Document: 339 U.S. 200 70 S.Ct. 587 94 L.Ed. 761 DARRv.BURFORD, Warden, Oklahoma State Penitentiary. No. 51. Submitted Dec. 5, 1949. Decided April 3, 1950. Mr. John B. Ogden, of City, Okl., for petitioner. Mac Q. Williamson and Sam H. Lattimore, respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner Darr, an inmate state penitentiary, has been denied federal habeas corpus failure to exhaust his other available remedies. Petitioner's omission apply here certiorari from court's denial was held error, fatal consideration on merits. Therefore merits petitioner's claims imprisonment in violation Constitution are not before us. The petition requires us pass solely upon correctness lower view that ordinarily a must be made this Court refusal collateral relief district court will consider application its 2 serving term penitentiary when, November 28, 1930, he summoned appear another county plead two separate charges armed bank robbery. In January 1931, tried by jury, convicted first charge; petitioner then pleaded guilty second. He sentenced terms forty years each, run consecutively, sentence is now being served. No appeal conviction taken, but 1947 applied Criminal Appeals corpus. Judging only opinion,1 original included record us, alleged had without funds employ counsel, aid counsel own choosing, provided sufficient time procure prepare witnesses defense. These allegations were reviewed writ here. 3 filed United States District Eastern at bar. those passed Appeals, with addition claim plea second robbery charge coerced. After hearing testimony open court, Judge examined into sufficiently assure himself no extraordinary circumstances existed justify inquiry exhaustion all remedies.2 concluded discharged as since coerced underlying could properly considered, first, because raised point proceeding, further presently detained under sentence. adjudication given.3 Tenth Circuit affirmed, one judge dissenting proposition requisite step remedy.4 4 It argued courts below law incorrectly insofar concerned. long settled which have tribunal;5 any event, it unquestioned doctrine served subject attack.6 Further, neither based conclusion initial conviction, issue There problem jurisdiction or power applications Nor there effect future prisoner. remedy, however, vital concern who would seek protection Great Writ, case prisoners crucial relationship between sovereignties exercise their coordinate over Doubt respecting should go unresolved. We therefore granted certiorari. 337 923, 69 1169. 5 commands general recognition essential remedy safeguard citizen against Nation constitutional rights.7 To make effective unlettered friends funds, disregarded legalistic requirements examining judged papers simple statutory test whether facts entitle applicant relief.8 6 This favorable attitude toward procedural difficulties accords salutary purpose Congress extending 1867 scope beyond examination commitment prisoner "very truth substance causes detention."9 Through extension boundaries corpus, persons restrained rights may regain freedom. But statute examine unconstitutional restraint created area potential conflict courts. As unseemly our dual system government upset opportunity correct violation, sought means avoid such collisions. Solution found comity courts, teaches defer action within until sovereignty concurrent powers, already cognizant litigation, matter.10 7 Since discretionary writ, authority refuse matter remedies exhausted. comity, developed steadily cases refusing trial direction shall grant Ex parte Royall,11 decided 1886, release rights, approved discretion. presumed 'the decision otherwise than required fundamental land, disregard principles announced * *.'12 Analogy earlier where attach property overlap. Apropos words Covell v. Heyman:13 8 'The forbearance jurisdiction, administered single system, towards each other, whereby conflicts avoided, avoiding interference process principle perhaps higher sanction utility comes concord; States, something more. right law, necessity.' 9 same advanced next stage, Fonda,14 after prosecuted appellate tribunal. Stressing importance noninterference orderly processes review, if erred prejudice assumed suffer error uncorrected.15 10 established meet variations presented cases. By 1891, clear circuit committed ground come error;16 great body affirmed holding 'put error'.17 Baker Grice18 states reason rule final determination even generally leave 11 '* exceedingly delicate given person indictment laws, may, taken out custody officers state, finally therefrom, thus laws prevented.' 12 And added, Markuson Boucher,19 explicit why extend well tribunals. 13 more delicate, stronger, when invoked reverse highest claimed *.' 14 1913, though appealed comment required.20 following heels 'suit' yielding reviewable judgment,21 came leading Mooney Holohan,22 clearly establishing attacks tribunals exhausted direct conviction.23 1944 unanimous per curiam Hawk stated fully most frequently quoted form.24 15 'Ordinarily judgment crime entertained available, including certiorari, exhausted.' repeatedly approved,25 White Ragen, again unanimously restated clearest language.26 16 'Where had, considers adjudicates remedies, so permit filing Court, unless question involved decision.' 17 Thus constrained Writ still open, brought forth related allow courts' attack. 18 Wade Mayo alone,27 less four later does language construed departure rule. allowed hear Wade's grave doubt constituted question. said, 334 page 682, 68 1275: 19 'That reasonably certain theory adequate appeared underlie judgment. His futile attempt secure accordingly subsequent Court.' 20 pointed supra, expressly reiterating doctrine, 'decision some non-federal ground, unnecessary ask order we lack review court'.28 21 Not limiting discussion exception, also treated necessity seeking court. thought behind evidently usually condition did recognize might relevant determining entertain application. On 680 U.S., 1274 S.Ct., 92 1647 said: 22 'After procedure exhausted, appropriate forum pursue claim. choice lies applying directly instituting proceeding Considerations prompt often dictate neglected petition.' 23 do stop reexamine meaning specific language. Whatever deviation imply corrected decision. 24 prescribes what 'ordinarily' proper procedure; cited Royall much cannot foreseen, 'special circumstances' rules designed regulate usual case. exceptions few they exist.29 Other situations develop. Compare Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 43 265, 67 543. allowance these, leaving free exist 'circumstances rendering (state) ineffective protect prisoner.' 28 U.S.C. § 2254, U.S.C.A. 2254. 25 2254 1948 recodification Judicial Code gave legislative Court.30 done embodying new rulings drawn precedents.31 definitively Hawk. That represented effort way petitions prisoners. caused distributed followed.32 desirable existing precedents Hawk, reviser's notes inform 26 'This section declaratory Supreme See 1944, 64 448, 321 114, 88 572.'33 27 While refer requirement read light statement 207, 592, So read, occasion draftsmen reference nor committees House Senate members it. immaterial terminology said declining part judicial procedure. use words. remedy. undoubtedly unconstitutionally liberty redress. considered steps sense used, inexactly, field corpus.34 Consideration history reveals suggestion intended alter defined differentiate All evidence manifests enact statute. notes, explicitly stating purpose, remained unchanged throughout bill's progress.35 contained paragraph down 'or.'36 None changes additions affected They directed issues.37 seems sure drafted enacted expecting conformity Nothing indicates desire modify think obtain accepted sound guide 29 insistence voiced dissent determine accord applies apparently arise refusal, effectiveness voluntary issue.38 Whether imports not, persists requiring 30 controversy 'would serve merits.' authorities agree res judicata kept guard injustice through error.39 Even declined denying relief, act prisoner.40 application, require showing prior applications, decline petitioner.41 avoided abuse repeated attempts frivolous grounds, adjudications issues powers. 31 attention statements former opinions corpus.42 Records raise many different issues. procedure, questions fact regarding violations problems difficult frequent practice dismiss opinion. If doubts concerning basis judgments, handled Burke Georgia, 338 941, 422, express proceed feels occurred, see Such freedom protects trivializing it.43 32 mean nothing, result force 'meaningless step.' agree. Though carry weight nevertheless derives basic republic federation, union States. detailed evolution responsibility intervene criminal matters rests primarily judgments local administration. afforded. overturn administration limited alone give perform duty passing rights. evolved assures prisoner's protest detention allowing destructive precious guaranty Writ. specifically required. 33 answer argument state's involves distribution sole calls asked matters. affirmative. form government. major maintenance borders, dignity role guardians justice acts prisoner, routine, Court's demands reversal condemned constitutionally inadequate From springs 34 requirement, think, always rule, change necessary reiteration can, course, shifting burden work among courts.44 heretofore him.45 Further contributes expeditious raises immediately, compilation record. while merit reasonable certainty, err side unreasonable rigidity. Flexibility left take care demand action. Solicitous man prompt, methods redress ends modern can best achieved ordinary 35 present allegedly obtained Constitution. refusal. Instead, alleging reliance excuse failure, Limiting instance accustomed peculiar urgency. A public verdict places accused allege prove primary facts, inferences, show, notwithstanding strong presumption regularity proceedings, prosecution departed intervention accused.46 urgency exist. proved show exceptional intervention. obviously careful consideration.47 violated here, refused 36 Affirmed. 37 DOUGLAS took 38 BURTON, whom CLARK joins, concurs except indication contain that, although reasons stated, inferred believes nature note source possible 39 FRANKFURTER, BLACK dissenting.* 40 concerns Courts behalf generality instances prerequisite resort Courts. serious affecting relations My brief withhold every vindication elusive judges familiar afford Therefore, barred simply hold legal significance or, alternative, remains bearing cases, motion securing command gesture meaningless him burdensome dark consistent fair justice. 41 1. course decisions smooth. reason. seemingly technical relation Under 'is very occupied thoughts statesmen hundred Memorandum Holmes, August 20, 1927, stay pending Sacco-Vanzetti Case 5516. 42 Prior Civil War, barring exceptions, custody. Act February 1867, extended writs 'all constitution, treaty Stat. 385. touches 'very matter' sensitive point. opened wide door conflict. become intensified during last twenty increasing subjection convictions expanded concept due process. See, e.g., Powell Alabama, 287 45, 53 55, 77 158, 84 A.L.R. 527, Holohan, 294 103, 55 340, 79 791, 98 406. ought too surprising, therefore, full implications restrictions range State's unfold. 2. Decisions control like sand. Quick fluctuations them proven itself mischievous practice. real Mayo, 672, 1270, 1647, overruled. overruling forthrightly saying overruled' euphemistically fifteen hardly fact. Respect recently rendered fullest consideration, soundness decision, lead adhere Mayo. 44 3. attaches particularly naturally enough attending Apart intrinsic justification grounds policy, I shortly advert, product deliberative weightiest. submission October, 1947, restored docket November, resubmitted March 9, 1948, received thorough reconsideration incubation June 14, 1948. unusual phrased opinion: 'whether who, having secured ruling claim, failed Court'. pages 674 675, 1272. 45 framed bring Florida affect Or, rephrase problem, purposes well-recognized remedies?' 686, 1277, 1647. 46 rephrased precision decisive inquiry. Relief corrective vindicate unavailable. ever Royall, 117 241, 734, 868. 'state remedies' include premature question—whether deemed remedies'—had never canvassed uncritical assertions about moment deal them. critically analyzed became determinative 47 4. determined dissent. 'that corpus.' 689, 1279. analysis led contrary result. acknowledging rejected notion 48 5. Now likewise rejects Mayo—that retains premise. complete reflecting narrow going petitions. Likewise practical considerations relating business, inherent ascertaining threshold 49 6. Of right. decide him. sustained sue inapplicable. case, Justice, Senior Judge, thereafter Judge. 5532, 5533, 5534. sure, denials considerable disposing merely 'abusive use' 'its recognized status privileged freedom'. Salinger Loisel, 265 224, 232, 519, 522, 989. 50 Our exhausting invoking An necessarily turns Reed's makes Delphic disposition issue, inevitably create confusion judges. surely clarity promote suggest explicit. pronouncement, how dispose here? invites threatens doing. 51 uncertainty conflicting interpretations undisclosed meaning. Some infer bears jurisdiction. Others feel old avowals told contrary. Most confusing all, judges, unlikely resolve ambiguity decisively. equivocal position relying aspect either lawyers dubious pressing appeal, appealed, blend likely overturned natural unentangled commend according normal criteria Adjudication greatly delayed. attain unwilling candid adjudication. 52 is, functions stimulate conflicts. Especially regard ambiguity. liberty' playing game. When Opinions reasoning justifies manifest. disclosure reached remotely dictum. implies Surely making requirement. 7. longer discussion. whatever nothing else. undisturbed reinforcement views expressed. Counsel bar stopped drawing comfort indicated impatience thing desirable, respective reasons, Judiciary 1925 vastly expression times'. Carver, 260 482, 490, 181, 182, 361. sounded repeatedly. 54 wholly negative whole conception business radically transformed. revolutionary justifiably large group drastic revision treatment far-reaching consequences discharge. functioning understanding occasioned variety precludes implication Petitions because, raised, seemed least six ripe moribund adjudication; better await perspective soon bury another, wait see; entangled nonconstitutional effectively isolated; various Divergent contradictory operate common vote denial. want explanations collective given. attached offer darkness Ariadne's thread. Particularly true unambiguous emerge 56 transform mechanism keeping bringing in. contradict adoption reject petitions, both profession. For import During fiscal country annually 500 600 petitioners overrule anything number these throw almost impossible Court.1 57 8. certainly carries class Meaningless multiplication virtue respectful disagree disagreement rather before. 58 suggested, claim—what colloquially called 'first-crack' policy. weighty volume increased, greater filed, pressure granting freely. policy validity, resolved favor 59 Moreover, involving attack pleadings. abstract pleading. Courts, hand, hearings appropriate, substantial turn unmeritorious claims. Thus, impact federal-State relationships reversals decisions, able pleadings, looking paper 60 9. against, for, invoked. involve answered reached. kinds: (1) Did adverse remedies? (2) May rest ground? 61 stands prominently experience controlling coram nobis, nobis Although felt wrote clearly, unison; way, another. People New York ex rel. Whitman Wilson, 318 688, 63 840, 87 1083; Morhous York, 293 N.Y. 131, N.E.2d 79; Sadness, 300 69, 89 188. 62 illustrated litigation stage Monday. Nebraska, 612. At date, Nebraska Olson, 145 Neb. 306, N.W.2d 181. reversed merits, acting assumption disregarded, 326 271, 66 116, 90 61, despite 449, 572, attempted. remand, advised misconceived misunderstood procedure—that hand road Nebraska. 146 875, 136. try F.Supp. 195, sub nom. Jones, Cir., 160 F.2d 807. showed knowledge asserted heard State, 151 717, 561. illustrates harmonious systems subordinate other. shows waste friction bound promoted initially. dealing treacherous materials special competence look examines dead letter print. up got books. Diaz Gonzalez, 102, 106, 286, 287, 550. surefooted manner dealt fell. situation representative encountered available. peculiarly wisdom, practices submitted knowledgeable localities. Gardner Jersey, 329 565, 583, 467, 476, 91 504, cited. respects preclude acted. admirable illustration raising validity 'without prejudice' proceedings carried significance.2 demonstrates preliminary involved. Instead initially proposed Georgia enveloped fog lift thick pierce. submit, conducive conduct inescapable advance self-esteem 65 10. need concerned lest lightly inject themselves prison doors. Experience completely dispels excogitated fears. presided citizens loyalties Judges proof pudding eating. overwhelming sparingly Due Proess Clause.3 sitting 'comes outside,' Holmes Frank Mangum, 237 309, 345, 346, 582, 594, 595, 969; suggested appearance, apart, denied, unanalyzed appearance 11. expressed adherence function played combine erroneous exercising 'State available' appears 117, 450, 572. repeated, 324 760, 764, 978, 980, 1348. actually perfectly misconception crept everything subject: Tinsley Anderson, 171 101, 104—105, 805, 807, 91; Urquhart Brown, 205 179, 459, 760; Kennedy Tyler, 269 13, 1, 138; 115, 406; Abernathy, 320 219, 3.' 116—117, essence Two citations—Mooney Holohan Abernathy—have relevance. three citations—Tinsley Anderson; Brown; Tyler—are particularization main illustrate series availed 'to court.' 105, 91. course. difference world knocks invoke grace access intermediate latter place mandatory appeal. Boucher, 175 184, 76, 124. jurisdictional drastically changed September 6, 1916, 726, 1925, 936. purport transforming legislation flood shift grace, litigant forwent gone. Only opportunity—and slim one—remained. misconceives adjudicate totally factors Until assimilating doctrine. context cases—their possibly be—all urge 71 stare decisis applicable petitioning evoking translated far records disclose. What Court—that file 262 Code, 1651, denied. revealed acted includes displaced inclusion 'doctrine remedies'. Young 235, 238, 1073, 1074. 72 12. provision provisions say Reviser's notes. Section Title formulates 868—the remedies: 'An pursuant *. 73 section, raise, presented.' 'available State' With abandonment goes State. Congress, Reviser characterized 'declaratory Court,' adding 'See Hawk.' 'exhaustion slip equivalent enactment Congress. persuasive finding reenactment Girouard 328 826, 1084. 74 13. short, today alternative which, respectfully justified. entertaining unlike classes thereby carrying denial, type significance. 75 alternative—that merits—would treat cast direst addition, dress would, purposes, Constitution, judicially nullify retained. i.e., announce indispensable 76 Phillips remanded JACKSON, unsatisfactory courses joins Okl.Cr. 352, 182 P.2d 523. 553, 556. 553. 172 668. Davis Burke, 179 399, 210, 249. McNally Hill, 24, 238. 274, 118, 61. Holiday Johnston, 313 342, 350, 550, 1015, 1017, 85 1392; Price 266, 291 292, 1049, 1062, 1063, 1356; 2242, restating R.S. 754. 274—275, motes 4, 118. Comity discretion antecedent early restraining injunctive 2283, 334, 5; Bowles Willingham, 503, 641, 892. Cf. three-judge provisions, §§ 2281, 2284, 2284. 252, 740, 868; Cook Hart, 183, 40, 934. 111 176, 355, 358, 390. 516, 848, 994. re Duncan, 139 454, 573, 574, 219. Wood, 140 278, 738, 742, 505. Jugiro, 291, 770, 510; Frederich, 149 70, 77—78, 793, 795, 796, 653; Eno, 155 89, 98, 30, 33, 80; Pepke Cronan, 100, 34, 84; Whitten Tomlinson, 231, 242, 297, 301, 104 Minnesota Brundage, 180 499, 455, 457, 639; Reid 187 153, 116; 181—182, 460, erl. 17, 2, 138. 169 284, 323, 326, 748. 187, 77, Spencer, 228 652, 660—661, 709, 711, 1010. Bryant Zimmerman, 278 63, 64, 785. confirmed times. Botwinski, 314 586, 86 473; Davis, 317 26, 486; Williams, 604, 431, 491; 3; Note 25, infra. 767, 982, 1348; 42, 46, 48, 517, 520, 521, 739; Marino 332 561, 564, 240, 170; 679, 1274, 1647; 981, 765, Illinois controversies. 766—767, 982. 251, reads: absence existence Hearings Subcommittee Committee H.R.3214, 7, 80th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 28. U.S.C.Congressional Service, XXVIII; H.R.Rep.No. 308 1st Lyon Harkness, 731, 733; Monsky Warden Clinton Prison, 163 980; Stonebreaker Smyth, 498, 501, 502; Nusser Aderhold, 164 127; Makowski Benson, 158 158; Ross Nierstheimer, 159 994; Guy Utecht, 144 913, 915; Gordon Scudder, 518; Herzog Colpoys, U.S.App.D.C. 81, 143 137, S.Rep.No. 1559, 308, 180. Subsequent J. Parker, Chairman Conference Judges, Habeas Corpus, instructive. mind drafting provide whose historical basis, breed dangerous One incidents (the) him, and, attack, land review. remains, have, *' Abuse F.R.D. 171, 176—177. days code, late consideration. 180, supra. H.R. 3214, Union Calendar #140, Sess. 3214 Senate, particular states. definition Judges. 80 Report Conference, Session 17. permitted 'there in' informs amendment substitute phrase 'no available.' precise, should, spelled detail amendment.' Bowen, L.J., Cooke River Co., Ch.D. 56, 70—71: my Brothers sit me, am extremely reluctant believe gravity points decide, obiter dicta, proverbial chickens destiny, home roost sooner uncomfortable uttered them, embarrassment cases.' Cohens Commonwealth Virginia, Wheat. 264, 399—400, 257; Wright 302 593—594, 395, 82 439. 230, 989, 572; 764—765, Dorsey Gill, 148 857. 32, 681, 1275, Cuddy, 131 280, 703, 154; Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 468, 1019, 1024, 1461, 357; Walker 312 275, 579, 830; 279, 120, Jackson joined 607. Learned Hand eliciting logical giving conclusive Schechtman Foster, 339, 342—343. requirement—but logic unreality. flies face actualities entering necessitated hitherto avenues bear prejudice. Administrative Office compiled statistics: Fiscal Years 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 disposed Courts........... 503. 481. 487 610 Cases successful........ 14. Percentage successful. 2.8%. 2.7% 2.3% 1.6% Speck, Statistics Federal Ohio L. 337, 357 (1949).

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