Document: 535 U.S. 625 UNITED STATESv.COTTON ET AL. No. 01-687. Supreme Court of the United States. Argued April 15, 2002. Decided May 20, CERTIORARI TO THE STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR FOURTH CIRCUIT A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging respondents with conspiracy to distribute and possess intent a "detectable amount" cocaine base. Respondents were convicted received sentence based on District Court's finding drug quantity — at least 50 grams base that implicated enhanced penalties 21 U. S. C. § 841(b). They did not object in fact sentences alleged indictment. While their appeal was pending, this decided, Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 466, 490, "[o]ther than prior conviction, any increases penalty for crime beyond prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted jury, proved reasonable doubt." In prosecutions, such facts also charged Id., 476. then argued Fourth Circuit invalid under Apprendi, because issue neither nor petit jury. That court vacated ground it had no jurisdiction impose offense Held: 1. defective does deprive jurisdiction. Ex parte Bain, 121 1, progenitor Circuit's view errors are "jurisdictional," is product era which authority review criminal convictions greatly circumscribed. It could examine constitutional trial only writ habeas corpus, if deemed error "jurisdictional." The desire correct obvious violations led "somewhat expansive notion `jurisdiction,'" Custis States, 511 485, 494, what term means today, i. e., "the courts' or power adjudicate case," Steel Co. Citizens Better Environment, 523 83, 89. Because subject-matter involves court's hear case, can never forfeited waived. Thus, defects require correction regardless whether raised district court. But right Post-Bain cases confirm do its case. See, e. g., Lamar 240 60. some time ago departed from Bain's Stirone 361 212; Russell 369 749, distinguished. Insofar as held deprives jurisdiction, Bain overruled. Pp. 629-631. 2. omission enhances justify appeals' vacating sentence, even though defendant Under Federal Rule Criminal Procedure 52(b)'s plain-error test, where there "(1) error, (2) plain, (3) affects substantial rights," appellate may trial, "but (4) seriously fairness, integrity, public reputation judicial proceedings." Johnson 520 461, 466-467 (internal quotation marks omitted). Government concedes indictment's failure allege increased plain error. But, assuming affected respondents' rights, affect proceedings. evidence involved "overwhelming" "essentially uncontroverted." true Fifth Amendment serves vital function providing body citizens acts check prosecutorial power, but less Sixth find guilt doubt. jury's important role not, however, prevent applying longstanding rule "that well civil by make timely assertion right." Yakus 321 414, 444. real threat "fairness, proceedings" would respondents, despite overwhelming uncontroverted they vast conspiracy, receive those committing offenses objected trial. 631-634. 261 F. 3d 397, reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Deputy Solicitor General Dreeben cause With him briefs Olson, Assistant Attorney Chertoff, Barbara McDowell, Nina Goodman. Timothy J. Sullivan respondents. brief Arthur Cheslock, James E. McCollum, Jr., Carter G. Phillips, Jeffrey T. Green, Paul Zidlicky, Stanley H. Needleman.* CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST 1 466 (2000), we 490. 476 (quoting Jones 526 227, 243, n. 6 (1999)). address justifies 2 Respondent Hall, "vast organization" Baltimore. 401 (CA4 2001). six other helped run operation. October 1997, conspiring 5 kilograms more base, violation §§ 846 841(a)(1). superseding March 1998, extended period added five defendants, threshold levels lead 3 accord indictment, instructed "as long you conspired posses[s] these controlled substances, amounts important." App. Pet. Cert. 6a (emphasis deleted). found guilty. 4 Congress established "a imprisonment 20 years" involving detectable 841(b)(1)(C). provision. Consistent practice courts time, sentencing made 841(b)(1)(A), prescribes ... life" found, testimony, respondent Hall responsible 500 1.5 sentenced Powell 30 years' life imprisonment. amount pending States Appeals Circuit, decided supra. noted "failed raise argument before court" thus reviewed 3d, 403 (citing Fed. Crim. Proc. 52(b)). divided nonetheless "because setting forth all essential elements both mandatory jurisdictional, without indictment." 404-405 Such concluded, "seriously integrity 406. We granted certiorari, 534 1074 (2002), now reverse. first Appeals' conclusion "jurisdictional" defect required sentences. (1887), view. cashier director bank, false statements "with deceive Comptroller Currency agent appointed affairs" bank. 4. Before struck words and," superfluous. 4-5. challenged amendment petition corpus. concluded improper therefore offence [was] gone, [had] proceed further progress case want 13. 7 At obtain direct his conviction Court.1 See generally Sanges, 144 310, 319-322 (1892); L. Orfield, America 244-246 (1939). corpus limited convicting "court render judgment gave." supra, 3; see Preiser Rodriguez, 411 475, 485 (1973). 1887, therefore, 494 (1994), "more fiction anything else," Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 79 (1977). 8 elastic concept "jurisdiction" case." 89 (1998). This latter Consequently, Louisville & Nashville R. Mottley, 211 149 (1908). contrast, 7(b); Smith 360 (1959). 9 60 (1916), rejected claim charge against States." 64. Justice Holmes explained "has crimes cognizable [and] [t]he objection goes merits 65. Similarly, Williams, 341 58, 66 (1951), ruling determine presented 10 has been cited later 212 (1960), 749 (1962), proposition "an amended except resubmission unless change merely matter form," id., 770 supra). each proper sufficiency need retreat settled law say analysis terms mistaken light Williams. 11 Freed omissions apply test 52(b) claim. Olano, 507 725, 731 (1993). "Under (1) `error,' `plain,' `affect[s] rights.'" (1997) 732). "If three conditions met, exercise discretion notice affect[s] S., 467 omitted) 12 fact, quantity, rendered erroneous reasoning Jones. plain. Johnson, 468 ("[W]here clearly contrary appeal[,] enough `plain' consideration"). 13 third inquiry "affect[ed] rights." usually "must have outcome 734. argue falls within "limited class" "structural errors," 468-469, "can corrected effect outcome," 735. cite Silber 370 717 (1962) (per curiam), support position.2 counters noting Johnson's list structural include Silber, defendants preserved claims 14 As (see 469), resolve satisfy element inquiry, rights affected, submit statement offense, materiality, 470. "no basis concluding `seriously affect[ed] proceedings.'" Ibid. 15 same applies uncontroverted."3 Much implicating revealed conspiracy's involvement far Baltimore police officers numerous state arrests seizures between February 1996 1997 resulted seizure 795 ziplock bags clear containing approximately 380 Record 179-244. search Jovan Powell's residence 51.3 32 18-30. cooperating co-conspirator testified he witnessed cook one-quarter kilogram powder into 22 208. Another she present hotel room operation bagged one bags. 27 107-108. Surely having existed, 16 emphasize power. No doubt true. Story, Commentaries Constitution 1779 (1883), reprinted Founders' 295 (P. Kurland Lerner eds. 1987). surely which, unlike us ...." 444 (1944). 17 graduated 841(b), intended like large-scale operations severe punishment lesser quantities. Indeed, fairness justice system depends meting out inflicting greatest harm society most punishments. Cf. 470 Traynor, Riddle Harmless Error (1970)). 18 Accordingly, reversed, remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 19 so ordered. Notes: * Clayton A. Sweeney, Mary Price, Peter Goldberger, David Porter, Joshua Dratel, Lisa Bondareff Kemler filed National Association Defense Lawyers et al. amici curiae urging affirmance. 1889, authorized capital 25 Stat. 655. 1891, "infamous crime[s]." 26 827; seeIn re Claasen, 140 200 (1891). 20-year 841(b) authorizes regard quantity. responds exceed years, sought allegation presentence reports' assignment level 38, applicable relevant purposes ofApprendi, 841(b)(1)(A).

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