Document: 508 U.S. 36 113 S.Ct. 1913 123 L.Ed.2d 598 Terry Lynn STINSON, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 91-8685. Argued March 24, 1993. Decided May 3, Syllabus * After petitioner Stinson pleaded guilty to a five-count indictment resulting from his robbery of bank, the District Court sentenced him as career offender under United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual § 4B1.1, which requires, inter alia, that "the instant offense conviction [be] crime violence." The court found Stinson's possession firearm by convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. 922(g), was "crime violence" term then defined in USSG 4B1.2(1). While case on appeal, however, Commission promulgated Amendment 433, added sentence 4B1.2 commentary expressly excluded felon-in-possession definition. Appeals nevertheless affirmed sentence, adhering its earlier interpretation question categorically violence and holding is not binding federal courts. Held: Manual's interprets or explains guideline authoritative unless it violates Constitution statute, inconsistent with, plainly erroneous reading of, guideline. Pp. ____. (a) erred concluding 433 Commentary functions "interpret [a] explain how be applied," 1B1.7, controls, if failure follow, misreading such results "select[ed] . wrong range," Williams v. States, 503 ----, 112 1112, 1120, 117 341, would constitute "an incorrect application guidelines" should set aside 3742(f)(1) error harmless, see Williams, supra, at S.Ct., ----. Guideline 1B1.7 makes this proposition clear, Court's U.S., Commission's policy statements bind courts applies with equal force issue. However, does follow all instances. standard governs whether particular interpretive explanatory one an agency's own legislative rule: Provided violate must given controlling weight regulation interprets. See, e.g., Bowles Seminole Rock & Sand Co., 325 410, 414, 65 1215, 1217, 89 L.Ed. 1700. Amended even though reviewed Congress, prior judicial constructions cannot prevent adopting conflicting satisfies adopted herein. (b) Application foregoing principles leads conclusion may use predicate for purposes imposing 4B1.1's provision those defendants whom applies. Although text compel Amendment's exclusion definition, quoted phrase because run afoul 4B1.2. (c) declines address Government's argument conformed effect when he sentenced, reversed appeal based upon postsentence amendment provisions. did consider theory, fairly included formulated grant certiorari. It left addressed remand. P. 943 F.2d 1268 (CA 11 1991), vacated remanded. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. William Mallory Kent, Jacksonville, FL, petitioner. Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Washington, DC, respondent. Justice KENNEDY 1 In we review decision Eleventh Circuit We decide 2 Petitioner entered plea Florida bank. presentence report recommended Guidelines. See 4B1.1 (Nov.1989). Section provided defendant if: 3 "(1) least eighteen years old time offense, (2) felony either controlled substance (3) has two convictions offense." All concede events leading occurred had crimes violence, thereby satisfying first third elements definition offender. second element requirement gave rise ultimate problem case. At sentencing, guidelines as, among other things, "any state law punishable imprisonment exceeding year involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another." Middle petitioner's contained counts, relied only applying guidelines. accord conclusions, 4 On maintained position §§ affirmed, felon was, categorical matter, violence. 1268, 1271-1273 (CA11 1991). decision, Manual, 4B1.2, became effective. new stated "[t]he 'crime violence' include unlawful felon."1 App. C, 253 (Nov.1992). comment., n. 2. sought rehearing, arguing retroactive effect, but adhered denied petition rehearing opinion. 957 813 1992) (per curiam). 5 Rather than considering application, held Guidelines, "persuasive," "limited authority" "binding" Id., 815. rested fact Congress amendments 28 994(p). "decline[d] bound change section 4B1.2's until amends language exclude specifically violence.' " F.2d, various appeals have taken positions accorded Guidelines,2 so granted 506 459, 121 368 (1992). 6 Reform Act 1984, amended, 3551 et seq. (1988 Ed. Supp. III), 991-998 created 991(a), charged task "establish[ing] sentencing policies practices Federal criminal justice system," 991(b)(1). Mistretta 488 361, 367-370, 109 647, 652-654, 102 714 (1989). executed function promulgating Manual. contains three varieties. First itself. establishes are "for determining imposed case." 994(a)(1). provide direction appropriate type punishment—probation, fine, —and extent punishment imposed. 994(a)(1)(A) (B). Amendments submitted 6-month period review, during can modify disapprove them. variety statement. authorizes promulgation "general regarding aspects further Act. 994(a)(2). variant commentary, issue both accompanied extensive commentary. express terms authorize issuance refer it. 3553(b) (in depart range, shall guidelines, statements, official Commission"). serve these functions: "suggest circumstances warrant departure guidelines," "provide background information, including factors considered reasons underlying guideline." 1B1.7. 7 As observed, judges exercise their uncontested responsibility pass cases." 391, 665. also Burns 501 111 2182, 2184, 115 (1991). most obvious operation principle respect themselves. provides that, finds aggravating mitigating factor kind, degree, adequate consideration circumstance applicable case, impose within established 3553(a)(4), (b). well statements. 1119, 341 (1992), said "[w]here statement prohibits district taking specified action, guide meaning There, departed upward guidelines' range arrests result convictions. A statement, prohibited basing arrest record alone. 4A1.3, p. s. resulted "imposed harmless. ---- - 1120-1121. 8 before us, determined do apply 814-815. Its now being error. defining 3742(f)(1). itself clear. ("Failure could subjecting possible reversal appeal"). Our dealing us here. Cf. (commentary departures "treated legal equivalent statement"); comment. ("Portions [the Manual] labeled construed thus statements"). 9 If, example, following will violating dictates other, commands compliance Some refused situations falling short flat inconsistency. Thus, articulate binding. 10 Different analogies been suggested helpful characterizations reject. think treat contemporaneous intent drafters issuers guideline, having status similar committee reports advisory notes rules procedure evidence. Quite apart usual difficulties attributing statutory regulatory command reference what documents say about proposers' initial intent, here, often true, issued after promulgated. moreover, become effective congressional modification disapproval. seems process announce some expired. To sure, much same But neither nor indicates to, differs depending represents ex post find inapposite analogy construction statute administers. Under Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 104 2778, 81 694 (1984), unambiguous governs; if, Congress' silence ambiguity "left gap agency fill," defer long "a permissible statute." 842-843, 2781-2782. Commentary, different rule. unlike rule, product delegated authority rulemaking, course yield clear statute. 843, 9, 2781, 9. Rather, concrete guidance applied practice. 12 precise role Government correct suggesting treated Brief 13-16. promulgates virtue delegation 371-379, 654-658, through informal rulemaking procedures 553, 994(x). agencies. functional purpose (of kind here) assist rules, area concern expertise formulate announce. respects akin rules. stated, regulations "controlling regulation." 1700 (1945). Robertson Methow Valley Citizens 490 332, 359, 1835, 1850, 351 (1989); Lyng Payne, 476 926, 939, 106 2333, 2341, 90 921 (1986); Larionoff, 431 864, 872-873, 97 2150, 2155-2156, 53 48 (1977); Udall Tallman, 380 1, 16-17, 85 792, 801-802, 13 616 (1965). K. Davis, Administrative Law Treatise 7:22, pp. 105-107 (2d ed. 1979). According measure consistent contemplates Commission. all, drafts interpreting them, presume interpretations represent accurate indications deems whole authorizing obligation "periodically [to] revise" light consultation authorities representatives system. 994(o). "revie[w] report, worksheets, tribunal's any written agreement," 369-370, 653, every sentence. 994(w). assigning "Congress necessarily contemplated periodically work courts, make whatever clarifying revisions decisions might suggest." Braxton 500 1854, 1858, 114 385 provisions method incorporating revisions, another open bear construction. forth today. 14 perhaps ironic fails recognize full significance provides: 15 "[I]n seeking understand likely look indication who wrote instances, like history material helps determine drafter." 16 note discussion phrased predictive terms. prescriptive content, exposition uses practice put reversible 17 433. compelled text. Nonetheless, "plainly inconsistent" 1217. result, agrees ruling weight. 11-19. suggests, affirm judgment alternative ground. argues id., 22-29, 19-22. claims recourse file motion resentencing, pursuant 3582(c)(2). 33-35. amended 1B1.10(d), s., indicate 469, 296 19 decline argument. refusing upset nonretroactivity theory here advanced Government; refusal vacate view This issue, "fairly included" certiorari, Rule 14.1(a). leave contentions parties aspect 20 vacated, remanded proceedings 21 ordered. syllabus constitutes no part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. contrary substantial body precedent constituted circumstances. 892 296, 304 (CA3 1989), cert. denied, 496 110 3221, 668 (1990); Goodman, 914 696, 698-699 (CA5 1990); Alvarez, 915, 917-919 (CA7 1990), 2057, 462 (1991); Cornelius, 931 490, 492-493 (CA8 1991); O'Neal, 937 1369, 1374-1375 (CA9 Walker, 930 789, 793-795 (CA10 1991) (case below). With below compare, Weston, 960 212, 219 (CA1 (when "fully self-illuminating," guidance; while "do[es] possess law," "important ai[d], entitled considerable respect"); Joshua, 976 844, 855 analogous administrative ambiguous statute; "reasonable reading" guideline); Wimbish, 980 312, 314-315 statements; "must consider" "they [it] they guidelines"), pending, 92-7993; White, 888 497 1989) "contemporaneous explanatio[n] authors, weight"); Smeathers, 884 363, 364 "reflects intent" Commission); Anderson, 942 606, 611-613 (en banc) accompany evidence; guidelines); Saucedo, 950 1508, 1515 (refuses circuit precedent; "our changes actual guideline").

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