Document: 425 U.S. 484 96 S.Ct. 1646 48 L.Ed.2d 113 Charles HAMPTON, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 74-5822. Argued Dec. 1, 1975. Decided April 27, 1976. Syllabus As a result of selling to Government agents heroin supplied by informant, petitioner was convicted federal offense. The Court Appeals affirmed, rejecting petitioner's argument that if the jury believed drug him informant he should have been acquitted under defense entrapment regardless his predisposition commit crime. Petitioner contends that, although such renders unavailable an defense, Government's outrageous conduct in supplying with contraband denied due process. Held: judgment is affirmed. Pp. 488-491; 491-495. 507 F.2d 832, Mr. Justice Rehnquist, joined Chief and White, concluded where, as here, agents, defendant acted concert one another, conceded crime question, not only but also violation process rights cannot properly be claimed. United States v. Russell, 411 423, 93 1637, 36 366. 488-491. Powell, Blackmun, supra, defeats particular contention here does foreclose reliance on principles or this Court's supervisory power bar conviction because police every case, circumstances, where able prove predisposition. David A. Lang, St. Louis, Mo., for petitioner, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Keith Jones, Washington, D. C., respondent. REHNQUIST announced opinion which THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join. 1 This case presents question whether may sale procured from agent. Eighth Circuit held could be, we agree. 2 * two counts distributing 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) District Eastern Missouri sentenced concurrent terms five years' imprisonment (suspended).1 arose sales Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Louis February 25 26, 1974. were arranged Hutton, who pool-playing acquaintance at Pud DEA informant. 3 According witnesses, late 1974, Hutton shooting pool when after observing "track" (needle) marks Hutton's arms told needed money knew get some heroin. responded find buyer suggested "get touch those people." then called Agent Terry Sawyer 10 p. m. 25.2 4 At appointed time, went prearranged meetingplace met McDowell, posing narcotics dealers. produced tinfoil packet cap turned it over tested it, pronounced "okay," negotiated price $145 paid petitioner. Before they parted, obtain larger quantities gave phone number reached. 5 next day another "buy" afternoon. got go along again near had previous night. 6 They all entered agents' car, cap. field-tested satisfactory. asked $500 said would trunk. out opened trunk signal other move arrest did. 7 Petitioner's version events quite different. him, response statement short cash, friend pharmacist produce non-narcotic counterfeit give same reaction proposed gullible acquaintances led believe buying testified successfully duped fake solicited petitioner3 effort profit further ploy. 8 contended neither intended sell, nor dealing drugs sold Hutton. His account least partially disbelieved instructed order convict proved "that knowingly did act law forbids, purposely intending violate law." Thus guilty verdict necessarily implies rejected claim know substance heroin, himself admitted both soliciting carrying sales. relevance facts, then, lies having requested instruction embodying version.4 He request standard following: 9 "The asserts victim crimes charged indictment. 'f you defendant's informer employ acting behalf government, must acquit matter policy forbids case. 11 "Furthermore, need consider offense charged, governmental involvement through its reached point I just defined your own minds, matter." Brief 9. 12 trial court refused found guilty. appealed Circuit, claiming acquitted. affirmed conviction, relying our 366 (1973). 832 (1974). II 13 In Russell statutory available agent necessary ingredient manufacture illicit drug. We reaffirmed principle Sorrells States, 287 435, 53 210, 77 L.Ed. 413 (1932), Sherman 356 369, 78 819, 848 (1958), "focus(es) intent crime," U.S., 429, S.Ct., 1641, L.Ed.2d, 371, rather than upon agents. ruled possibility ever based misconduct one, established. 14 holding "(i)t deception actually implants criminal design mind comes into play," 436, 1645, 376, we, course, contrary view dissents concurrences Sherman. these holdings, correctly recognizes qualify involving "entrapment" all. instead relies language "we presented situation enforcement so absolutely government invoking judicial processes cf. Rochin California, 342 165, 72 205, 183 (1952). . ." 431-432, 1643, 373. 15 urging involves rights, misapprehends meaning quoted supra. Admittedly different Russell's difference degree, kind. legal defendants demonstrably obtained sources besides Government. Here allegedly illegal constituted Corpus delicti convicted. obviously played more significant role enabling sell Russell. 16 But each defendant, either predisposed remedy respect acts which, far beg resisted, are encouraged solely entrapment. But, noted, rendered him. 17 To sustain run directly "to judiciary 'chancellor's foot' veto practices approve. execution laws Constitution confided primarily Executive Branch Government, subject applicable constitutional limitations judicially fashioned rules enforce limitations." 1644, 375. 18 Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment come play activity violates protected right Defendant. Here, police, another. If "implant innocent person disposition alleged induce commission .," Sorrells, 442, 212, L.Ed., 417, engage beyond scope their duties lies, freeing equally culpable prosecuting provisions state law. See O'Shea Littleton, 414 488, 503, 94 669, 679, 38 674, 687 (1974); Imbler Pachtman, 424 409, pp. 428-429, 984, 994, 47 128, 142-143 (1976). no deprived any secured deprive rights. 19 Affirmed. 20 STEVENS took part consideration decision POWELL, whom BLACKMUN joins, concurring judgment. 22 Petitioner, Hampton, later prosecuted trafficking constitutes Per se Denial do accept proposition, concur much plurality directed specifically Hampton's contention. am join remainder opinion, unnecessarily reach decide difficult questions before us. 23 431, 1642, 366, 373 (1973), noted "difficulties (attend) notion can embodied fixed rules." 173, 183, 190 (1952); 384-385, 826-827, 848, 857-858 (1958) (Frankfurter, J., result). recognized practicalities combating traffic frequently require officers legitimately supply "some item value ring requires." 432, 374. Accordingly, investigative techniques. Hampton distinguish On ground itself while phenyl-2-propanone Was contraband. Given characteristics phenyl-2-propanone,1 distinction without Disposes 24 today stop there. discussing contention, enunciates Rule: "(In Russell,) (w)e Ever Be established." Ante, 488-489. (Emphasis supplied.) 26 Solely entrapment." 490.. 27 thus says concept fundamental fairness inherent guarantee never prevent outrageousness behavior light surrounding circumstances. 28 understand Or earlier cases delineating predisposition-focused entrapment2 gone far, there them so. confronted specific claims "overinvolvement" Disposition overinvolvement offenses proportions process.3 Nor occasion yet confront areas outside realm offenses. Cf. Archer, 486 670 (CA2 1973). unwilling conclude analysis limited appropriate principles.4 29 plurality's use "chancellor's foot" passage ante, 490, suggest conduct. Again, havgone far. There indicated extremely reluctant invoke kind "federal (does) approve." 375, 490. 30 unmindful doctrinal5 practical6 difficulties limits focus predisposition, participation ordinarily will fully justified society's "war classes." 453, 216, 413, 423 (1932) (opinion Roberts, J.). undoubtedly concern prompts embrace absolute rule. left open And controlled completely therefore concluding what support predisposition.7 31 BRENNAN, STEWART MARSHALL concur, dissenting. 32 my Brother Stewart's dissent 439, 1646, 377 Frankfurter's 378, 823, 854 (1958). Those opinions separate Roberts express view, agree, "courts refuse entrapped falls proscription statute, because, even guilt admitted, methods employed bring about countenanced." 380, 824, 855. "subjective" approach followed Sherman, Russell- focuses propensities and, absence conclusive showing, permits determine fact "predisposition" crime.1 espoused oberts, Frankfurter, Stewart "is 'whether revealed below standards, common feelings respond, proper power.' Under approach, determination lawfulness made legality judge, jury." 441, 1647, 378. allege course plainly constitute 33 event, think reversal compelled follow notes, involved pervasive 489. addition, agree POWELL Does imposition authorities sufficiently offensive, though individuals entitled might "predisposed." 495. permissible limits. 34 Two facts significantly First, chemical It possess essential methamphetamine, itself. contrast, very narcotic accused Compare 489, 491-492. 35 Second, "was active participant manufacturing enterprise began appeared scene, continued scene." 376. unlawfully processing Id., 424, 1639, ongoing operation. instigated completed purchase. beginning end coincided exactly entry withdrawal similarly Greene 454 783 (CA9 1971). Whether differences Situation degree kind, clearly result. Where deliberately sets up bringing potential purchaser, has passed toleration. West, 511 1083 (CA3 1975). doing nothing less intermediary jailing intermediary. Bueno, 447 903, 905 (CA5 little, any, interest promoted conduct; designed discover traffic. Rather, entices individual That "predisposed" possibly justify action officials purposefully creating No round jail individuals, precisely set-ups like instant accomplish. 443-444, 1648, 380-381 (Stewart, dissenting). Thus, instancef "the seeking punish product creative officials." 451, 422. 37 These considerations persuaded hold provided selling, affected See, E. g., Oquendo, 490 161 (5 Cir. 1974); Mosley, 496 1012 1974). Third agreed, Bueno After decided.2 Even courts erred Did finding 492 n. 2, possible suggests appeal alternatives egregious 493-495.3 Pitioner makes benefit For reasons stated minimum engraft Principle barred charge agent.4 Olmstead 277 438, 470, 564, 575, 944, 952 (1928) (Holmes, dissenting); Casey 276 423-425, 373, 375-376, 632, 636-637 (Brandeis, placed probation concurrently 28- 30-year armed robbery sentence escaped. testimony confused dates. initial conversation occurred 25. days. appeal, counsel, counsel trial, 836 (CA8 treated proffered merits, inquiring refusal, instructions given jury's verdict, harmless error. likewise. Although contraband, useful methamphetamine ("speed"), Further, obtain. 425-427, 1639-1640, 369-371 (1973); 447, 1650, 382 Definitively construed focused "Entrapment" now term art concept. 488-499. mean, however, doctrine relevant otherwise defendant. first context simple solicitation (1958); (1932). investigation. Official intensive levels cases. Judge Friendly recently expressed view: "(T)here certainly (constitutional) limit allowing unthinkable, example, permit instigate robberies beatings merely gather evidence members gang hoodlums. Governmental 'investigation' activities injury citizens sanction." F.2d, 676-677 (footnote omitted). finds source limiting 490-491; 430-431, 1642-1643, 372-373. While conclusion ultimately disregard lightly responsibility "necessarily (the Court's) keeping accommodate dangers overzealous civilized adequate counter ingenuity modern criminals." 381, 825, 856 (concurring Frankfurter warned exclusive creates risk "shirk" perceived. Ibid. discussion often seems overlook widely varying degrees involvement. Taking distribute "pushers" persons who, import manufacture, merit most full sanction Yet, pushers varies widely. hardcore professional, "business" large scale years, contrasted high-school youth whose "pushing" few classmates span time. Predisposition against types offenders, flat rule enunciated between circumstances irrelevant despite conceivable relative A fair system justice normally eschew unbending foreclose, application, discretion. recognize situations, defining difficult. themselves essence means fairness, replete examples judgments Ham South Carolina, 409 524, 46 sometimes sharply make sufficient reason deny judiciary's warranted 169-172, 208-209, 188-190. Much true power. despair ability identify standards "chancellor's" "fastidious squeamishness private sentimentalism." 172, 209, 190; see result); 190. emphasize cases, proof dispositive rare. Police demonstrable level conviction. especially show offenses, detect undercover One easily exaggerate problems effectively expanding traffic, 373; L. Tiffany, McIntyre, & Rotenberg, Detection Crime 263-264 (1967), major contributing causes escalating cities. President's Commission Law Justice, Challenge Free Society 221-222 (1967). allowed flexibility activity. reasonable alternative inquiry factor brought charge. Once forward supplier, prosecution bear burden proving doubt (1) supplier (2) elsewhere complete transaction. 1083, 1086 1975); 903 Seventh McGrath, 468 1027 (1972). remanded reconsideration 412 936, 2769, 395 apparently survive 494 562 catch participants justification unconvincing. distributor narcotics, required set "buy"; putative pusher worth ready access supply. 448-449, 1650-1651, 382-383 present purposes adopt ought Clause. addition cited 445 3, 1649, 381 dissenting), adopted objective approach. State Mullen, 216 N.W.2d 375 (Iowa People Turner, 390 Mich. 7, 210 336 Lynn State, 505 P.2d 1337 (Okl.Cr.1973).

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