Document: 519 U.S. 433117 S.Ct. 891137 L.Ed.2d 63 Kenneth LYNCE, Petitioner,v.Hamilton MATHIS, Superintendent, Tomoka Correctional Institution, et al. No. 95-7452. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Nov. 4, 1996. Decided Feb. 19, 1997. Syllabus * Beginning in 1983 Florida Legislature enacted a series statutes authorizing award early release credits to prison inmates when state population exceeded predetermined levels. In 1986 petitioner received 22-year sentence on charge attempted murder. 1992 he was released based determination that had accumulated five different types totaling 5,668 days, including 1,860 days "provisional credits'' awarded as result overcrowding. Shortly thereafter, attorney general issued an opinion interpreting statute having retroactively canceled all provisional convicted murder and Petitioner therefore rearrested returned custody. He filed habeas corpus petition alleging retroactive cancellation violated Ex Post Facto Clause. Relying precedent rejecting this argument ground sole purpose these alleviate overcrowding, District dismissed petition. The Appeals denied certificate probable cause. Held: canceling violates Pp. ___-___. (a) This rejects respondents' contention petitioner's did not violate Clause because been part administrative procedures designed overcrowding were integral punishment. To fall within ex post facto prohibition, law must be retrospective "disadvantage offender affected by it,'' Weaver v. Graham, 450 24, 29, 101 960, 964, 67 17, by, inter alia, increasing punishment for crime, see Collins Youngblood, 497 37, 50, 110 2715, 2723, 111 30. operation clearly retrospective, it disadvantaged his is supported U.S., at 36, S.Ct., 968, which held decreasing amount gain-time inmate's good behavior Because subsequent cases focused whether legislature's action lengthened prisoner's without examining subjective purposes behind sentencing scheme, see, e.g., id., 33, 966, fact generous provisions Florida's motivated more interest avoiding than desire reward relevant essential inquiry. California Dept. Corrections Morales, 514 ____, 115 1597, 1602, 131 588, distinguished. Respondents are foreclosed Weaver, 32, extent they argue some technical sense sentence. Their further could reasonably have expected receive any entered guilty plea singularly unpersuasive, given facts actually those cancelled statute. (b) disagrees with entitled relief pursuant after date offense rather Although effect time crime slightly modified years, its basic elements remained same, changes do affect core claim. However, differences may precise received. point adequately developed earlier proceeding, event entitlement release, leaves open consideration remand. Reversed remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered Court, REHNQUIST, C. O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., join. THOMAS, concurring judgment, SCALIA, joined. Joel T. Remland, Orlando, FL, petitioner. Parker D. Thomson, Miami, respondents. Justice STEVENS Court. 1 thereafter Department system question presented case such certain classes offenders awarded-indeed, resulted prisoners' from custody-violates Federal Constitution. 2 pleaded nolo contendere 22 years (8,030 days) prison. him days.1 Of total, or His new set May 1998. 3 1994 writ 11th Circuit2 Florida3 holding revocation their Magistrate Judge recommended dismissal adopted recommendation, petition, Circuit also cause unpublished order. 10th reached conclusion similar facts, Arnold Cody, 951 F.2d 280 (1991), we granted certiorari resolve conflict. 517 116 1671, 134 775 (1996).4 II 4 Motivated largely overcrowded condition entire system,5 State Reform Act 1983, comprehensive revision State's laws.6 authorized awards "basic gain-time'' rate 10 each month, "up 20 incentive gain time, shall credited applied monthly,'' additional deductions "meritorious 60 days.'' See Fla. Laws, ch. 83-131 §8.7 created emergency procedure followed "whenever correctional exceeds 98 percent lawful capacity males females, both.'' §5(1).8 When declared, "the sentences who eligible earn reduced credit up 30 5-day increments necessary reduce inmate 97 capacity.'' §5(2). 5 ensuing system. 1987 legislature raised threshold awarding 98% 99% capacity. At same form credit, gain-time, threshold, maximum already earning gain-time. Inmates serving offenses ineligible awards. 1988 repealed provision, replaced system.9 language virtually identical statute-it but triggered 97.5% addition, expanded list 6 Having under statutes, well 1992. That year, inmates, murder.10 As action, 2,789 still custody canceled, rearrest warrants 164 released.11 latter class. 7 contend two reasons: (1) punishment; (2) case, specific We consider arguments separately. III 8 presumption against application laws thread mantle protection affords individual citizen. "is deeply rooted our jurisprudence, embodies legal doctrine centuries older Republic.'' Landgraf USI Film Products, 511 244, 265, 114 1483, 1497, 128 229 (1994). finds expression several Constitution.12 prohibition only one aspect broader constitutional arbitrary law. both civil criminal context, Constitution places limits sovereign's ability use law-making power modify bargains has made subjects. principle protects rich powerful, Winstar Corp., 518 2432, 135 964 (1996), indigent defendant engaged negotiations lead acknowledgment guilt suitable 9 Article I, §10 provides " [n]o . pass Law.'' Beazell Ohio, 269 167, 46 68, 70 L.Ed. 216 (1925), Stone explained: "The judicial interpretation rest upon notion laws, whatever form, purport make innocent acts event, aggravate offense, harsh oppressive, quality attributable act, either definition nature imposed commission, should altered legislative enactment, fact, disadvantage accused.'' Id., 170, 68-69. 11 bulk jurisprudence involved claims inflicted "a greater punishment, annexed committed.'' Calder Bull, Dall. 386, 390, 648 (1798).13 explained implicate central concerns Clause: lack fair notice governmental restraint increases beyond what prescribed consummated.'' 30, 965, 17 (1981). 12 retrospective-that "it apply events occurring before enactment''-and "must it'' altering conduct (1990). consequent reincarceration retrospective. narrow issue decide thus consequences 13 arguing inflicts relies primarily decision considered second-degree sentenced 15 years. Weaver's plea, provided contingent prisoner per month first sentence, third fourth thereafter. opportunity less nine 1978 formula computing time; instead 5, 10, three, six, days. withdraw curtailing availability future effectively postponed would become release. crimes committed enactment "more onerous,'' unanimously concluded ran "afoul laws.'' 968. 14 According petitioner, although involves credits, essentially like issuance dependent conduct. other hand submit controlling system, character conduct, gave rise award. view, submissions place undue emphasis intent granting revocation. arriving relied motivation enacting objectively "lengthen[ed] period someone position spend prison.'' 967. Similarly, behavior, inquiry demanded lengthening incarceration. 16 post-Weaver cases, original scheme. Miller Florida, 482 423, 107 2446, 96 351 (1987), guidelines went into between conviction Our guideline onerous prior law,'' 431, 2452 (quoting Dobbert 432 282, 294, 2290, 2298-2299, 53 344 (1977)), rested entirely objective appraisal impact change length offender's presumptive 2452. —("Looking primary points, revised disadvantages similarly situated defendants''). 588 (1995), considerations support amendment California's parole decreased frequency hearings "change "quantum punishment,''' 1602. Morales allowed Parole Board, initial hearing, defer three suitability prisoners multiple murders if Board found unreasonable expect hearing during stated alters penalty punishable.'' n. 3, 3.14 After making inquiry, "there no reason conclude will actual term confinement.'' 1604. squarely ultimate unaffected timing hearings.'' 1605. "speculative attenuated possibilities'' measure Clause, 1609, analysis 18 imply respondents contend, constitutionality quantum depended mention following passage: 19 "In contrast Lindsey [v. Washington, 301 397, 57 797, 81 1182 (1937)] (which enhancing range available terms, Miller, supra, 433-434 [107 2452-2453]), evident focus merely ""to relieve [Board] costly time-consuming responsibility scheduling hearings'''' reasonable chance being released. re Jackson, 39 Cal.3d 464, 473 [216 Cal.Rptr. 760, 765-766] 703 P.2d 100, 106 (1985) history).'' Thus, concluded, neither nor Whether alone sufficient basis concluding never addressed. Moreover, statements regarding refer creation scheme; referred whether, changing intended lengthen might offense-based exclusion. Here, unlike there evidence scheme save money. Rather, quite obvious prevent murder-related credits.15 21 permissible gain-time-unlike used encourage rehabilitation-"b[ears] relationship assigned calculated guidelines.'' Brief Respondent Mathis 20. rests "in sentence,'' precedents. recognized alteration provisions, govern sentencing, implicates "one determinant [the petitioner's] effective once changed.'' Ibid. removal can constitute increase "prisoner's eligibility imprisonment significant factor entering defendant's bargain judge's calculation imposed.'' reasoning does because, contendere, credits. State, all, alleviated problem various ways: built prisons; paroled large category non-violent offenders; discontinued prosecution victimless crimes. Amendment "create[d] most speculative possibility producing prohibited covered crimes.'' 1603.16 Given amendment, find unpersuasive. course makes unnecessary speculate about happened. unquestionably prolonged imprisonment. Unlike simply remove mechanism class whose unlikely; previously eligible-including some, released.17 IV 23 appear advanced papers Appeals, brief opposition now disagree. 24 same: reductions percentage 1986, effect. Under statute, capacity, Secretary required advise Governor and, receiving Governor's verification certification, declare whereupon "shall increments, Stat. §944.598(2) (1983).18 25 FC21SMoreover, general's reading limit These contain wording §944.276(1) §944.277(1) (1989), yet interpreted total 26 later outlined (after contendere) Secretary, certification Governor, "may grant gain-time.'' (1987). discretionary, contained exclusions. provision replace except reaches 98%. §944.277 (1988). Griffin Singletary, 638 So.2d 500 (Fla.1994). 27 much manner recognize, however, Between 1992, If exceed force portion 1,860-day leave 28 judgment reversed, remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 29 It so ordered. whom SCALIA joins, judgment. 31 I understand Court's hold cancelling so-called them freedom, naturally follows view prohibit "retroactively alter acts.'' 43, 2719, 32 particular often close question. example, respondent challenged hearings. risk attached crimes,'' violation. 33 here "speculative'' "attenuated.'' contendre duly sentenced. During confinement, response Those enabled freed (as originally imposed) run. secured preventing categories taking advantage placed among acquire retroactively. Attorney General subsequently giving 34 circumstances, agree nullification accrued, then used, Constitution's ban lawmaking. not, join majority's discussion (1981), resolution case. "good conduct'' afoul 25, 962. present elimination earned used. Accordingly, concur syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 287, 50 499. included: 170-day spent jail conviction; 2,640 days; (3) "additional [incentive] 958 (4) "administrative 335 (5) Disciplinary forfeiture 295 Hock 41 F.3d 1470 (1995). Dugger Rodrick, 584 (Fla.1991), cert. denied, sub nom. Rodrick 502 1037, 112 886, 790 (1992). advance claim court. failure exhaust remedies, exhaustion Appeals; Presumably satisfied, are, futile. statute's exclusion court reasoned "procedural'' create substantive rights. Dugger, (1994) suggested why courts decided differently. 1980 consented entry decree establishing approval. Costello Wainwright, 489 F.Supp. 1100 (M.D.Fla.1980). 1982 special session Overcrowding Task Force, drafted legislation. 83-131. Section amended §944.275 Statutes. pertinent part, provides: existence whenever both. conveying information, secretary department certify rated design current verifies letter, emergency. Following declaration emergency, 83-131, §5. 88-122, 1993. 1993 93-406, §§32, 35. today "control release'' 1989, authorizes incarceration control population. Ann. §947.146 (Supp.1997). Op. Atty. Gen. 92-96 (1992), reprinted Lodging, p. 53; So.2d, 501. 1989 render offenses, murder, (1989). amendments, amendments 1990 1991 exclusion, prospectively. prospectively, Letter July 9, 1996, App. Public Defender Association, Inc., Amicus Curiae. challenge action. flatly prohibits penal §10, cl. 1, passing another type legislation, "impairing Obligation Contracts.' Fifth Amendment's Takings prevents (and government actors) depriving private persons vested property rights "public use' payment 'just compensation.' prohibitions "Bills Attainder' Art. §§9-10, legislatures singling out disfavored meting summary past See, Brown, 381 437, 456-462 [85 1707, 1718-1722, 484] (1965). Due Process interests repose compromised legislation '' 266, 1497 (footnote omitted). falls four described Chase: "1st. Every done law, done, criminal; punishes 2d. aggravates was, committed. 3d. 4th. rules evidence, receives less, different, testimony, commission offence, order convict offender.'' Dall., (emphasis deleted). Later restated test language: evaluating 1981 determine produces 1603. Indeed, notorious sex murderer. 92-96, 283, Lodging. counterpart prisoners-multiple murderers-who little parole. Second, initially deemed unsuitable Lastly, board "retain[ed] authority tailor circumstances prisoner.'' Simply put, rejected said certainty statutory "onerous'' crime. 1603 (1977), "refusing accept "speculation' onerous' old one''). note argue, found, act "procedural.'' There merit procedural "simply alter[s] methods employed determining'' "to imposed'' "chang[ing] crime.'' 293-294, 2298. method determining procedural. Butterworth suggests realized Therefore, according general, unlikely lends itself reading. corr ectional §944.598(1) (1983) added). duty continuing until 97% again 98%,

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