Document: 530 U.S. 120120 S. Ct. 2090147 L. Ed. 2d 94 JAIME CASTILLO, ET AL. v. UNITED STATES No. 99-658 SUPREME COURT OF THE April 24, 2000, Argued June 5, Decided On remand at, Remanded by United States Castillo, 220 F.3d 648, 2000 App. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR FIFTH CIRCUIT. 179 321, 1999 App (5th Cir. Tex., 1999) reversed and remanded. BREYER, J., delivered the opinion of Court, in which REHNQUIST, C. STEVENS, O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, GINSBURG, JJ., joined, SCALIA, joined except as to point Fourth Part II. JUSTICE BREYER Court. * 1 In this case we once again decide whether words a federal criminal statute create offense elements (determined jury) or sentencing factors judge). See Jones States, 526 227, 143 311, 119 1215 (1999); Almendarez-Torres 523 224, 140 350, 118 1219 (1998). The question, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (1988 ed., Supp. V), prohibits use carrying "firearm" relation crime violence, increases penalty dramatically when weapon used carried is, for example, "machinegun." We conclude that uses word "machinegun" (and similar words) state an element separate offense. 2 Petitioners are members Branch-Davidian religious sect among those who were involved violent confrontation with agents from Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms near Waco, Texas, 1993. before us arises out indictment alleging that, other things, petitioners conspired murder officers. At time petitioners' trial, at issue (reprinted its entirety Appendix, infra) read relevant part: 3 "(c)(1) Whoever, during any violence . ., carries firearm, shall, addition punishment provided such .,be sentenced imprisonment five years, if firearm is short barreled rifle [or a] short-barreled shotgun ten machinegun, destructive device, equipped silencer muffler, thirty years." 924(c)(1) V). 4 A jury determined had violated section by, trial judge's instruction, "knowingly using to" commission violence. 29. sentencing, judge found "firearms" included certain machineguns (many silencers) handgrenades defendants actually constructively possessed. Branch, Crim. W-93-CR-046 (WD 21, 1994), reprinted Pet. Cert. 119a, 124a-125a. then imposed statute's mandatory 30-year prison sentence. Id. 134a. 5 appealed. Meanwhile, Court decided "use" requires evidence more than "mere possession." Bailey 516 137, 143, 133 472, 116 501 (1995). Appeals subsequently held our decision necessitated determine whether, Bailey's stronger sense "use," "machineguns enhancing weapons." 91 699, 740-741 (CA5 1996). court also concluded statutory factors, i.e., enhance sentence, not crime. 738-740. Hence, it specified "was required" "machineguns" enhanced weapons. 740. Rather, wrote "should district find on conspiracy actively employed machineguns, free reimpose sentence." (emphasis added). remand, District resentenced terms based weapons-related findings. 119a. affirmed. 321 1999). 6 Federal Courts have different views appearing version here issue) refers factor be assessed creates new substantive jury. Compare, e.g., Alborola-Rodriguez, 153 1269, 1272 (CA11 1998) (sentencing factor), Alerta, 96 1230, 1235 (CA9 1996) (element). granted certiorari resolve conflict. II 7 question Congress intended references particular types define simply authorize penalty. If former, must identify type proved beyond reasonable doubt. latter, matter need tried but may left decide. As note, concluded, situation, treating facts lead increase maximum sentence would give rise significant constitutional questions. Jones, 239-252. Here, even apart doctrine doubt, consideration 924(c)(1)'s language, structure, context, history, typically help courts objectives, leads 8 First, while literal taken alone, appears neutral, overall structure strongly favors "new crime" interpretation. says: "Whoever, .,uses shall 924(c)(1). one hand, could "during violence" "uses firearm" setting forth two basic offense, subsequent phrase merely increasing defendant's cases. But, equal ease, emphasizing "if , " can language substituting initial "firearm"; thereby both incorporating reference phrases relate creating containing element, 9 clarifies ambiguity inherent language. first part opening clearly indisputably establishes gun Rodriguez-Moreno, 275, 280, 388, 1239 (1999). placed single broken up dashes separated into subsections. Cf. 232-233 (noting carjacking -- "principal paragraph" followed "numbered subsections" makes "look" though sets factors). next three sentences (which appear after quoted above (see infra)) refer directly sentencing: recidivism, second concurrent sentences, third parole. These structural features suggest job entire definition crimes role remaining description (such recidivism) ordinarily pertain only sentencing. 10 concede there circumstances contrary title 924 "Penalties"; 1998 reenacted 924(c)(1), separating parts others) subsections, see Pub. 105-386, 1(a)(1), 112 Stat. 3469. case, however, section's cannot help, already has least some portion 924, including itself, creates, enhancements, entirely crimes. Rep. 98-225, pp. 312-314 (1984) ("Section distinct underlying felony provision"); Busic 446 398, 404, 64 381, 100 1747 (1980); Simpson 435 6, 10, 55 70, 98 909 (1978). alone does tell which. Nor postenactment restructuring what enacted earlier provision governs case. Almendarez-Torres, 237 (amendments neither "declare meaning law" nor "seek clarify general term" fail provide interpretive guidance). 11 [2] Second, say traditionally "shotgun" "machinegun") respect "use carry" supra, 234 ("Statutory drafting occurs against backdrop traditional treatment categories important facts"); 230 (recidivism "is typical might imagine"). Traditional often involve either characteristics offender, special manner was (e.g., defendant abused position trust brandished gun). 3553(a)(1) (providing "shall" consider "the history defendant" nature offense"); also, Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual 4A1.1 (Nov. (sentence history); 3B1.3 (upward adjustment abuse trust); 5K2.6 (same dangerous instrumentality). Offender issue. And, although means (or manner) offender mentioned, itself Busic, 404; Simpson, 10. 12 Government argues conceptually speaking, machinegun "method" committing "firearms offense." Brief 23. But difference between carrying, say, pistol (or, mention another same "destructive device," bomb) great, degree kind. importantly, concerns lying closest heart It surprising numerous make distinctions weapons pistols machineguns. See, 922(a)(4) (making unlawful "transport interstate foreign commerce" "machine gun," unless carrier licensed authorized, making no prohibition pistols); 922(b)(4) (prohibiting unauthorized sale delivery guns" weapons); 922(o)(1) "unlawful person transfer possess machine gun"); 922(v)(1) illegal "to manufacture, transfer, semiautomatic assault weapon"). And do indication legislatures judges viewed insubstantial. Indeed, fact (a) prescribes six times severe mere "firearm," (b) interpreted cases, 1235; Melvin, 27 710, 714 (CA1 1994); Judicial Committee Model Jury Instructions Eighth Circuit, Criminal P6.18.924C (1997 ed.), Sand, J. Siffert, W. Loughlin, & Reiss, Modern Instructions: Pattern Instructions, p. 8-153 (1999), points conclusion act substantial supports "separate 13 Third, ask jury, rather judge, rarely complicate risk unfairness. 234-235 (pointing potential unfairness placing recidivism jury). practical matter, determining will asked assess well under allegedly used. Furthermore, inasmuch prosecution's usually presenting weapons) arguing within statute, unlikely enable respond (1) "I did carry (2) "even I did, pistol, machinegun." rule law difficult claims decisionmaker (the prejudice 14 time, leaves unnecessarily produce conflict That because, interpreting issue, several used, passively Bailey, 143. necessarily know jury's determination. Under these circumstances, later, sentencing-related than, belief he factual underlay conviction. 1234-1235 (in absence specific finding regarding possible sentence). There reason think wanted prevail so direct conflict, particularly applies lower standard proof 25 additional years stake. 15 Fourth, legislative elements. 924(c), originally enacted, minimum term year (up years) where "used commit felony," "carried unlawfully felony." Gun Control Act 1968, 102, 82 1223; Omnibus Crime 1970, 13, 84 1889. 1984, amended law, eliminating range permissible penalties, specifying added top related "crime violence," enhancements. Comprehensive 1005(a), 2138. 1986, providing 10-year (20 offenses) muffler." Owners' Protection Act, 104(a)(2), 456. 1988, changed here-relevant form. Anti-Drug Abuse 6460, 102 4373. 16 finds surrounding enactment key 1986 significant. House Report spoke stated, bill "a drug trafficking twenty H. R. 99-495, 28 (1986); id. (bill "provides offense"). statements bill's sponsors supporters floor noting, proposed "imposes [who] 132 Cong. Rec. 3809 (1986) (statement Hughes); 6843 Volkmer) "includes stiff firearms, silencers, crimes"); 6850 Moore) (machinegun clause "strengthens penalties"); 6856 Wirth) (proposed "would many benefits, expansion persons crime"). similarly, "any discussion suggesting creation offense" "noticeably absent" record. 739; 36. 17 Insofar relevant, significantly Government. because dealt primarily pre-eminent feature consisting 142 imposition Smith 508 223, 124 138, 113 2050 (1993) (same). little, "mandatory sentencing" show believed provisions work similarly. discuss "using see, seemingly describe conduct, and, thus, argue (not for) Government's position. Fifth finally, length severity turns presence listed types) weighs favor offense-related referring element. Thus, considering genuinely uncertain Congress' intent regard, assume preference determination matter. Staples 511 600, 619, n. 17, 128 608, 114 1793 (1994) (rule lenity "ambiguous statutes construed accused"); Granderson, 39, 54, 127 611, 1259 (similar); Bass, 404 336, 347, 30 488, 92 515 (1971) considerations, view, cases closely divided likely intent. For reasons believe type-related separate, aggravated Accordingly, reverse proceedings consistent opinion. 19 ordered. APPENDIX OPINION 20 "§ 924. Penalties. 21 22 (including provides committed deadly device) prosecuted crime, years. his conviction subsection, life without release. Notwithstanding place probation suspend convicted violation subsection run concurrently carried. No eligible parole herein." V) (footnote omitted). 23 ----------------------------------------Footnotes 24 SCALIA joins

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