Document: 417 U.S. 40 94 S.Ct. 2116 L.Ed.2d 642 Prince Eric FULLER, Petitioner,v.State of OREGON. No. 73—5280. Argued March 26, 1974. Decided May 20, Syllabus Petitioner, who pleaded guilty to a crime and was given probationary sentence, conditioned upon his complying with jail work-release program permitting him attend college also reimbursing the county for fees expenses an attorney investigator whose services had been provided because indigency, attacks constitutionality Oregon's recoupment statute, which upheld on appeal. That law requires convicted defendants are indigent at time criminal proceedings against them but subsequently acquire financial means do so, repay costs their legal defense. Defendants no likelihood having not even conditionally obligated those thus subjected collection procedures until indigency has ended manifest hardship will result. Held: 1. The Oregon scheme does violate Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 46—50. (a) statute retains all exemptions accorded other judgment debtors, in addition opportunity show that recovery defense impose 'manifest hardship.' James v. Strange, 407 128, 92 2027, 32 600, distinguished. 46—48. (b) statutory distinction between convicted, one hand, or convictions reversed, other, is invidious classification, since legislative decision repayment obligation defendant forced submit prosecution end conviction objectively rational. 48—50. 2. infringe defendant's right counsel knowledge he may ultimately have affect ability obtain such services. challenged similar provision 'chill(s) assertion constitutional rights by penalizing choose exercise them,' United States Jackson, 390 570, 581, 88 1209, 1216, 20 138. 51—54. 12 Or.App. 152, 504 P.2d 1393, affirmed. J. Marvin Kuhn, Salem, Or., petitioner. W. Michael Gillette, respondents. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 In this case we called determine whether constitutionally require person offense State providing effective representation counsel, when acquires bear 2 petitioner Fuller guilty, July 1972, information charging sodomy third degree.1 At hearing plea court represented local member bar appointed petitioner's unable hire lawyer. Fuller's turn hired aid gathering facts defense, investigator's were assumed State. sentenced five years probation, satisfactorily requirements would permit college, reimbursement status. On appeal Court Appeals, principal contention could condition probation these expenses.2 With judge dissenting, imposition sentence affirmed, Supreme denied petition review. Because importance question presented conflict issue involved,3 granted certiorari, 414 1111, 840, 38 737. 3 * We begin consideration plan operation statute. By force interpretation State's Constitution comprehensive legislation, mandates every must be assigned lawyer state expense if '(i)t appears without counsel.' Or.Rev.Stat. § 135.050(1)(d) (1973).4 As part passed 1971, some cases 'expenses specially incurred prosecuting defendant,' 161.665(2), repaid State, placed made probation.5 These include person's defense.6 4 appellate noted its case, however, requirement 'is never mandatory.' Or.App., 156, P.2d, 1395. Rather, several conditions satisfied before required First, imposed only defendant; acquitted, trials mistrial dismissal, overturned face possibility being pay. Ore.Rev.Stat. 161.665(1). Second, order pay unless able them.' 161.665(3). sentencing 'take account resources nature burden payment impose.' Ibid. put matter it 'there . ..' 159, 1397. Third, under 'may any remission unpaid portion thereof.' 161.665(4). empowered remit 'will immediate family Finally, held contempt failure shows 'his default attributable intentional refusal obey make good faith effort 161.685(2). 5 Thus, quite clearly directed gain representation. conditional whom hardship' contrast appointment-of-counsel requirements7 relatively small: unable, momentarily, one, accrues later so hardship. II 6 first system violates Amendment various classifications explicitly implicitly drawn provisions. He calls attention our invalid enacted Kansas somewhat legislation now us. But offending aspect action compel '(n)one code civil procedure (for debts) shall apply .,' Kan.Stat.Ann. 22—4513(a) (Supp.1971), 'strip(ped) from array protective erected debtors U.S., 135, S.Ct., 2031.8 found elimination normally available 'embodie(d) elements punitiveness discrimination citizens equal treatment law.' Id., 142, 2035. 7 here suffers infirmity. Appeals observed, '(n)o denial execution afforded included statutes.' Indeed, separate directs '(a) money, either as fine disbursements action, both, docketed like effect 137.180. sought hardship,' us, therefore, wholly free kind Strange Clause.9 8 contends further, denies protection laws another way—by discriminating other. Our review distinction, course, limited one. stated Strange: 'We inquire wise desirable .. Misguided nonetheless constitutional.' 133, 2031. task merely there 'some rationality class singled out.' Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 308, 309, 86 1497, 1499, 16 577. See McGinnis Royster, 410 263, 93 1055, 35 282; McGowan Maryland, 366 420, 81 1101, 393. impermissible New Jersey's single out prisoners confined institutions transcripts trial Court's Griffin Illinois, 351 12, 76 585, 100 L.Ed. 891. tax prison suspended imprisonment invidiously discriminatory violative Clause. sole not.10 9 conclude classification noninvidious. A ends seriously society conclusive demonstration criminally culpable. His life interrupted great stress, through loss job potential working hours. reputation greatly damaged. dislocations hardships ultimate is, unavoidable proof guilt beyond reasonable doubt guarantees important procedural protections trial. surely decide objective conviction, freed liability reimburse This reflects more than achieve elemental fairness far cry condemns.11 III 10 second basic infringes Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 799; Argersinger Hamlin, 25, 2006, 530. argument actually ineffective insufficient. Nor claim constitute unreasonable compensation him. asserts remain might impel decline 'chill' counsel. 11 view articulated California, invalidating California's following terms: '(W)e believe (the recoupment) practice grown continues grow many come realize judge's offer supply gratuitous assistance appear be; that, event results grant well involved. likely deter discourage accepting despite gravity need emphasized (Supreme) (C) ourt re Allen, 71 Cal.2d 388, 391, 78 Cal.Rptr. 207, 208, 455 143, 144. 13 concluded reasoning wide mark. 14 focal point decisions securing state-appointed indigents 'noble ideal' assured 'procedural substantive safeguards designed assure fair importial tribunals stands law,' expert advice necessary recognize take advantage safeguards. supra, 344, 796. familiar words seminal Powell Alabama, 287 45, 68 69, 53 55, 64, 77 158, quoted Gideon, 344—345, 796—797: 15 'The heard be, cases, little avail did comprehend Even intelligent educated layman small sometimes skill science law. If charged crime, incapable, generally, determining himself indictment bad. unfamiliar rules evidence. Left proper charge, incompetent evidence, evidence irrelevant otherwise inadmissible. lacks both adequately prepare though perfect guiding hand step Without it, faces danger know how establish innocence.' deprive meet needs. observed entitled 'when needs it'—that during stage 158—159, 1396. fact accepts knows someday way affects eligibility carefully insure become capable repaying ever obliged so.12 Those work forever exempt repay. 17 live where distribution assistance, goods services, generally regulated dynamics private enterprise. just above line separating nonindigent borrow sell off meager assets, call friends cannot say slightly poorer immune shoulder they 18 fundamentally different relied invalidated federal penalty right. Uniformed Sanitation Men Ass'n Commissioner Sanitation, 392 280, 1917, 1089; Gardner Broderick, 273, 1913, 1082; Unlike statutes provisions 'had purpose chill id., provides becomes so. tailored foreseeable enforce 19 It ordered. 21 Affirmed. 22 DOUGLAS, concurring judgment. 23 felony, received court-appointed executes statement means. 135.050(1)(c), (d) (1973). Petitioner years' probation. One cost attorney's investigator.1 assessed pursuant §§ 161.665 161.685, authorizes certain costs2 payment. 24 Although trial, recognizes after escape indigency. noted, allows costs. Payment 161.675(2). forbids to' consider 'nature impose' defendant. Under amount due, modify method payment, family. 25 construed limit sharply discretion 1393. interpreted can counsel's fee 'only longer indigent.' 1397 (emphasis added). While revoked specifically finds '(1) present involved (either installments) (2) intentional, contumacious Revocation improper established. 26 narrow construction disposes 'chills' Repayment costs, nonpayment specific finding circumstances, greater non-indigent sums money. afford ready accept retain himself. Yet therefore Federal provide defendants.3 27 assess convicted. acquitted prevailed defending charge brought rational recover while recovering necessitated Similarly, too, charges dismissed, proved them.4 28 My Brother MARSHALL argues contemplates revocation subsequent fees. notes Art. 1, 19, '(t)here debt, except fraud absconding debtors,' failed bill retained imprisoned. 29 I properly preserved below argue debts owed protection, indication alerted problems posed 19. mention section brief Court.5 my notes, apparent inconsistency courts strike down inconsistent faced issue. record determination assume rejected applicability upholding case; must, may, sua sponte, arguments argued briefed it. 30 times adopt theories urged resolving particular question, see Dewey Des Moines, 173 193, 198, 379, 380, 43 665; cf. Stanley 405 645, 658 n. 10, 1208, 31 551, pass questions substantively courts, nominally based same clause Wilson Cook, 327 474, 483—484, 66 663, 667—668, 90 793. More cruically, violated adopted courts. simply rule basis assumption. For reasons, reach merits dissent. And errs rendering advisory merits, error compounded absence amplifying merits. renders opinion; vacuum. law, resolution dependent claim, raised litigant collateral attack. manner application stringently narrowed dissent Court, concur 33 MARSHALL, BRENNAN joins, dissenting. 34 view, discriminates violation principles established 600 (1972). unconstitutional debtors. similarly unequal majority obfuscates focusing solely affords True, discriminate regard. remains another, fundamental, respect. ignores debt case. Petitioner's result sent prison. respect Oregon, treated differently 36 'predicament comes into sharper focus compared defense.' 136, 2032. Article debtors.' Hence, privately obtains imprisoned failure. instance normal routes creditor—by attachment, lien, garnishment, like. behind bars fails 'debt' arising appointment 37 representative fundamental policy consistent modern rejection unnecessarily cruel essentially counterproductive. Since chooses well-heeled can, Clause, imprison counsel.1 'impose unduly harsh terms public treasury rather creditor.' 138, 2033. hold insofar permits probation.2 respectfully Other contained dismissed accepted. addition, authorizing 5, infra, intended legislature resolved court, here, Murdock City Memphis, Wall. 590, 429. Courts States, reviewing expressed views 143; Opinion Justices, 109 N.H. 508, 256 A.2d 500; ex rel. Brundage Eide, Wash.2d 676, 521 706. Cf. James, 323 F.Supp. 1230 (D.C.Kan.), aff'd grounds, 600. American Bar Association Project Standards Criminal Justice, Providing Defense Services 6.4, pp. 58—59 (Approved Draft 1968); Comment, Reimbursement Costs Condition Probation Indigents, 67 Mich.L.Rev. 1404 (1969); Charging Prosecution Defendant, 59 Geo.L.J. 991 (1971). 135.050(3)(a) (1973) '(c)harged crime.' provides: '(2) They inherent guaranteed jury expenditures connection maintenance government agencies irrespective violations '(3) them. impose. '(4) thereof thereof. satisfaction due family, ORS 161.675.' 161.675 When permission within specified period instalments. payable forthwith. suspended, suspension sentence.' 161.685 defaults instalment, motion district own cause why should citation warrant arrest appearance. Unless find constitutes committed fine, thereof, paid. corporation unincorporated association, duty authorized disbursement assets association makes showing subsection section. term fines set forth commitment order, exceed day each $25 days misdemeanor, year whichever shorter period. non- credit toward rate order. '(5) contempt, enter allowing additional reducing instalment revoking whole part. '(6) collected enforcement levy discharge collected.' 2, supra. 132—133, 8, 2030—2031. U.S.C. 3006A(f). allowed exception blanket usually judgments executed maintain homesteads intact. dissenting today wealth precisely, unlike defendant, 'failure prison.' Post, 60. oral 11, infra. Furthermore, deals 'imprisonment debt,' purports resolve power decide. fundamentally, indivious poor. entire thrust significant steps process. they, nonindigents, place. Moreover, mean 'impose(s) device used sanction 'an court,' entered financially unwilling invalidity exist. claims 'has applied imprisonment.' justified ground released incarcerated earn money repay, itself demonstrated engaged pattern embracing raises, extended discussion, process sufficient notice hearing. contentions discussed here. '(T)his highest omission want presentation aggrieved party affirmatively contrary.' Street York, 394 576, 582, 89 1354, 1360, 572. note passing, statutes, including schedule fees, published Revised Statutes plea, further parole levied revoked. limitation argument, amicus curiae, wealth. Tate Short, 401 395, 91 668, 130; Williams 399 235, 2018, 586. Short: emphasize holding suggest infirmity refuses neglects so.' 400, 672. wording clear able' initial repayment, granting factor considered problem granted. father apparently paid father. 'specially incurred' 161.665(2). most side police investigations, attorneys' salaries, sheriffs' salaries. 157, Also, summoning jurors Ibid.; benefit, investigators, on, borne places limits receive, 'extraordinary circumstances,' limiting eventual responsibility 135.055. assessment relying deprives hence dissent, Petitoner's discriminated opposed favored penitentiary. curiae National Legal Aid Defender Association. recognized imprisoning Ante, 12. involve imprisons pay, circumstances. light disposition occasion Sixth event, appropriately context actual involving who, petitioner, refused contended knowing voluntary waiver fear bearing understand limitations imposes debt.

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