Document: 505 U.S. 647 112 S.Ct. 2686 120 L.Ed.2d 520 Marc Gilbert DOGGETT, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 90-857. Argued Oct. 9, 1991. Reargued Feb. 24, 1992. Decided June Syllabus * In February 1980, petitioner Doggett was indicted on federal drug charges, but he left the country before Drug Enforcement Agency could secure his arrest. The DEA knew that later imprisoned in Panama, after requesting be expelled back to United States, never followed up status. Once discovered had Panama for Colombia, it made no further attempt locate him. Thus, unaware reentered this 1982 and subsequently married, earned a college degree, found steady employment, lived openly under own name, stayed within law. Marshal's Service eventually located him during simple credit check individuals with outstanding warrants. He arrested September 1988, 81/2 years indictment. moved dismiss indictment ground Government's failure prosecute earlier violated Sixth Amendment right speedy trial, District Court denied motion, entered conditional guilty plea. of Appeals affirmed. Held: delay between Doggett's arrest trial. His claim meets Barker v. Wingo, 407 514, 530, 92 2182, 2192, 33 101, criteria evaluating trial claims. First, extraordinary year lag clearly suffices trigger enquiry. Second, Government blame delay. Court's finding negligent pursuing should viewed considerable deference, neither nor record provides any reason reject finding. Third, asserted due course courts below did not know arrest, and, factual basis supporting plea, essentially conceded point. Finally, presumptively prejudiced ability prepare an adequate defense. errs arguing Speedy Trial Clause does significantly protect defendant's interest fair adjudication. States Marion, 404 307, 320-323, 455, 463-465, 30 468; MacDonald, 456 1, 8, 102 1497, 1502, 71 696; Loud Hawk, 474 302, 312, 106 648, 654, 88 640, distinguished. Nor cite specifically demonstrable prejudice doom claim, since excessive can compromise trial's reliability unidentifiable ways. Presumptive is part mix relevant factors increases importance length Here, egregious persistence failing sufficient warrant granting relief. negligence caused six times as long generally deemed judicial review, presumption extenuated, by acquiescence, persuasively rebutted. Pp. 651-658. 906 F.2d 573 (CA 11 1990), reversed remanded. SOUTER, J., delivered opinion Court, which WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. O'CONNOR, filed dissenting opinion. THOMAS, opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA, William J. Sheppard, Jacksonville, Fla., petitioner. C. Bryson, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice SOUTER Court. 1 case we consider whether petitioner's We hold did. 2 On 22, conspiring several others import distribute cocaine. See 84 Stat. 1265, 1291, amended, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 963. Douglas Driver, Administration's principal agent investigating conspiracy, told would oversee apprehension confederates. March 18, two police officers set out Driver's orders at parents' house Raleigh, North Carolina, only find there. mother Colombia four days earlier. 3 To catch return Driver sent word all Customs stations number law enforcement organizations. also placed name Treasury Communication System (TECS), computer network helps agents screen people entering country, National Crime Information Center system, serves similar ends. TECS entry expired September, however, vanished from system. 4 1981, charges thinking formal extradition request futile, simply asked "expel" States. Although Panamanian authorities promised comply when their proceedings run course, they freed following July let go where aunt months. 25, 1982, passed unhindered through New York City settled down Virginia. Since has job operations manager, 5 travels abroad wholly escaped notice, however. American Embassy State Department departure information, whatever reason, eluded DEA, Agent assumed quarry still serving time prison. officials into status, fortuitous assignment 1985 discover Colombia. then there, effort sure or track down, either Thus remained lost criminal justice system until ran thousand subject warrants minutes, worked. 5, nearly 6 indictment, arrested. naturally Federal Magistrate hearing motion applied assessing claims 101 (1972): "[l]ength delay, assertion right, defendant." Id., S.Ct., 2192 (footnote omitted). enough "presumptively prejudicial," Magistrate's Report, reprinted App. Pet. Cert. 27-28, "clearly [was] attributable government," id., 39, faulted asserting there being evidence known against 42-44. found, affirmative showing impaired mount successful defense otherwise recommendation contended demonstrate particular sufficed defeat claim. 7 took motion. plea Rule Criminal Procedure 11(a)(2), expressly reserving appeal ensuing conviction 8 A split panel (CA11 1990). Following Circuit precedent, see Ringstaff Howard, 885 1542 1989) (en banc), court ruled prevail proving "actual prejudice" establishing "the first three weigh[ed] heavily favor." F.2d, 582. majority agreed shown actual prejudice, attributing "negligence" rather than "bad faith," 578-579, concluded Barker's weigh so make proof specific unnecessary. Judge Clark dissented, arguing, among other things, undue emphasis inability prove prejudice. 9 granted petition certiorari, 498 ----, 111 1070, 1176 (1991), now reverse. II 10 guarantees that, "[i]n prosecutions, accused shall enjoy . ." its face, written such breadth taken literally, forbid government "accused" all. Our cases, have qualified literal sweep provision recognizing relevance separate enquiries: uncommonly long, defendant more whether, suffered delay's result. Barker, supra, U.S., 2192. these actually double Simply analysis, must allege interval accusation crossed threshold dividing ordinary prejudicial" 530-531, since, definition, cannot complain "speedy" if has, fact, prosecuted customary promptness. If makes showing, consider, one factor several, extent stretches beyond bare minimum needed examination 533-534, 2193-2194. This latter enquiry significant analysis because, discuss below, pretrial intensifies over time. case, enquiry;1 significance will dealt later. 12 As second criterion, sought diligence. findings are contrary, review determinations deference. Cooter & Gell Hartmarx Corp., 496 384, 402, 110 2447, 2459, 359 (1990); McAllister 348 19, 20-22, 75 6, 7-9, 99 L.Ed. 20 (1954); Wright A. Miller, Practice § 2590 (1971). gives us nothing gainsay come us, fatal them record. For years, investigators serious test progressively questionable assumption living abroad, done so, minutes. While lethargy may reflected relative unimportance world trafficking, findable negligence, stands. 13 goes again suggesting Were true, third factor, concerning invocation weighed But here again, trying revisit facts. At introduced challenging testimony wife, who said she mother, claimed anyone else looking From implicitly concluded, 42-44, reaffirmed, 579-580, won evidentiary battle Not explicitly 14 "no information aware prior testified suppression him, Barnes Riddle [Doggett's confederates] state contact [in 1980]." Record, Exh. 63, p. 2. 15 lawyers expressed amazement "that stipulation basis," Tr. (March 31, 1989), away, appellate were entitled accept defense's unrebutted largely substantiated ignorance. taxed invoking III 16 left, then, contention: fails because precisely how 17 observed cases unreasonable threatens produce sort harm, including "oppressive incarceration," "anxiety concern accused," possibility [accused's] impaired" dimming memories loss exculpatory evidence. 532, 2193; Smith Hooey, 393 374, 377-379, 89 575, 576-578, 607 (1969); Ewell, 383 116, 120, 86 773, 776, 627 (1966). Of forms most last, adequately skews fairness entire system." 2193. kind probably subjected detention nor, successfully contended, awareness unresolved 18 answers citing language 468 (1971), 696 (1982), 640 (1986), proposition asks effect, read law, do. context, cited passages support principle, independently based textual historical grounds, 313-320, 459-463, application confines prosecution. triggered official accusation, effect accused's just form recognized.2 Moore Arizona, 414 26-27, n. 2, 94 188, 189-190, 38 183 (1973); Smith, 576-578; 776. 19 alternative limiting failed weakened raise defenses, elicit testimony, items Though indeed short respect, argument takes far: consideration limited demonstrable, concedes, Brief 28, 21; Oral Arg. 28-34 (Feb. 1992), particularized essential every Moore, 26, 189; 533, recognized impairment one's difficult time's erosion "can rarely shown." And though tilt side, 521, 2187; 315, 656, severely. recognize compromises ways party or, matter, identify. presumptive alone carry without regard criteria, facts, B brings role play disposition begin hypothetical somewhat easier work our way one. standards often both inevitable justifiable. need collect witnesses accused, oppose motions, hiding, down. attach great weight considerations balancing costs going forward whose probative accuracy passage begun degrees throw question. 315-317, 656-657. pursued reasonable diligence fail. Indeed, conclusion follow matter however show 22 hand, intentionally held prosecution gain some impermissible advantage 28 1992). That doubt. stressed bad faith causing government, 531, bad-faith present overwhelming dismissal. 23 Between diligent bringing occupies middle ground. compelling relief virtually automatic, automatically tolerable exactly It point erred, facts reversible error. 24 clear "different weights [are be] assigned different reasons" Ibid. obviously lightly deliberate intent harm defense, falls wrong side divide acceptable unacceptable reasons delaying once begun. nature presumed assign compounds grows. toleration varies inversely protractedness, cf. Arizona Youngblood, 488 51, 109 333, 281 (1988), consequent threat Condoning prolonged unjustifiable delays penalize many defendants state's fault encourage gamble interests suspects low prosecutorial priority. Government, indeed, hardly too loudly, persistent neglect concluding indicates feeble justice; attaches securing conviction, harder try get it. 25 sure, relief, unaccompanied lasted longer demonstrably even sufficient. faced inexcusable oversights. portion far exceeds claim; called shorter "extraordinary." When thus causes albeit unspecified, extenuated,3 e.g., 534-536, 2194-2195, rebutted,4 IV 26 reverse judgment remand consistent 27 So ordered. dissenting. 29 I believe properly balanced forth (1972). lengthy, suffer anxiety restriction liberty. lapse potential defend case. allowed speculative tip scales. Instead, required weighing balance. stated "possibility respondents' position rights violated. moreover, two-edged sword. bears burden impossible burden." holding, well. respectfully dissent. custody bail 81/2-year period issue. comes assume blissfully while, humiliation typically accompany charge. unusual presents question independent core concerns, protects additional harms: (1) himself time; (2) disruption life alleged commission crime. today proclaims harms Clause, compels reversal outright dismissal harms, remains mum—despite fact requested supplemental briefing very point.1 31 disagree analysis. my view, Amendment's guarantee provide protection life. each turn. 32 explained, Clause's " (1986) (emphasis added). Whenever place events issue, "[t]he purport effects flowing trial." 311, 654. directed delay-related "The designed minimize lengthy incarceration reduce lesser, nevertheless substantial, liberty imposed while released bail, shorten presence charges." (1982). "when incarcerated substantial restrictions liberty, towards Clause." himself. But, directed. "Passage time, impair memories, cause lost, deprive witnesses, interfere itself wrench proper context. 321-322, 464 omitted; Even unable valid justification unless impairs "Inordinate effective major evils protected exist quite apart possible defense." 320, 463 34 These explanations notwithstanding, occasion identified prevention fundamental objective Clause. particular, 2193, (1972), "designed protect" basic interests: "(i) prevent oppressive incarceration; (ii) accused; (iii) limit impaired." 377-378, 576-577, went declare interests, 35 confronted conflicting lines authority, declaring "limit[ing] not, supra; supra. refuses acknowledge conflict. reiterates asserts Hawk "support principle prosecution." Ante, 654-655. reconciliation eminently unpersuasive. 36 terms applies "accused"; 313-315, 320-322, 463-464; Dillingham 423 64, 64-65, 96 303, 303-304, 46 205 (1975) (per curiam ). limitation confirms preventing objectives. stems crime distinct aimed safeguarding presumably prosecutions occur hampered week trial—but suggest situation, substantially charges. correct observe trials, observation misses those cases. With respect consideration—the defendants' themselves despite time—they same situation been indicted. initiation irrelevant 37 necessary protection, do so. touchstone all, deprivation accompanies "accusation," itself. explains why person Dillingham, technically all.2 lower consistently sealed (and hence secret) indictments, protections filed, unsealed. See, Watson, 599 1149, 1156-1157, (CA2 1979), modified grounds sub nom. Muse, 633 1041 1980) banc); Hay, 527 990, 994, (CA10 1975); Lewis, 907 774, (CA8 misleading, accuse "ask[ing] law," ante, resolutely rejects. issue trumps contrary logic Hawk. protestations authority reconciled; reaffirm undercut other. 39 choice presented hard Barker' suggestion plainly dictum. Never, today, nonetheless think say contemplate situation. Moreover, dictum purports elevate status survived subsequent decisions MacDonald Hawk.3 40 Just mean utterly unprotected regard. 'the applicable statute limitations primary overly stale charges,' 322, (quoting 122, 777). statutes "represent legislative assessments administering receiving 'are repose society [during limitation] means defence.' Public Schools Walker, Wall. 282, 288, 576 (1870)). Because fixed legislature decreed ad hoc basis, "provide predictability specifying irrebuttable prejudiced." 464. 41 Furthermore, Due Process always fundamentally unfair treatment proceedings. Lovasco, 431 783, 97 2044, 52 752 (1977). explained require [an] [a] [a defendant's] intentional device tactical accused." 324, 465. 1502 ("The primarily intended limitations").4 42 Therefore, prosecuting resulting 43 considered, words, repose, free secret unknown indictments? much above. 44 common criminals repose. maxim 'Nullum tempus occurrit regi,' ['time king'], regarded action king, follows brought time." Stephen, History Law England (1883) (noting examples ranging years). F. Wharton, Pleading 316, 209 (8th ed. 1880) ("While look disfavor unduly delayed, is, absolute prevents offences specified arrived") omitted); H. Wood, Limitation Actions 117 (4th 1916) ("At indictment"). 45 deny legal value individual society. recognition finds expression sweeping commands Constitution, enacted legislatures. Such (as discussed above), balance society's punishment criminals. Cf. Toussie 397 112, 114-115, 90 858, 859-860, 156 (1970). general, graver offense, period; offenses, murder, Note, Statute Limitations Law: Penetrable Barrier Prosecution, U.Pa.L.Rev. 630, 652-653 (1954) (comparing various crimes); Uelmen, Making Sense California Limitations, Pac.L.J. 35, 76-79 (1983) (same). refute notion ever general Doggett, emphasizes "leading normal, productive law-abiding life," "arrest late date interrupted member forced answer actions distant past." Supplemental Petitioner Reargument However uplifting tale personal redemption, task illuminate take measure man's 47 There evil occurs regardless shortly 1988 1980 crime, equally shattered—but colorable speedy-trial constitutional tried speedily offense. would, convert limitations—a result text history precedents. 48 become complex recent decades. itself, regrettable development, draws force clarity command certainty application. complexity doctrines increases, danger foundational principles obscured. fear realized here. engrossed applying multifactor loses sight purpose Amendment. error, lies violated—and apply all—when entirely pending 49 approach, merely scope. "depends upon circumstances." Beavers Haubert, 198 77, 87, 573, 576, 950 (1905). By setting factors, provided contextual inquiry least modicum structure. appear own. Instead guiding deprived source new liberties presupposes directed—and, evil.5 50 Today's fear, transform land boards law-enforcement supervision. harmed arrest,6 efforts wanting. concedes "if fail." 2693. function, slap wrist sloppy misplaced priorities, thereby. divorcing positively invites Nation's judges indulge result-driven second-guessing government's investigatory efforts. Constitution contemplates tolerates role. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 287, 499. Depending postaccusation approaches year. W. LaFave Israel, 18.2, 405 (1984); Joseph, Rights Application, Fordham L.Rev. 611, 623, (1980) (citing cases). note term used "presumptive necessarily indicate statistical probability prejudice; marks deem Uviller, Wingo: Gets Fast Shuffle, 72 Colum.L.Rev. 1376, 1384-1385 adjudicative exclusively leave intact observation, 7, 1501, invoke process challenge accusation. Citing Broce, 563, 569, 757, 762, 927 (1989), argues pleading guilty, waived gone 30. Yet sign simpliciter, thereby explicit consent reservation adverse ruling Motion Dismiss violation Constitutional provisions post delay." Plea Agreement, Record 66, 1. One reasonably construe agreement bar raised pleaded guilty. ably counters have, affirmatively proved unimpaired. Colum.L.Rev., 1394-1395. whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE SCALIA join, odd odyssey youthful dealing tobacco stints jail homeowner, registered voter suburban Virginia, extraordinary. none prevent. "major evils" "undue incarceration" accompanying public accusation." 463, cannot, seriously dispute concerns lie heart implicated 502 631, 116 601 (1991) (directing parties brief "whether supports view citizens indictments past crimes, defendant"). regard, instructive compare counsel, "accused." held, 'at adversary proceedings—whether charge, preliminary hearing, arraignment.' Gouveia, 467 180, 104 2292, 2297, 81 146 (1984) Kirby Illinois, 406 682, 689, 1877, 1882, 411 (1972) (plurality opinion)). purposes crime; unlike 2298; McNeil Wisconsin, 501 2204, 115 158 (1991). summary (1973) ), contrary. murder "[a]lmost charged months demanded extradite California, prison term, drop detainer him." Supreme "a establish claim." rejected reasoning, emphasizing succeed like premised protect. explicit, observing 'inevitably extent, liberty.' 27, 190 537, 2195 (WHITE, concurring)) accurate vast inevitably true—as shows. well improvident concession. argued invariably prejudicing injuring way. asserts, was, worst, negligence. surprisingly, seizes concession relish. 655, 656 21, 1992)). bring "incarcerated liberty," extend concerns. him; solely motives. line advances governmental conduct, noted text, recourse materially behavior. (1977); (1988). thus, certainly decide adversely argument. further. endorses conceded, embedding mischievous protects, conduct sufficiently culpable. disregard concession, sometimes litigant waived. Arcadia Ohio Power 415, 418, 374 Kamen Kemper Financial Services, Inc., 500 1711, 1718, 114 152 (1991); Burke, 504 ---- - 1867, 1870-1871, 119 (1992) (SCALIA, concurring judgment). little sense elevating unwise Both appropriate highly 530-533, 2192-2193. likely, benefitted Doggett. apparently five years—a Judge, who, instead imposing sentenced years' probation $1000 fine. 114-115. gave opportunity what promise: posed doubt immediately cocaine-importation activities, received harsher sentence.

Category: 0