Legal Document

507 U.S. 87 113 S.Ct. 1111 122 L.Ed.2d 445 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.Sharon DUNNIGAN. No. 91-1300. Argued Dec. 2, 1992. Decided Feb. 23, 1993. Syllabus* At respondent's federal trial for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, the Government's case-in-chief consisted of five witnesses who took part in, or observed, her cocaine trafficking. As sole witness in own defense, respondent denied witnesses' inculpatory statements and claimed she had never possessed distributed cocaine. In rebuttal, Government called an additional recalled one its earlier witnesses, both whom testified that sold crack them. Respondent was convicted sentenced pursuant United States Sentencing Guidelines. Finding committed perjury, District Court enhanced sentence, which is required under § 3C1.1 Guidelines when a "defendant willfully impeded obstructed, attempted impede obstruct administration justice during investigation prosecution instant offense." reversing Appeals found enhancement based on defendant's alleged perjury would be unconstitutional. It also distinguished precedent v. Grayson, 438 41, 98 2610, 57 582—in this upheld sentence increase stemming from accused's false testimony at trial—on grounds 3C1.1's goal punishment obstruction rather than rehabilitation, that, contravention admonition applied wooden reflex fashion enhance sentences all defendants whose deemed false. Held: Upon proper determination accused has trial, court may 3C1.1. Pp. ---- - ----. (a) The parties agree, commentary explicit, phrase "impede justice" includes perjury. Perjury testifying oath affirmation gives concerning material matter with willful intent provide testimony. Because defendant can testify convicted, yet not have perjury—for example, give inaccurate as result confusion, mistake, faulty memory truthful jury finds insufficient excuse criminal liability prove lack intent—not every qualifies enhancement. If objects such resulting testimony, district must review evidence make independent findings necessary establish While should address each element clear distinct finding, decision sufficient where, here, it makes impediment encompasses factual predicates finding. (b) An presentation does undermine right testify. concern will course whenever takes stand guilty dispelled by requirement support elements violation specific case. Any risk court's incorrect inherent system insists value oath. A more mere surrogate separate subsequent prosecution. furthers legitimate sentencing goals relating principal crime, including retribution incapacitation. serve justification but rehabilitation only permissible increasing Finally, far automatic—when contested, specificity—and fact stems congressional mandate discretionary judgment cannot invalidation. 944 F.2d 178 (CA4 1991), reversed. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Washington, DC, petitioner. Brent E. Beveridge, Fairmont, WV, appointed Court, respondent. Justice KENNEDY 1 question presented whether Constitution permits Commission Manual (Nov.1989) if trial. We answer affirmative. 2 * respondent, Sharon Dunnigan, charged single count indictment 21 U.S.C. 846. After entering plea guilty, stood 3 part, trafficking summer 1988. first Freddie Harris, dealer Charleston, West Virginia. Harris traveled between Charleston Cleveland, Ohio, numerous times purchase him. He further stated either he his associate John Dean accompanied several these trips. second witness, recounted trips Cleveland same period described meetings purpose delivering 4 Three followed. Andre Charlton apartment, ounces Harris. attested receiving said bought Cleveland. Tammy Moore next. She conversations vouched high quality suggested accompany trip Then came Wynema Brown, repeated admissions Brown saw powder apartment witnessed daughter convert into sell. This ended case-in-chief. 5 elected take defense. acts attributed her. admitted going once innocent purpose, buy sell knowing traveling him Last, brought apartment. On cross-examination, questioned regarding witnesses. their any other time. asked Edward Dickerson been answered no. 6 defense rested, began rebuttal Dickerson. purchasing July 12, 1988, transaction monitored law enforcement authorities. Moore, about provided resale. According money resale paid over returned verdict guilty. 7 See Commission, (Nov.1989). Her base offense level set 22, requested increased two levels U.S.S.G. 3C1.1, entitled "willfully obstructing impeding proceedings," because perjured herself arguments sides, ruled request: 8 "The untruthful respect matters involvement case beyond reasonable doubt involved indictment, virtue failure were designed substantially affect outcome case, concludes warrants upward adjustment levels." App. 29. 9 Based upon 24 history category I, 51 months' incarceration, low end range. 10 appealed reversed Court's 1991). did issue rule Instead, held reasoned "every [would] given enhancement." Id., 183. Citing some incentives elect testify, impeachment prior convictions, mechanical unconstitutional: "With automatic added ante, think worth risk." 184. 11 Referring 582 (1978), where we distinguishable grounds. First, Grayson justified assessment greater need rehabilitation. 51-53, 2616-2617. thought inapplicable, viewing without time expense F.2d, Second, cautioned "[n]othing say today requires judge enhance, fashion, false." U.S., 55, S.Ct., 2618. Appeals, "[t]he guidelines supply precisely 'wooden reflex' disclaimed Court," 184, rigidity "makes disbelieved denial guilt intolerable burden behalf." 185. 12 Over dissent four judges, declined rehear en banc. 950 149 granted certiorari. 504 ----, 112 2272, 119 199 (1992). II A. 13 Guideline states full: "If offense, [defendant's] (Nov.1992). Both assume explicit so providing. pertinent states: 14 "This section provides engages conduct calculated mislead deceive authorities those judicial proceeding, otherwise interfere disposition charges, offense. 15 16 "1. following conduct, while exclusive, basis applying adjustment: 17 18 "(c) untruthfully suborning fact, . preliminary grand proceeding." 19 comment., n. 1(c) 3(b) (Nov.1992) ("The non-exhaustive list examples types applies: committing, suborning, attempting suborn perjury"). 20 Were before us reference commentary, acknowledge our precedents do interpret constitute unless design proceedings. re Michael, 326 224, 228, 66 78, 80, 90 L.Ed. 30 (1945); Ex parte Hudgings, 249 378, 383, 39 337, 339, 63 656 (1919). Those cases arose context interpreting early versions contempt statute, defined contempt, "misbehavior person justice." 28 385 (1940 ed.) (Judicial Code 268), derived Act Mar. 1831, Rev.Stat. 725. 401(1) (same). Hudgings indicated ordinary task courts sift true problem caused simple much expected administration. 227-228, 79-80. cases, however, decided against background power confined " 'the least possible adequate' protect "the immediate interruption business." 227, 79 (quoting Anderson Dunn, Wheat. 204, 231, 242 (1821)). present context, hand, provision scheme determine appropriate type extent after resolved. commission obvious relevance regard, reflects history, willingness accept commands authority court, character general. Even assumption could construe guideline manner inconsistent accompanying meaning ascribed "obstruction differs contexts reason rejecting Commission's interpretation phrase. events, contested neither party 22 determining what constitutes rely definition gained general acceptance common understanding 1621. violates statute mistake memory. 1621(1); Debrow, 346 374, 376, 74 113, 114, 92 (1953); Norris, 300 564, 574, 576, 535, 539, 540, 81 808 (1937). remained unchanged respects century. Smull, 236 405, 408, (1915) (tracing 1621's predecessor, 4, 1909, ch. 321, 125, 35 Stat. 1111). parallels typical state-law definitions see American Law Institute, Model Penal 241.1 (1985); C. Torcia, Wharton's Criminal 601 (14th ed. 1981), roots dating back Statute 1563, Eliz. 9, Gordon, Invention Common Crime: Elizabethan Courts, Am.J. Legal Hist. 145 (1980). Colonial Laws New York, 1664-1719, 8, pp. 129-130 (reprinting "An prevent wilfull Perjury," enacted Nov. 1, 1683). 23 Of course, testifies incur committing just due instances, capacity, insanity, duress self-defense. truthful, nonetheless find intent. For reasons, justice, attempt same, out. 6A1.3 (Nov.1989); Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 32(c)(3)(D). Burns States, 501 111 2182, 115 123 (1991). When doing so, preferable sufficient, if, finding 29 [B]y levels" (emphasis added)). Given contradicted many facts mistaken, there ample B turn next contention undermines one's behalf proceeding made 3481, and, said, implicit Constitution. Rock Arkansas, 483 44, 107 2704, 2709, 97 37 (1987); Nix Whiteside, 475 157, 164, 106 988, 992-993, 89 (1986). 25 contend interferes number occasions include commit 173, 997; Havens, 446 620, 626, 100 1912, 1916, 64 559 (1980); 54, 2617. Nor unconstitutional distorts remain silent. Our impose categorical ban governmental action affecting strategic decisions accused, exercise constitutional rights. Bordenkircher Hayes, 434 357, 365, 663, 669, 54 604 (1978); McGautha California, 402 183, 216-217, 91 1454, 1471-1472, 711 (1971); Knox, 396 77, 82-83, 363, 366-367, 275 (1969). 26 No avoid difficulties, argument comes different form. carries order even regard truth erroneous falsity. That creates risk, claims, survive scrutiny. 27 explanation challenges And courts, To uphold integrity system, constitutionality statutes unquestioned. supra, Nix, 173-174, 997-998; 626-627, 1916-1917. sworn backed protection threat. All third witness' obligations penalties attendant it. Cf. G. Neilson, Trial By Combat (1891) ("A means ensuring human thing desired age"). Neither advances impermissible practice incarcerating saving bringing prosecution." 53, deter way But 3553(a)(2); Mistretta 488 361, 367, 109 647, 652, 102 714 (1989). rational conclude commits crime then perjures unlawful responsibility threatening society less deserving leniency defy process. perjuring frustrate proceedings suggests incapacitation heightened compared allows progress resorting Weighed considerations, distinguish are wide mark. correct no longer 994(k); Mistretta, 652. lengthy discussion how relevant potential meant imply serves goals. cautionary remark imposed "in fashion" compel invalidation believed. specificity stated, automatic. grounds, circumstances, Chapman 500 1919, 114 524 (1991); McMillan Pennsylvania, 477 79, 92, 2411, 2419, 67 consistent privilege behalf. 31 ordered. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 282, 287, 50 499.

Classification Label: 0