Document: 444 U.S. 248 100 S.Ct. 512 62 L.Ed.2d 457 Roger Dale THOMPSONv.UNITED STATES. No. 79-5180. Jan. 14, 1980. PER CURIAM. 1 The Department of Justice has a firmly established policy, known as the "Petite " under which United States Attorneys are forbidden to prosecute any person for allegedly criminal behavior if alleged criminality was an ingredient previous state prosecution against that person. An exception is made only federal specifically authorized in advance by itself, upon finding will serve "compelling interests law enforcement."1 2 In this case Solicitor General advised us policy violated. Accordingly, he urges Court "to permit effectuation government's successive prosecutions granting petition, vacating judgment court appeals, and remanding district with instructions grant motion dismiss indictment." 3 1978, petitioner brought trial Kentucky on charge armed burglary, convicted jury lesser included offense. He then prosecuted Federal District unlawfully possessing firearm—a grew out same transaction had been basis prosecution. This conviction affirmed Appeals Sixth Circuit, accepted Government's position not violated.2 4 now concedes Attorney did obtain authorization required before bringing Moreover, "after careful review" whether nunc pro tunc authorization, concluded "petitioner's firearm supported independent compelling interest satisfied burglary." 5 Ever since 1959, consistently responded requests Government cases such certiorari judgments. See, e. g., Hammons v. States, 439 810, 99 68, 58 102 (1978); Frakes 435 911, 98 1464, 55 503 Rinaldi 434 22, 81, 54 207 (1977); Croucher 429 1034, 97 725, 50 744 Watts 422 1032, 95 2648, 45 688 (1975); Ackerson 419 1099, 769, 42 796 Hayles 892, 168, 136 (1974); Thompson 400 17, 91 122, 27 17 (1970); Marakar 370 723, 82 1573, 8 803 (1962); Petite 361 529, 80 450, 490 (1960). 6 practice, rests power "afford relief 'just circumstances,' 28 U.S.C. § 2106," supra, U.S., at 25, n.8, S.Ct., 83, unique violations policy. also vacated judgments other represented were violation policies. Blucher 1061, 823, 59 (1979) (obscenity prosecution); Nunley 962, 499, 448 (1977) (prosecution willfully making false statements concerning matters within jurisdiction Treasury); Margraf 414 1106, 94 833, 38 734 (1973) carrying "concealed deadly or dangerous" weapon while boarding aircraft); Robison 390 198, 88 903, 19 1040 (1968) (addition counts retrial); Redmond 384 264, 86 1415, 16 521 (1966) prosecution). 7 instant differs from long line decisions here mistakenly, successfully, Because circumstance, we do accept General's suggestion. Rather, response his suggestion examination record, leave proceed forma pauperis certiorari, vacate judgment, remand reconsideration light present position. course one frequently taken when, here, changed its pending petition certiorari. Garner 430 942, 1574, 51 789 (1977). It so ordered. 9 THE CHIEF JUSTICE Mr. WHITE dissent. 10 BLACKMUN, whom REHNQUIST joins, dissents reason already presented issue passed adversely Promulgated wake Court's decision Abbate 359 187, 79 666, 729 (1959), first recognized 531, per curiam opinion unreported, but affirmance order reported 601 F.2d 591.

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