Document: 446 U.S. 222 100 S.Ct. 1585 64 L.Ed.2d 169 Thomas BALDASAR, Petitioner,v.State of ILLINOIS. No. 77-6219. April 22, 1980. Rehearing Denied June 16, See 447 930, 3030. Michael Mulder, Elgin, Ill., for petitioner. B. Weinstein, Chicago, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 In Scott v. Illinois, 440 367, 99 1158, 59 383 (1979), the Court held that an uncounseled misdemeanor conviction is constitutionally valid if offender not incarcerated. This case presents question whether such a may be used under enhanced penalty statute to convert subsequent into felony with prison term. 2 Under Illinois law, theft "not from person" property worth less than $150 punishable by more year imprisonment and fine $1,000. Ill.Rev.Stat., ch. 38, §§ 16-1(e)(1), 1005-8-3(a)(1), 1005-9-1(a)(2) (1975). A second same offense, however, treated as term one three years. § 1005-8-1(b)(5). 3 Baldasar, petitioner, was convicted in Cook County Circuit May 1975. The record proceeding indicates he represented lawyer did formally waive any right counsel. Baldasar fined $159 sentenced probation. November 1975 State charged him stealing shower head $29 department store. tried jury DuPage August 1976. prosecution introduced evidence prior asked punished felon enhancement statute. Defense counsel objected admission conviction. She argued unsuccessfully because had been at first proceeding, too unreliable support misdemeanor. App. 7-9. returned guilty verdict on charge, 4 Appellate affirmed divided vote. It emphasized when cases recognized Argersinger Hamlin, 407 25, 92 2006, 32 530 (1972), this confined prosecutions " 'end up actual deprivation person's liberty.' 52 Ill.App.3d 305, 307, 10 Ill.Dec. 71, 74, 367 N.E.2d 459, 462 (1977), quoting Argersinger, supra, U.S., 40, S.Ct., 2014. court rejected petitioner's argument Sixth Fourteenth Amendments prevented imposition "The fact is," wrote, "that [Baldasar] his only not, suggests, again, time imprisonment, conviction." Ill.App.3d, 310, Ill.Dec., 75, N.E.2d, 463. Supreme denied leave appeal, we granted certiorari. 956, 1495, 769 (1979). 5 For reasons stated concurring opinions, judgment reversed, remanded Second District, further proceedings. 6 so ordered. 7 Mr. Justice STEWART, whom BRENNAN STEVENS join, concurring. 8 383, "the United States Constitution require . no indigent criminal defendant unless has afforded assistance appointed defense." Id., 373-374, 1162. 9 after petit larceny, increased previous which defense. seems clear me sentence violated constitutional rule I, therefore, join opinion Court.* 11 MARSHALL, 12 Amendment provides: "In all prosecutions, accused shall enjoy have Assistance Counsel defence." Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 342, 83 792, 795, 799 (1963), appointment "fundamental essential fair trial." Therefore, guarantee made applicable through Amendment. Gideon, course, involved prosecution, but nothing suggests its reasoning like words itself, "all prosecutions." 37, 2012, suggestion applied nonpetty offenses where trial, "no person imprisoned offense 13 Seven years later, considered expressly reserved must provided authorized punishment actually imposed. 2012. "conclude[d] indeed delimit state proceedings" "adopt[ed] line defining counsel." 373, BRENNAN's dissenting Scott, I remain convinced wrongly decided. Nevertheless, even accepts drawn case, think it plain could collaterally impose upon 14 below earlier shoplifting packages bacon since received probation, therefore elevate permit rather maximum otherwise applicable. logic fallacious simple reason purposes. Specifically, invalid purpose depriving petitioner liberty. 15 purport modify or restrict Argersinger. simply proper application our decision" 368, 1159. concluded precise holding required result expressed limit Accordingly, declined extend penalty. Court's view, rested primarily conclusion incarceration severe sanction should imposed trial offered assist defense," 372-373, 16 That deprived liberty "as [the first] trial" clearer. If conviction, present offense.1 Solely transformed felony, serious collateral consequences entails, two excess 1-year maximum. 17 POWELL's opinion, post, 232, asserts permissible first. agree enlargement original offense. were, double jeopardy case. But recidivist clause statute, proves completely different range sentencing options, including substantially longer becomes available. would direct consequence forbidden 18 We lose sight underlying rationale guiding hand every step proceedings against him," Powell Alabama, 287 45, 69, 53 55, 64, 77 L.Ed. 158 (1932), sufficiently reliable imprisonment. 31-36, 2009-2012.2 An does become merely validly reason, purposes imposing itself remains increasing repeat-offender incorrect say decision today creates "new hybrid" convictions. Post, 232 (POWELL, J., dissenting). To contrary, directly, collaterally, illogical unworkable deviation cases.3 19 BLACKMUN, 20 dissent: 21 "Accordingly, hold whenever prosecuted is, six months' see Duncan Louisiana, 391 145, [194, 88 1444, 491] (1968); Baldwin New York, 399 66, [90 1886, 26 437] (1970), subjected [92 530] (1972). 22 "This resolution, feel, provide 'bright line' defendants, prosecutors, appellate courts deserve and, time, reconcile principled basis important considerations led decisions Duncan, Baldwin, Argersinger." 389-390, 1170-1171. 23 still am view "bright line" approach best preserve values do measure clarity concerned. Had adopted approach, litigation, probability, reached us. Petitioner my test, entitled proceeding. Since attorney, enhancement. 24 per curiam judgment. 25 POWELL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE REHNQUIST dissenting. Last Term claim requires regardless jail. explicitly jailed. 27 1975, without theft. Although fined. circumstances were precisely those valid. 28 presented decided Scott. concerns Petitioner, who concedes jail He challenges addition sentence, based recidivist. holds that, though valid, cannot rely following undermines leaves coherent place. now relied predicate enhancing 29 logically indefensible. More seriously, try daily guidance Court. No can predict confidence likely option misdemeanant, preserved exists willing prospectively preclude future dissent both believe dictates contrary result, Nation are entitled, minimum, question. 30 * "actual [is] validity argues, nevertheless, included element Consequently, continues, violates lead retained available defendant. BLACKMUN applies own question, four Members contentions. ante, p. 224 (STEWART, concurring); (MARSHALL, concurring). 31 misapprehends nature statutes. These laws, commonplace justice system, alter enlarge sentence. If, chooses commit crime, thereby subject prescribed crime. consistently sustained laws penalizing last committed E. g., Moore Missouri, 159 673, 677, 179, 181, 40 301 (1895); Oyler Boles, 368 448, 451, 82 501, 503, (1962). law petty solely Moreover, ignores significance questions neither factual accuracy nor legality order accept argument, special class Those judgments their penalties long receives these convictions 33 By creating new hybrid, departs position took established cases. Following invalid—and void—it put other uses court. Burgett Texas, 389 109, 115, 258, 262, 319 (1967), later enhance Loper Beto, 405 473, 483, 1014, 1019, 374 barred impeachment Tucker, 404 443, 589, 592 judge consider felony. 34 Misdemeanor convictions, differently. "end liberty." fully Term, ruled bar imprisoned.1 35 Logically, just Burgett, makes effort defend ruling logic, policy ground sentence.2 Instead, what statement equals while fifth Member adheres assertion months more. Ante, 229 (BLACKMUN, concurring).3 II 36 analytically unsound, also will create confusion local greater burdens governments. pointed out least issue here, repeat misdemeanants. 308, n. 1, 462, (1977). Most codes similar provisions. See, e. Note, Ohio St.L.J. 168, 182, 72 (1974) (citing statutes). And Solicitor General, urging affirmance hamper enforcement federal statutes effect.4 Providing defendants enhanceable misdemeanors exacerbate delays plague many unnecessary costs communities default possibility sentences conduct persists. frustration policies deterring recidivism penalties. 37 addition, predicted, today's incite litigation claiming impeach defendant's testimony, judges determinations. pronouncement, there way outcome claim. 38 clear, regrettably, frustrated effective day. affirm faithfully followed noteworthy brief filed anticipated case: "When prosecuting prosecutor knows requesting defendant, precluded offenses. degree charging involves great deal prosecutorial discretion selection, pursue limited use comes within scope discretion." Brief Respondent O.T.1978, 77-1177, (emphasis added). 375, 1163, 383. some period prevent objecting unsupported assertion, 233-234, 2, thought squarely Douglas' need assure reliability convictions: "We means legal leads complex sent off more." 33, 2010. JUSTICE concurred stating: issues dealt often simpler yet beyond capability layman. There little ground, assume unaided counsel, able adequately himself lesser charges involve confinement charges." 41, POWELL observed: "Many fairly assisted Even relatively cases, ignorance handicap, incapable defending themselves." 47, 2017-2018 (opinion result). fact, recognized, "[T]he volume obsession speedy dispositions, fairness result. 'The characterized insufficient frequently irresponsible preparation part defense, Everything rush, rush.' prejudice results 'assembly-line justice.' 34-36, 2011-2012 (footnote citations omitted). jury, entirely possible jurors scrupulous about applying reasonable-doubt standard "only misdemeanor." expresses concern unacceptable economic 235. share view. Not indigent. 385, 1168, (1979) (BRENNAN, Where indigent, seek authorized, required. id., 386-387, 18, 1168-1169, 18. Further, enhancement, Thus number decide ability fraction total. remaining misconduct likely, enough warrant easy exercise discretion. effect miniscule compared supra. whatever cost be, outweigh command Despite reservations, joined consistent 44, 2015 result), "provide[d] hundreds across country confront problem daily." 374, 1163 MARSHALL mentions issue, 227-228, urges Compared judgment, most far reliable. separate certain involving 47-50, 2017-2019. denied, majority complicated facts dispute. judge. fundamental answer argument. Here, conceded thus presumed Today's puzzling recent Lewis States, 445 915, 63 198 (1980). sanctions possession firearm felon. dissented statutory grounds Lewis, opinion's conflicts decision. Unlike misdemeanors, invalid. (1963). Yet imposes uncounseled—and void—felony record, procedure void 'support guilt punishment.' 67, (1967). refuses conflict between holdings scarcely violent. Amicus Curiae citing U.S.C. 1325 (illegal entry alien); 1263 (shipment misbranded banned hazardous substances).

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