Document: 544 U.S. 295 JOHNSONv.UNITED STATES. No. 03-9685. Supreme Court of United States. Argued January 18, 2005. Decided April 4, Following petitioner Johnson's 1994 guilty plea on a federal drug charge, the District gave him an enhanced sentence as career offender under Sentencing Guidelines based two prior Georgia convictions. On appeal, Johnson argued for first time that he should not have received because one predicate convictions was invalid, but Eleventh Circuit affirmed his and this denied certiorari. Two days later, Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act 1996 (AEDPA) went into effect, imposing, among other things, 1-year statute limitations motions by prisoners seeking to modify their sentences. The period runs from latest four alternative dates, last which is "the date facts supporting claim ... could been discovered through exercise due diligence," 28 U. S. C. § 2255, ¶ 6(4). A fifth option supplied Courts Appeals whose became final before AEDPA grace running statute's effective date. 25, 1997, year three after pre-AEDPA conviction just expired, pro se filed motion in extension attack 2255. Finding court motion, without prejudice right file 2255 claiming any limitation statute. February 6, 1998, habeas petition state court, constitutional invalidity pleas seven cases, basis enhancement rested. Some months entered order vacatur reversing all convictions, vacate light state-court vacatur. He claimed, timely vacating judgment constituted previously undiscoverable "facts claim" triggered renewed Although asserted lack education excused acting more promptly, had soon get help inmate law clerk, untimely. affirmed, reasoning "fact" fourth paragraph rule, properly classified legal proposition or action obtained at behest. Held: In case prisoner collaterally attacks ground used enhance has since vacated, 6(4)'s begins run when receives notice conviction, provided sought it with diligence entry enhanced. Pp. 302-311. (a) This agrees matter claim, discovery triggers refreshed paragraph. By pegging eliminating required enhancement, almost always necessary sufficient relief, argument improves Government's proposal relevant "facts" are those challenge validity Moreover, vulnerable Circuit's point legally expressive operative language may be treated fact within meaning. commonly speaks "fact conviction," e. g., Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 466, 490, spoken sensibly entering it. either case, such subject proof disproof like factual issue. Nevertheless, take does carry anomalies, minor, serious. It strange say "discovered," term four, stranger still speak about diligence, happens outcome proceeding moving party. serious problem position long brings learning succeeded attacking no how slumbered starting successful proceeding. Neither anomaly enough, however, justify rejecting basic argument. Court's job here find sensible way apply AEDPA's drafters probably never thought present situation. answer question implement statutory mandate act "due diligence" discovering crucial himself seeks prompt realize interest challenging its potential later sentence. particular course prosecution clearly shows judgment. After judgment, claim's come being, significance inaction clear, very little litigation would wasted, most challenged sustained. Thus, obliged diligently obtain conviction. Had done so, 302-310. (b) However, did show knew subjected failed filing until than years case. Indeed, even if moved burden ahead finality delayed unreasonably, having waited over 21 months. offered explanation delay, beyond lacked sophistication understand procedures. But accepted representation alone procedural ignorance excuse prolonged inattention clear policy calls promptness. record, fell far short reasonable Since there every reason believe produced well petition, unavailable, suggest provision. P. 311. 340 F. 3d 1219, affirmed. SOUTER, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, O'CONNOR, THOMAS, BREYER, JJ., joined. KENNEDY, dissenting opinion, STEVENS, SCALIA, GINSBURG, joined, post, p. 312. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR ELEVENTH CIRCUIT. Courtland L. Reichman cause briefs petitioner. Dan Himmelfarb With brief were Acting Solicitor General Clement, Assistant Attorney Wray, Deputy Dreeben, Nina Goodman.* JUSTICE SOUTER Court. 1 6(4), prisoner's collateral vacated. We hold 2 * 1994, Robert Johnson, Jr., indicted distributing cocaine base related conspiracy. single count distribution violation 841(a)(1) 18 2, presentence investigation report recommended receive 4B1.1 Guidelines, owing 1989 State cocaine. Without elaboration, objection recommendation, withdrew sentencing hearing. imposed November 29, 1994. 3 sentenced invalid.1 sentence, finding trial raised judge's findings erroneous. States 94-9402 (Dec. 22, 1995) (per curiam), App. 7. footnote, 4 "note[d] passing that, appellant some future vacation [it was] rights, district relief now asks us provide." Id., 8, n. 1. 5 States, 517 1162 (1996). 6 sentences: 7 "The shall — 8 "(1) becomes final; 9 "(2) impediment making created governmental Constitution laws removed, movant prevented action; 10 "(3) initially recognized newly made retroactively applicable cases review; 11 "(4) claims presented diligence." 6. 12 uniformly new Duncan Walker, 533 167, 183, (2001) (STEVENS, concurring part judgment) (collecting cases). 13 60-day 2255.2 though added denial 14 petitioned writ corpus Superior Wayne County, Georgia, between 1983 1993 knowingly, intelligently, voluntarily waived counsel. One rested sentence.3 allegations, hearing transcripts. found records "not affirmative waiver [Johnson's] attorney" 10, vacatur, reversed, ibid. 15 Just back Federal following claimed "new evidence" discoverable, so trigger period. Magistrate Judge took relying addressed failure 15-17. objected court's view, nothing toll petition. 19. 16 divided panel 1219 (CA11 2003). majority reasoned "`fact'" rule. 1223. majority's "legal proposition" "court behest prisoner, `discovered' him." Ibid. Because rule therefore avail agreed expired end 1226. also equitable too going court. 1226-1228. Roney dissented, arguing discoverable order's issuance. 1228-1229. Over dissent, rehearing en banc denied. 353 1328 (2003). 17 granted certiorari, 542 965 (2004), resolve disagreement whether can start Compare (case below) (vacatur trigger); Brackett 270 60 (CA1 2001) (same), Gadsen, 332 224 (CA4 2003) giving rise period). agree purposes we allows set only shown order. Applying qualification, affirm. II 19 Government shares preliminary assumption time, entitled resentencing vacated judgments provision applied here, nor mandatory Armed Career Criminal (ACCA), 924(e), read mean challenge. Cf. Lewis 445 55 (1980) (validity irrelevant prohibiting possession firearm felon). Our applying these provisions assume contrary, defendant given reduction earlier Custis 511 485 (1994); Daniels 532 374 (2001). 20 Such premise supra, held ACCA generally opportunity proceeding, S., demands more, id., 496-497. Congress meant make easy occasion recidivism turn forum difficult time-consuming reexaminations stale proceedings. exception off-limits, challenges allegedly appointed counsel, avoid undermining Gideon Wainwright, 372 335 (1963). 494-496. As falling outside exception, pointed out who successfully attacked review then "apply reopening sentences." 497. extended hold, same claims, 376, again stressed considerations administration finality, 378-380. Again, too, acknowledged proceed 2254 favorable resort postconviction process available law, 381. simply longer open direct own right, do enhancement. 382.4 22 presents distinct issue, must resolution turns understanding what affecting fall provision, says said understood consequence 3d, endorse law-fact distinction, argues paragraph, 23 think none positions sound, least entirety. proposed reading, certainly true circumstances rendering underlying invalid ultimate subjects sense (or government's negate them) eliminate enough fit comfortably four. text links presented," begin (and expire) exist. Prior challenge; makes condition cannot Bay Area Laundry Dry Cleaning Pension Trust Fund Ferbar Corp. Cal., 522 192, 195 (1997) (statutes ordinarily plaintiff's complete accrued). Hence, highly doubtful sentences discoverability themselves 376. 24 There further reasons against would. appear adopted enhancing regardless relied decided unchallenged, understanding; push limits coherence practically close door each specifically left open.5 Nor sake preserving convictions; capable providing periods them barred challenge).6 25 relief. Appeals, meaning 490 (2000), 26 carries anomalies own, bringing causes event occur, all, unless mail goes astray virtually guaranteed official notice. 27 If this, might wait raising demonstrates. Of began. letting difference actual imprisonment, while grows increasingly question, odds starts "could And maximizing allowing kind delay thwart principal purposes, 179; Woodford Garceau, 538 202, 206 (2003), purpose central our decisions Daniels, see 303-304. neither running. truth yet books situation face here. peculiar "discovering" eventuality brought about, treating produces scheme alternatives, reconciled be. painless, style. 29 While sounds odd generated, generate himself. does, learn response receiving success surely qualify language. 30 That leaves seeks. important thing identify indictment disclosed, appeal. Picking require quickest serve best, produce acquittals prove needless, disconnection existence view "facts," 305-306. picked third date, minimized, late. shapes up choosing bowl porridge hot cold, settling moment activate seems best reflect concerns. 31 dispense requirement itself, impose attacks, do, 316 (opinion J.). courts; is, concerned directly cases. "requirement [our] design," 312, explicit demand reflects core 307-308. something dissent's willingness accept occurred itself imposes limit convictions.7 32 dissent suggests satisfied Post, 314. Where "discovers" helped generate, 308-309, result begun petitioner's behest, strain logic treat "discovery" entailing steps fact. To why need consider commonplace use When bases DNA test, test "fac[t] "discovered." Yet statute, began testing promptness once sample technology available. Under untold (perhaps death key witness) calling "discovered" benefit rejuvenated lengthy delay. squared plain purpose. 33 accordingly holding vacatur.8 III 34 observing promptness, record 35 affirm Appeals. 36 ordered. Notes: Donald Samuel Michael Kennedy McIntyre National Association Defense Lawyers et al. amici curiae urging reversal. represents specified counsel support claim. Brief cited authority Government, indicates rightsUnited (CA11, Dec. 7, 8. Appeals' instant 1221 know indicating party ever litigated (1994), infra, 303. stamped contend below, indicates, deemed operation so-called prison mailbox seeHouston Lack, 487 266 (1988). Hindsight afterDaniels (2001), reveals likely entitling resorted See 304. TheDaniels allowed "there rare channel actually respect fault own," able 383-384. call exploration possibility. running, let expire, typical convict will inducement act. fact, obligated real incentive questioning Many become predicates are, consequences terms defendants willing accept. obligating around practice place At permitted indefinitely reversal Legislature amended 2004 create 4-year petitions writs corpus. Ga. Code Ann. 9-14-42 (Lexis Supp. 2004) Certainly, notes,post, 318-319, inexact measure much much. imprecision greater elsewhere shown, imprecise standard justification depriving independent corresponding do. 319. Once initiated proceedings, proceedings attributable impair availability finally conclude. recognize circumstances, proceeds eventual Finally, note inadequately diligent acted showing whom GINSBURG join, dissenting. determine "fact," thus commencing divides Today holds point, I agree. Surprisingly, announce second design: itself. disagree. my prevacatur inconsistent language; unnecessary quite protecting undue judgments; introduces incongruous deadline criminal process; uncertainty understood; and, least, drains scarce defense resources away critical stages. For reasons, submit respectful dissent. certiorari this: "When `fact' requiring sentence?" Pet. Cert. i. change oral conceded 33; Tr. Oral Arg. 13. Seeking rationale imprison additional eight void, defends ground: requires attention place. According measured vacatur,i. e., existed. 32-34. adopts part, comes diligence. correct, 1996's 101, 110 Stat. 1217. Ante, 309. law's vocabulary setting aside 307. An definite rsignificant history. So firm Even textual position, opinions expect irrespective upon Those proper procedure reducing seek habeas. whole fits rather awkwardly 308. 6(4) designed address myriad including post-trial discoveries violations Brady Maryland, 373 83 (1963), witness recantations, exculpatory evidence, like. Having gone far, particularly good problem. correct determination. Instead finds words instance Hence requirement: "[W]e order." 302. design text. creates, furthermore, problems. Section accommodates respecting period, seem follow pertains presenting discover issues. rules applications conclusion bring obtaining reasonably construction controlling circumstance resists proposition, measures rejects "discovered language, adopt, reasons. First, observes "strange `discovered,' . party." "virtually guaranteed." barely work interpretation easily satisfied. Though bit awkward, realm "discover" ordinary "discovery," act, process, gaining knowledge ascertaining unknown unrecognized." Webster's Third International Dictionary 647 (1993). Black's Law 465 (6th ed. 1990) ("[t]o sight of"). instances mistake recording includes transfer extradition uncommon way. instances, admittedly infrequent, word perfect sense. True, course. explained, cover various many types claims. 310. bolster requirement, elects it, hypothetical involving testing. Quite apart impropriety deciding remotely self-evident. moreover, special obligation system judgments. Rather imposing top existing determining made, orders That, grounds (the improper) established conventional principles commanding judgments, aside. troubled prospect "might ." concern adding creating two-tier structure, overstated. can, limiting requesting represented six laches. 10. defenses apply. 17-18. Any free protect integrity required. illustrated ability 306, 5. then, enacted apparent absent petitioners unfounded. construction, allow avoid. Consider simple hypothetical. Suppose suffers 1980, despite 1985 constitutionally infirm, nothing. crime 2000. 2000, full Despite adaptation promptly instituting exists supplement error revealed selection incorrect triggering requirement. 310 (setting requirement). contrivance adopted, submission, appreciation dynamic Assuming pursuing ill chosen. means beginning final. wants invent commence disagree both propositions), final, beginning. put extraordinary Immediately concentrate ensuring evidence misconduct disappear appeal preserved presented. divert heavy responsibilities different relevant. See, Custis, 487. troubling insists high standards performance instruct commenced during immediately insist tier dynamics ensures courts pointless overturned. Perhaps adds requirements surmise course, demonstrates adopt Aside diverting approach creates uncertainty, litigation. unsaid measuring forcing litigants lawyers scramble hopes they satisfy vague tells regarding Assume acts Do look benchmark presumed diligent? murkiness satellite points. lieu adopting problems avoids, entry, control run. reverse

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