Document: 442 U.S. 477 99 S.Ct. 2432 61 L.Ed.2d 12 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Henry HELSTOSKI. No. 78-349. Argued March 27, 1979. Decided June 18, Syllabus During an investigation by several federal grand juries of reported political corruption, including allegations that aliens had paid money for the introduction private bills in Congress to suspend application immigration laws allow remain United States, respondent, then a Member House Representatives, appeared voluntarily before on 10 occasions. He testified as his practices introducing bills, produced files numerous and provided copies many such introduced behalf various aliens. Initially, respondent made no claim privilege under Fifth Amendment but eventually invoked well alluding Speech or Debate Clause. Subsequently, was indicted charges accepting return being influenced performance official acts, violation 18 U.S.C. § 201. moved District Court dismiss indictment ground, inter alia, it violated The denied motion, holding Clause did not require dismissal, Government precluded from evidence past legislative acts any form. Appeals affirmed this evidentiary ruling, holding, contrary Government's arguments, could be show motive, since otherwise protection would negated, waived testifying juries. Held: Under Clause, act may prosecution States v. Brewster, 408 501, 92 2531, 33 507; Johnson, 383 169, 86 749, 15 681. Pp. 487-494. (a) While exclusion undoubtedly will make prosecutions more difficult, nevertheless, designed preclude Members acts. References cannot admitted without undermining values protected 488-489. (b) As what restrictions places admission evidence, concern is with whether there act; extends only has already been performed. A promise deliver speech, vote, solicit other votes "speech debate" within meaning nor introduce bill at some future date act. Pp.489-490 (c) Respondent waive producing documentary Assuming, deciding, Clause's against prosecuted act, waiver found after explicit unequivocal renunciation protection. On record, respondent's words conduct constitute waiver; exchanges attorneys indicated most willingness Amendment. 490-492. (d) Nor does 201 amount congressional arguendo, constitutionally individual Members, shown expression, waiver. 492-493. 576 F.2d 511, affirmed. Morton Stavis, Newark, N. J., respondent. Stanley M. Brand, Washington, D. C., Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speaker House, et al. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 We granted certiorari case resolve important questions concerning Clause1 admissibility trial former had, while Member, accepted promising bills.2 2 * Helstoski Representatives New Jersey. In 1974, Department began investigating which so them country. 3 carried nine were called according regular practice Jersey, have different jury sitting each six days during week; two second jury. When Attorney ready present he presented whichever day. There therefore assurance voted see hear all witnesses evidence. It contemplated asked review transcripts relevant testimony 4 occasions between April 1974 May 1976. Each time appeared, told certain constitutional rights. Different terms used following exchange, occurred Helstoski's first appearance jury, fairly represents exchanges: 5 "Q. You [at office attorney earlier]—and just repeat today we begin you give Grand Jury statements officer States. understand that, do not? 6 "A. I come full unlimited cooperation. 7 that. . 8 9 And also know anything say agent later court law you; well? [Affirmative response given.] 11 Whatever my possession, files, its original form, turned over. Those are very, very old. I've 1965. mentioned this. 13 14 wants simply records your East Rutherford, home, wherever they be, like those documents. Of course, if wish documents also, about personal testimony, law? over cooperation [sic ] yourself, sir. 16 17 office, FBI, Jury. appreciative fact. They want when giving understand, anyone else might Jury, exactly their rights are. why gone through step carefully question doubt anybody's mind. 19 indicated, request immunity can assured won't plea circumstances." 20 bills. Included correspondence aide individuals whom introduced. 169 21 Beginning fourth October 1975, objected burden imposed requests information. requests, claimed, own right privacy constituents. appearance, stated "some serious Constitutional questions" raised failure tax delivered. not, however, assert until seventh December 12, 1975. Then declined answer questions, complaining concluded misapplied campaign funds. asserted general invocation Constitution specifically listed Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Fourteenth Amendments. 22 At next, eighth, 29, repeated objections Attorney. After answering financing, loans, topics, receipt sum money. That action based upon "and further grounds violate Constitution." 23 Because considered privileges too acceptable, adjourned reconvened Judge seek ruling "under questioning Helstoski, judge compulsory self-incrimination available Helstoski. assisted wording statement invoking satisfactory Thereafter, refusing series 24 Not ninth, penultimate, 7, 1976, target investigation. prosecutor question, stating, "[I]t inappropriate indeed me target." selfincrimination produce documents.3 copy insert Congressional Record, saying "I consulted floor, don't questioned place reference floor Congress." 25 Although instance even remotely characterized reliance earlier awareness another aspect afforded Congressmen.4 complained served subpoena directing him appear day session.5 26 10th final privilege. But referred repeatedly "other prevail." Nevertheless, continued financial requested directed Judge. II 27 returned multiple-count charging others criminal indictment, contending process abused 28 motion examining transcript indicting held dismissal. ruled allowed offer actual prompted file requesting pass categories urged necessary avoid possibility mistrial. opposed arguing testify proffer. 29 rule separately categories. Instead, ordered: 30 "The presentation case-in-chief [this] Indictment, part defendant, Henry derived source purpose." (Emphasis added.) 31 filed timely appeal relying 3731: 32 "An shall lie appeals decision order district suppressing excluding defendant put jeopardy verdict finding information, certifies taken purpose delay substantial proof fact material proceeding. cases thirty decision, judgment rendered diligently prosecuted. 34 35 provisions section liberally construed effectuate purposes." 36 Court's ruling. 511 (CA3 1978). proper 3731, primarily Beck, 483 203 (1973), cert. denied, 414 1132, 94 873, 38 757 (1974), language mandating "liberally construed." 37 Turning merits appeal, rejected both arguments: motive; because relied 527, 2545, 507 (1972), prohibiting how Congressman acted on, resolved issue. reasoned permit guise showing motive negate decide waived. Rather, assumed privilege, must "express specific sought member." F.2d, 523-524. Any lesser standard, reasoned, frustrate Having record shown, 39 seeking Appeals, contends bar referring concedes absent waiver, themselves. argues prohibit discussions describe refer occur process. seeks taking money, Alternatively, Volunteered argues, admissible regardless content. 40 Finally, enacting 201, shared authority Executive Judiciary express delegation authorizing who section—in short institutional III 41 holdings 681 (1966), supra, leave 201.6 Johnson extensive Congressman, speech speech. conclusion unequivocal: 42 "We escape intensive judicial inquiry, course Branch conspiracy statute, violates policies underlie it." U.S., 177, S.Ct., 754. 43 explained way: 44 "Johnson thus stands unanimous statute rely motivation consistently defined generally done relation business it. sum, prohibits inquiry into things said Senate duties acts." 512, 2537. 45 Government, references difficult essential addition, logically consistent. view, jurors promises perform infer performed, thereby calling themselves question. 46 accept arguments; difficult. Indeed, acts.7 protects "against Id., 525, 2544. "precludes [a legislator] acted, voted, decided." 2545. Promises Brewster makes clear "compact" impinging function. 526, 47 agree implied much explained: "To prima facie [the] need [Brewster] subsequent corrupt payment, bribe, illicit compact, act." Ibid. altered.) similar inference appropriate where addressed than himself. unnecessary afford beyond 48 STEVENS misconstrues our urging: line should rather specificity reference." Post, 496. prosecutor's offering state, "No offered "; prohibition far broader. provides "shall Place." recognizes, "may reveal [to jury] information legislator's conducting duties." Revealing act—speaking debating—to subject "questioned" Senate, violating 49 "specificity" reference. mention To intent protect "legislative acts" utterances committee hearings reports. E. g., Doe McMillan, 412 306, 93 2018, 912 (1973). debate." Likewise, Thus, light strictures "of act" redundant. 50 apply protections suggests sources waiver: utterances, enactment Congress. sufficient meet whatever standard required agree. 51 Like perceive reason Assuming possible, hold ordinary rules determining setting. See Zerbst, 304 458, 464, 58 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938) ("intentional relinquishment abandonment known privilege"); Garner 424 648, 654 n. 9, 657, 96 1178, 1182, 1183, 370 (1976). 52 neither assure fair trials coercion. preserve structure separate, coequal, independent branches government. English American history risk intrusion sphere activities. importance principle recognized early 1808 Coffin Coffin, Mass. 1, secure every member "exemption prosecution, thing him, representative, exercise functions office." 53 This reiterated central preventing sphere. 54 apparent clause born desire suits prevent intimidation executive accountability possibly hostile judiciary. 55 56 "There little instigation critical disfavored legislators forum chief fear prompting long struggle parliamentary England and, context system separation powers, predominate thrust Clause." 180-181, 182, 755, 756. 57 reaffirmed Gravel 606, 618, 2614, 2623, 583 noted "fundamental purpose" free "the legislator oversight realistically threatens control legislator." us, seen acts—assuming made. Attorneys indicate Amendment; distinct, calls least unambiguous expression No appears record. 59 sort According collective enlist aid courts Congress' powers Art. I, 5, discipline Members. twice could, consistent such, "founded narrowly drawn passed power regulate members." 185, 758. 529 2546 18. occasion 60 recognize argument precedent Congress, body, strip guaranteed courts. controversy Alien Sedition Acts reminds us one party Legislative Branches use destroy opponents. Supreme Judicial Massachusetts secured house organized composing it, entitled declared house." Mass., (emphasis added). vein stated: 62 immunities written benefit integrity insuring independence legislators." 507, 2535. 63 id., 524, 2543. undertake, case, consideration separating Members' body. 64 expression. predecessors.8 65 conclude barriers erected stand. Accordingly, 66 Affirmed. 67 POWELL took case. 68 STEVENS, STEWART joins, concurring dissenting part. 69 holds 681, attempting prove believe, rejection merely refers proving itself. 70 preparation delivery improperly motivated Representatives. noting attention given "an incidental case," inquiry" speech's substance motivation, 176-177, 753, emphasized, limited character "does touch draw motives performing them." 71 Senator receiving read allowing soliciting agreeing take knowledge donor intended compensate Whether ever performed irrelevant. 72 practical matter, relating bribe probative committing solicited paid. Nonetheless, inquiries payment barred Johnson's proscription motivation. "[A]n bribe," held, " 'does them.' 2544, quoting 757. depend bribe—which obviously revealing existence them—are permissible interpreted Brewster. 73 Brewster's recognition distinction, judgment, strong support Here, testimonial bribes. Some given. Obviously, extent legitimate Congressman. committed wholly irrelevant proof, prohibited mere excluded. performed; letters true false. establish sure, duties. However, making dealing less commitments action. establishes bribery itself So instructed consider respect motivations acts.* 74 think emphasize majority foreclose Ante, 490. explains equally solicitation contains self-laudatory performance, either event, incidentally shed remedy, automatic inadmissibility references. drawing itself, test analyze questioning. If purpose, admit instruct relevance. mandates questioned"; mentioned. 75 properly notes valid complaint renders "difficult." 488. believe virtually impossible. permissible, illogical adopt effectively immunize himself conviction inserting communications, rendering inadmissible. exclusionary applies affords greater fulfill mission respectfully dissent above. 76 BRENNAN, dissenting. 77 quarrel limit trial, go dismissal altogether. "[P]roof agreement 'influenced' definition motives, circumstances surrounding trial." 536, 2549, (1972) (BRENNAN dissenting). continue adhere view expressed "a provable themselves, prosecution." 539, 2551. "for [the Senators Representatives] 6. argued together 78-546, Meanor, 500, 2445, 30, involves mandamus means challenging validity ground Constitution. clearly mind exchange Assistant ninth jury: [Helstoski] stand regarding self incrimination? is." "Helstoski aware appearance. recently litigation involving franking Schiaffo 350 F.Supp. 1076 (D.N.J.1972), rev'd part, aff'd remanded, 492 413 (3d Cir. 1974). litigation, represented same throughout appearances." explanation Attorney: Do get serve session? "You can't you've term 'illegal subpoena.' Who illegal? That's Rules Procedure Representatives." 3731 authorized restricting trial. All requisites met. evidence; certification; days. Wilson, 420 332, 337, 95 1013, 232 (1975), "to remove statutory whenever permit." Scott, 437 82, 84-85, 98 2187, 2190-2191, (1978); H.R.Conf.Rep. No.91-1768, p. (1970); S.Rep. No.91-1296, pp. 2-3 116 Cong.Rec. 35659 (1970) (remarks Sen. Hruska). 3731. broader requires. "it [for bribery] inadmissible." 498. Nothing opinion, conceivable reading, excising remainder admissible. familiar shield Branch, scope holdings. libel "has enabled reckless men slander impunity, conscious choice Framers." 516, 2539, (1972). today, immunizes punishment disciplinary expulsion Member's seat. Section enacted 1962. Pub.L. 87-849, Stat. 1119. replaced remained unchanged 1862. Ch. 180, 577. Rev.Stat. 1781; 205 (1958 ed.). debates 1862 Act discussion debate See, e. Cong. Globe, 37th Cong., 2d Sess., 3260 (1862). Report accompanying 1962 Act, render uniform describing prescribing transfer unlawful." H.R.Rep. No.748, 87th 1st (1961). expanded "substitution single comprehensive Criminal Code number existing statutes concerned bribery. consolidation significant changes particularly, restrict broad courts." No.2213, (1962); U.S.Code & Admin.News, 1962, 3852, 3853. reaching conclusion, overlooked precludes Taken out context, placed not. quoted dissent's permitted charged offense linked 'action, vote postage rate legislation.' response, pointed true, "[t]he noted, debate, appellee indicted. arguments retreat position convicted required." 528, 2545 establishing—as —that element actions admissible, ante, 490, reading attaches "any showing."

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