Document: 460 U.S. 660 103 S.Ct. 1412 75 L.Ed.2d 359 Melvin E. TUTEN, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 81-6756. Argued March 1, 1983. Decided 30, Syllabus In 1971, petitioner, who was then 19 years old, pleaded guilty to the charge of carrying a pistol without license in violation provision District Columbia Code and placed on probation for two under § 5010(a) Youth Corrections Act (YCA). At end 2-year probationary period, he unconditionally discharged from YCA program. 1980, petitioner again convicted same Code, sentenced imprisonment as felon, rather than misdemeanant, recidivist Code. The Court Appeals affirmed, rejecting petitioner's contention that his earlier conviction could not properly provide basis being because, following successful completion term, had been expunged 5021(b) YCA, which provides where youth offender has probation, court may thereafter, its discretion, "unconditionally discharge such prior expiration maximum period theretofor fixed by court, shall automatically set aside conviction." Held: Under interpretation plainly suggested language, is where, here, exercised discretion him "prior court." This limitation fully consistent with YCA's rehabilitation purposes well Congress' intent employ set-aside an incentive positive behavior youths YCA. Accordingly, trial free take previous into account imposing sentence Pp. 663-668. 440 A.2d 1008, affirmed. Linda Gillespie Stuntz, petitioner. Barbara Etkind, Philadelphia, Pa., respondent. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 case presents question whether upon Federal 1950, 18 U.S.C. 5005 et seq., after served full term probation. 2 * 1971 Tuten, D.C.Code 22-3204.1 He 1950 ("YCA"), 66 Stat. 45, seq. two-year 3 1980 tried D.C.Code. prosecutor urged made subject enhanced penalty provided 22-3204 one previously "has this section." judge agreed and, based conviction, felon misdemeanant. imposed six years' imprisonment. 4 On appeal Appeals, contended because 5021(b), term. rejected assertion affirmed sentence. 1008 (1982). It relied primarily "ordinary meaning" language 5021. A.2d, at 1013. Section 5021 provides: 5 "(a) Upon unconditional Commission committed before him, be issue certificate effect. 6 "(b) Where theretofore effect." 7 concluded automatic subsection (b) applies only receives period. also stated "the legislative history contains no persuasive reasons" depart ordinary meaning statutory noted law public policy support plain statute." 1013.2 We granted certiorari, --- ----, 206, 74 165 (1982), we now affirm. II 8 decisions described analyzed considerable detail course deciding particular issues arising Act. See Ralston v. Robinson, 454 201, 102 233, 70 345 (1981); Durst United States, 434 542, 98 849, 55 14 (1978); Dorszynski 418 424, 94 3042, 41 855 (1974). generally persons 22 age time their conviction3 are federal courts or Columbia.4 "[T]he principal purpose rehabilitate who, youth, unusually vulnerable danger recidivism." U.S., S.Ct., 237. To achieve purpose, gives number alternatives sentencing offenders. First, commit custody Attorney General institutional treatment supervision §§ 5010(b) (c). affords broad range providing treatment, includes educational vocational training psychiatric counseling. 5006(g), 5011, 5013. Dorszynski, supra, 434, 3048.5 Second, if finds, it did case, does need custody, place officer supervisory agent. 5010(a). Finally, finds defendant will benefit rehabilitative any provisions applicable adult 5010(d). 9 As 548, 852, "a particularly valuable prospect obtaining setting conviction" adopting promote offenders substantial while serving YCA.6 Congress recognized criminal often carries numerous civil social disabilities. For example, result loss rights vote, hold office, serve jury, practice various occupations professions.7 make increased penalties subsequent convictions. Like state expungement statutes,8 enables eligible reenter society conduct life disabilities accompany conviction. 429, n. 6, 3046, 6.9 10 Until 1961, 5010(c) imposed.10 like initially confinement. amended 1961 add Pub.L. 87-336, 750, order correct inconsistency H.R.Rep. 433, 87th Cong., 1st Sess. (1961); S.Rep. 1048, (1961). afforded opportunity have convictions similar 11 asked decide when requires Petitioner maintains successfully completes sentenced, must 5021(b). below noted, however, contrary statute itself, "discharge discharge[s] [the] clear import Durst. "[Section ] extend[s] [setting conviction] discharges imposed." 852 (emphasis added.) 435, 3049. Statements amendment echo limiting original terms expire.11 12 statute, court," years. might significantly weaker were regardless offender, during convinced Although would reasonable available incident, certainly compelled Moreover, remedial frustrated possibility inadvertently fail grant early discharge.12 A believes court's failure oversight may, move exercise nunc pro tunc States Fryer, 545 F.2d 11, 13, (CA6 1976).13 13 short, history, all point single conclusion: completion, therefore Columbia's penal statute. judgment Affirmed. "No person within carry either openly concealed person, except dwelling house business other land possessed pistol, therefor issued hereinafter provided, deadly dangerous weapon capable so concealed. Whoever violates section punished 22-3215 [by fine more $1,000, year, both], unless occurs felony, another jurisdiction, ten years." Two expressed view. Arrington, 618 1119, 1124 (CA5 1980), cert. denied, 449 1086, 101 876, 812 Sinkfield, 484 F.Supp. 595, 598 (ND Ga.1980). Cf. Villar, 416 887, 889 (SDNY 1976). 5006(e). 433 9, 3048 (1974), some circumstances certain between ages 26. 4216. ordinarily apply 18, Juvenile Delinquency Act, 5031 multiple Columbia. Ann. 22-3202(d)(1). 5024. 2979, 81st 2d (1950), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News p. 3983; Ward, 337 185, 193 (DDC 1971). Narcotic Addicts Rehabilitation 1966, 80 1442, 4251(c). See, e.g., Hearings S. 1114 2609 Before Subcomm. Senate Comm. Judiciary, (testimony Judge Laws). reaffirmed goal extended infra, 665-666. Senator Dodd, sponsored amendment, explained "provides additional maintaining good holding out record." 107 Cong.Rec. 8709 Symposium—The Collateral Consequences Criminal Conviction, 23 Vand.L.Rev. 929 (1970); Rubin, H. Weihofen, G. Edwards Rosenzweig, Law Correction 611-632 (1963); Tappan, Loss Restoration Civil Rights Offenders, National Probation Parole Association, Crime Prevention Through Treatment 86-104 (1952). Cal.Penal 1203.45 (West Supp.1977); Kan.Stat. 21-4616 (Supp.1977); Minn.Stat.Ann. 242.31 Supp.1977). Hearings, Laws) ("Committed earn final records cleared restored."); id., 117 (1950) (letter Wyche) ("I believe boy makes mistake should permanently forgiven indicates changed behavior. One blot record cause great harm position later years."). Board Parole, 1962 Annual Report 30 ("It intention authors would, fact, expunge conviction."). Of course, legislation impose even whose expunged. Dickerson New Banner Institute, Inc., 986, ---- (1983). Generally, considered 5017 there probability remain further violations. 30. Sess 2-3 (1961), 3050. suggestion contained statement introduced bill amend ultimately enacted 750. 665. Describing existed addition (b), stated: "Under title aside. No exists released His remains until expires. law, stands now, discriminates against charged lesser offense." (1961) added). remark implies adoption expired. There nothing however. Nor past practices agencies justify understanding. Indeed, expires flatly contradicted Dodd's observation "hold[s] record," ibid. added), statements report submitted Dodd few months later. unwilling assume isolated spoken floor Prior offender's required file evaluating probationer's progress reminding Administrative Office Courts, [1978] Guide Judiciary Policies Procedures: Manual 5011. Such procedures ensure aware duty granting warranted light ends subsequently procedure can reduction second court. Fed.R.Crim.P. 35; D.C.Super.Ct.Crim.R. 35(a).

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