Document: 364 U.S. 587 81 S.Ct. 321 5 L.Ed.2d 312 Lawrence CALLANAN, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 47. Argued Nov. 15, 16, 1960. Decided Jan. 9, 1961. Rehearing Denied Feb. 20, See 365 825, 687. Mr. Morris A. Shenker, St. Louis, Mo., and Sidney M. Glazer, Berkeley, for petitioner. Theodore G. Gilinsky, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner was convicted by a jury in United States District Court Eastern Missouri on two counts. Count I charged conspiracy to obstruct commerce extorting money, II substantive offense obstructing extortion, both crimes made punishable Hobbs Anti-Racketeering Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951, U.S.C.A. 1951.1 sentenced consecutive terms twelve years each count, but sentence suspended replaced with five-year probation commence at expiration his under I.2 On appeal, conviction affirmed, 223 F.2d 171. 2 thereafter sought correction sentence, invoking Rule 35 Federal Rules Criminal Procedure, U.S.C.A., as well 28 2255, 2255.3 He claimed that maximum penalty interstate Act any means is twenty Congress did not intend subject individuals penalties. The denied relief, holding gave no indication departure from usual rule crime which its object may be cumulatively punished. 173 F.Supp. 98. Appeals Eighth Circuit affirmed this judgment, 274 601. Deeming question raised petitioner sufficient importance, we brought case here. 362 939, 80 807, 4 769. 3 Under early common law, conspiracy—which constituted misdemeanor—was said merge completed felony Commonwealth v. Kingsbury, Mass. 106. This rule, however, based upon significant procedural distinctions between misdemeanors felonies. defendant misdemeanor trial entitled counsel copy indictment; these advantages were unavailable felony. King Westbeer, Leach 12, 168 Eng.Rep. 108, 110 (1739); see Clark Marshall, Crimes, 2.03, n. 96 (6th ed). Therefore permitted constituent an indictment When also misdemeanor, People Mather, Wend., N.Y., 229, 265, or when defined statute felony, State Mayberry, 48 Me. 218, 238, merger obtain. As common-law niceties disappeared, concept lost significance, today it has been abandoned. Queen Button, 11 Q.B. 929, 116 720; Pinkerton States, 328 640, 66 1180, 90 L.Ed. 1489. does draw archaic law merger. argues combining one provision, manifested intent punish commission offenses cumulatively. Unlike doctrine, petitioner's position Government could charge even had completed. His concern punitive consequences choice thus open Government; can indict either offense, but, contends, only one. present antecedent 1934.4 In view Court's restrictive decision Local 1942, 315 521, 62 642, 86 1004, Congress, leadership Representative Hobbs, stiffen 1934 legislation. After several unsuccessful attempts over period four years, bill passed 1946 deleted reference wages paid employer employee, 807 relied.5 further invigorated increasing ten years. 6 relies numerous statements members concerning severity twenty-year illustrate cumulative sentences contemplated.6 But legislative history sheds light whatever whether Congressmen discussing potential whole merely defending punishment specific sections. All talk reiterates what itself says—that 7 distinctiveness commit postulate our law. 'If long consistently recognized are separate distinct offenses.' 643, 1182, Pereira 347 1, 11, 74 358, 364, 98 435. Over distinction applied various situations. For example, Clune 159 590, 16 125, 40 269, upheld two-year objection unlawful agreement punished $100 fine. same result reached when, case, described within statute. Carter McClaughry, 183 365, 22 181, 46 236, defraud fraud upheld. 'Cumulative sentences,' pronounced, 'are punishments, single offenses, excess prescribed authorized statute.' page 394, 193. 8 settled principle derives reason things dealing socially reprehensible conduct: collective criminal agreement—partnership crime—presents greater threat public than individual delicts. Concerted action increases likelihood will successfully attained decreases probability involved depart their path criminality. Group association purposes often, if normally, makes possible attainment ends more complex those accomplish. Nor danger conspiratorial group limited particular end toward embarked. Combination likely unrelated original purpose formed. sum, generates confined immediate aim enterprise.7 9 These considerations presuppositions separately 1951. presumably flow them must placed such context. is, after all, body laymen unfamiliar commonplaces legislation formulation Judiciary Committees, all whom lawyers, predominately lawyers' body. We attribute 'to tacit purpose—in absence inconsistent expression—to maintain long-established essentially different; whose practical importance easily overestimated.' Rabinowich, 238 78, 88, 682, 685, 59 1211. 10 reinforced prior interpretation Sherman minor penalties influenced enactment antiracketeering legislation.8 American Tobacco Co. 781, 1125, 1575, corporate defendants convicted, inter alia, monopolize monopolization, 2. They fine $5,000, statutory penalty, convictions basis past decisions field pages 788—789, 1128—1129. To dislodge conventional outlawing disparate conduct, effectuate reversal pronounced would require language contrary. Albrecht 273 47 250, 253, 71 505; Burton 202 344, 377, 26 688, 697, 50 1057. some other provisions 1951 seem overlap justify crimes. From he deduces congressional allows matter how many outlawed have committed. contentions raise problems now That sections repetitive being variants phrasing delict, attempt extort act relevance legal incontestably distinctive object. litigation decided monopolize, merged qualify crime, contained 2, demanded governing precepts 12 invokes lenity case. 'rule,' true guide construction, serves aid resolving ambiguity; used beget one.9 'To rest formula slumber that, prolonged, death.' Holmes Collected Legal Papers, p. 306. comes into operation process construing expressed, beginning overriding consideration lenient wrongdoers. function judiciary. Universal C.I.T. Credit Corp., 344 73 227, 97 260; Bell 349 81, 75 620, 99 905, Ladner 358 169, 79 209, 199, applicable found unclear appropriate unit prosecution; accordingly, utilized, favorem libertatis, resolve ambiguity. Price 352 322, 77 403, 370, Heflin 415, 451, 407, meet problem subsidiary Bank Robbery 2113, entering robbery possessing stolen property, who prosecuted itself. Again served doubt faced 13 Here dubieties cases, before us involve prosecution—whether conduct constitutes violations provision—nor offense. ordinary violating statute, whereby historically composed differing components. If committed acts sentences; seems less clear It therefore discretion judge fix sentences, though seen fit authorize harsh punishment. 14 Affirmed. 15 STEWART, CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS join, dissenting. sure, place treated punishable. often chosen exercise power make two.1 neither generalities provides answer us. here meaning Act. do agree man conspiring extortion. My history, considered principles guided related areas federal 17 relevant section repeated convenience margin,2 model precise verbal structure. Purely syntax, read creating commerce, delaying affecting proscribed means. read, again grammar, robbery, threatening physical violence property connection committing threatened, attempting so, so. Read way imposition totalling hundred basic transaction. construe obviously absurd, understand remotely suggests construction. then, mean something else. think fairly imposing actual threatened interference accomplished Such reading semantics nor sense. fully justified consistent construction ambiguous statutes. means, then wrong impose 19 1934. originally introduced extensive hearings subcommittee Senate Committee Commerce, popularly known Racketeering. contain conspiracy. S. 2248, 73d Cong., 2d Sess. Report consisted memorandum Department Justice, stating permit prosecution so-called 'racketeers' constituting racketeering. Significantly, stated 'The accompanying proposed designed avoid embarrassing limitations wording extend jurisdiction restraints scope Government's constitutional powers. accompanied violence, coercion, intimidation, felonies, form conspiracies not.' (Emphasis added.) S.Rep. 532, Sess., 1. 20 fear expressed might endanger legitimate activities organized labor. response fears revised House Judicary along lines suggested Attorney General, added, without explanation. H.R.Rep. 1833, adoption amendment reducing provision '10 $10,000 both.' 78 Cong.Rec. 11403. Thereafter, approved debate. 11482. 21 1942 statute's labor exemption petitioners there wrongly convicted. Within few weeks decision, eliminate Similar amendatory bills succeeding sessions finally amended deletion exempting 837 based. With aspect concerned. change Act: increased miximum years' imprisonment. debates throw considerable conclusions drawn review discussions increase provision. First, Members seriously concerned prison violation Expressions 'too drastic,' severe,' 'excessive' describing referred Member 'even years.' 89 3162, 3194, 3201, 3229. Secondly, general among proponents opponents imposed 3226. No ever inflicted. 23 which, English language, prohibited evidence stemming very origin restraint accomplished. stated, 'restraints Finally, every agreed conviction, far too severe. 24 said, despite 'tacit purpose' provide punishments told presumption prevail because 'specific contrary' Act.3 indulge me wholly odds firmly established previous decisions. 25 approach taken this. 'When difficulty expressing * *. leaves task imputing undeclared will, ambiguity should resolved favor lenity.' 83, 622. said: 'This policy interpret so places guess intended.' 178, 214. Prince spoke doctrine 'of attributing statutes, intention severely laws clearly imports pertinent history.' 329, 407. recent expressions restatements context ancient strictly construed. Section 1951(a) follows: 'Whoever degree obstructs, delays, affects movement article commodity extortion conspires do, commits threatens person furtherance plan anything shall fined imprisoned parts Amendments 1946, 60 Stat. 420, 1948 codification compiled, 'Sec. Whoever guilty 3. another others, concert others 4. participates 5. 6. violates title shall, thereof, imprisonment $10,000, Reviser's Note Code states words 'attempts do' substituted act, *' released April 1960 currently parole. Both parties courts below apparently interpreted probationary parole I. ruled available since premature claim 'right released' yet served. Since, concedes, correct illegal face direct 418, 422, 453, 455, applicability 2255 need considered. bill, (Of course, R.S. 5440, 371, provided available.) ninety-nine coercion interfered commerce. large-scale racketeering, formerly ineffectively attempted through §§ 7, note, one-year $5,000 Senate, 5735, activity phraseology, 5859, 10867, provisos reporting measure full Committee, suggestion added making designated Ibid. substantially reported except decreased $10,000. summarily Senate. A little months H.R. 7067 Representatives, 88 4080, following Hearings Subcommittee Judiciary, 77th favorably out committee, major reduction provisions, report stated: objective Title prevent anyone obstructing, delaying, bill. likewise *.' 2176, 9. year, 653 identical time amend penalty. 66, 78th 1st House, 3230, 1945 amendment. 32, 79th bodies, 91 11922, 92 7308. reports 'A punishable.' 1516, Sess.; amendment, set note supra. Typical excerpts are: 'Mr. Delaney. fact committee unanimous. Also, imdicated drastic, jail drastic. modified consonance present-day thinking.' (89 3162.) Fish. want refer excessive my severe—20 reach careful given extent fines.' Cong. Rec. 3194.) Springer. May ask distinguished colleague left entirely discretionary court trying case? penalized year up court. Celler. Or suspended. gentleman. wny years?' 3201.) Robsion. There gone forth country statement. range hour according fines $1 words, maximum.' 3226.) seemed excessive. Twenty just about bad life give opportunity reduce cutting half. applies threats. sent extortion.' 3229.) discussion Developments Law—Criminal Conspiracy, 72 Harv.L.Rev. 920, 922—925, 968—971. setting received Department: '* nearest racketeers Antitrust primarily capitalistic combinations monopolies, engrafted interpretations courts, suited persons Moreover, plus fine, intimidation commerce.' Celler, arguing severe during debates, you look antitrust against employers find they jail. relation laws, Clayton (15 et seq.)' 11902. Celler's remarks 1943 3201. ambiquity 622, 905. most notable illustration General Conspiracy Statute, 371. 1951(a), 1951(a). reliance misplaced. multiple contention not, double jeopardy Fifth Amendment, decide dubious issue. Cf.

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