 357 931, 1375, 1373 (1958). deliberating asked percentage 'As areas world produced, declined inquiry F.2d, 208. directly related treatment origins 31—32, 1545—1546 (1969); 138—139, 280—281 (1965); Bailey Alabama, 219, 234—235, 145, 148—149, 191 (1911). Arguably, declaring ample incident over commerce. Ferry Ramsey, 277 88, S.T. 443, 796 sustaining inferences. 34, 1547, 1548; 142—144, 282—284; 62—63, 628—629; 472, 1247. refused accept suggestion Government's, violates refuses 32—34, 1546—1547. 469—470, 1245—1246. difficulties suggested approach obvious: proves nevertheless explain, obligation unaided defendant, understand fails explain 469, 1245. provision, derivatives, 614. revised extended cover May 26, 1922, 596. establishing adopted discussion debate; consciously modeled 3082 Revised Statutes (now 545), originating Smuggling 1866, 179. H.R.Rep. 1878, 60th Cong., 2d Sess., 1—2 (1909); 2003, (1909). Sandler, Presumption Federal Narcotics Prosecutions, J.Crim.L.C. P.S. 1966). 1955 Subcommittee Improvements Criminal Code hearings throughout subcommittee heard 345 witnesses, officials, enforcement officers, addicts violators; covers thousand pages. Heardings Illicit Traffic Judiciary, 84th 1st Sess. (1955) (hereinafter Hearings). gathered S. 3760, (1956). bill (proposed 1402, Tit. 18) proposed presumption. Another 1403, 18, enacted minor changes codified 176b) special, severe penalties juveniles; S.Rep. 1997, (1956) 1403). findings quantities id., 3—7; Code. Hearings (testimony Commissioner Anslinger Bureau Narcotics). Justice, Task Force Report: Drug Abuse (1967) Report). U.N. Narcotic Drugs, Report Eighteenth Session, U.N.Doc. E/CN.7/455, p. (1963); Jeffee, An Plan 12—14, 63—71 (1966). Title 173 legitimate uses. addition, 7, 1924, 657 173). Though Secretary Treasury delivery officials use provision. Brief 12. Manufacturing 1960, 74 501—517, prohibits license issued approved considered useful authorized; experimentation supplied entirely seized officials. 10. 173. surrendered. July 201, 70 572 (codified 1402). report 'child's play.' Vaille Bailleul, Heroin Laboratories, Bulletin Narcotics, Oct.Dec. 1953, pp. producing (with yield 22%) reported Rapoport, Lovell, Tolbert, Preparation ofMorphine-N-methyl-C14, 73 J.Am.Chem.Soc. 5900 (1951), verified Gates Tschudi, Synthesis Morphine, 1109 (1952). Dangerous Drugs reports conversion (from produced) relatively inexpensive equipment noxious odor operations virtually impossible. Supplemental Memorandum knows synthetic produced; experiments indicate difficult. 17. Amicus Burgess suggests unsuccessful synthesize 137 995 320 773, 78, 462 (1943). Curiae 11. Opium Poppy Control 1942, 1045, 188-188n. regulations produce poppies determined Director needs met opium. CFR 303.5(a). Imports opium-producing Blum Braunstein, Mind-Altering Behavior; A—2, 40. 25. recent Az Din 232 283 352 827, 39, 42—43, 1551—1552, discovery fields destruction. together hard conceal color harvesting economically feasible countries abundant cheap labor justifies going 21—23. Ibid. 1966, 173,951 kilograms opium; year, 715 Kilograms 30,662 kilgrams Department, Other Year Ended December 31, carefully monitored 501—517. subsequent enforcing taxes 4701—4707, 4721—4736, 4771—4776. Because reporting compile accurate figures channels. From 1964 1968, theft per ranged 9.6 12.9 kilograms; period 6.7 10.2 year; annual ran 30.3 81.8 kilograms. 44. 15. Using average daily dose, agencies estimate roughly 1,500 year. estimates kilogram clandestinely converted largest yielded assumed figure 1% Codeine 22% rate last five (81.8 kilograms, 24) give maximum domestically 2% estimated percentage, excluding consideration, alter conclusions discussed, creates unrealistic Statement Delegation Twenty-third Session January 1969, Doc. SD/E/CN.7/131 Annex A, respected work claim, elaboration, 'recent information' laboratories located D. Maurer V. Vogel, Addiction (3d ed. 1967). statement, appears 1954 edition work, 50, supporting elsewhere literature correct, longer accurate. situation change development method synthesizing creation utilizing stolen. 1553 93, definition 'knowledge' Model Penal 2.02(7) draft, 1962): 'When high probability existence, believes exist.' regardless dealer, directed 'major wholesale peddlers, interstate international violators.' Rehabilitation 1966 Special 89th 448 (1966) Hearings) Giordano undisputed shows 3889, 4219. pure Montreal, Canada, caused 'panic' York lasted almost months. 87. supplies retail market. variations price availability success anti-smuggling affects page 32. 845, 849 explanation compelling this; arise arises circumstances compulsion Constitution.' (1925). 609 produced. Annual ports borders 1963 1.44 17.71 10% attempted borders. 31. annually 2.8 6.2 28—32. possessor's urges sellers larger had, claimed, removed postpone consideration day, hopefully context error. objection error harmless event infra, page. Crain 162 625, 634—636, 954—955, 1097 (1896); Smith 243 385, 389—390 1956); Price 150 1945), 789, 66 473, 479 (1946). Claassen 142 140, 169, 966 (1891); Confiscation Cases, Wall. 92, 104, (1874). 4721, 4722. 4702(a)(2)(C). 151.130, 151.41. around 'bag' packet. 33. 36.

Category: 3