Legal Document

423 U.S. 61 96 Supreme Court Reporter 241 46 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 195 Steve MENNAv.State of NEW YORK. Number 75-5401. Nov. 17, 1975. PER CURIAM. 1 On November 7, 1968, after being granted immunity, petitioner refused to answer questions put him before a duly convened Kings County, N. Y., Grand Jury which was investigating murder conspiracy. March 18, 1969, obey court order return testify the same in connection with investigation. that date, adjudicated contempt under § 750 New York Judiciary Law for his failure Jury; and, on 21, declining an offer purge contempt, sentenced flat 30-day term civil jail. Petitioner served sentence. 2 June 10, 1970, indicted refusal 1968. After asserting unsuccessfully indictment should be dismissed Double Jeopardy Clause Fifth Amendment Constitution, pleaded guilty and plea. appealed, claiming precluded State from haling into charge he had guilty.1 The Appeals affirmed conviction, address double jeopardy claim merits. It held, relying, inter alia, Tollett versus Henderson, 411 258, 93 1602, 36 235 (1973), been "waived" by petitioner's counseled plea guilty. 3 We reverse. Where is Constitution defendant charge, federal law requires conviction set aside even if entered pursuant Blackledge Perry, 417 30, 94 2098, 2103, 40 628 (1974).2 motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition certiorari are granted, case remanded determination merits, we express no view. 4 Mr. Justice BRENNAN agrees "(w)here guilty," ante, but view bars prosecution mounting successive prosecutions offenses growing out criminal transaction, believes proper disposition not remand outright reversal. See Ashe Swenson, 397 436, 453-454, 90 1189, 1199, 25 469 (1970) (Brennan, J., concurring). 5 CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST would grant writ oral argument. state concedes strong one In light sentence imposed, earlier People Colombo, 31 N.Y.2d 947, 341 N.Y.S.2d 97, 293 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 247, re Colombo York, 405 9, 92 756, 30 762, supports proposition based, at least part, thus crime as charged instant indictment. Matter Capio Justices Court, 41 A.D.2d 235, 342 100 (2d Dept. 1973), aff'd, 34 603, 354 953, 310 547; Matra, 42 865, 346 872 1973). Neither nor our cases it relied, e. g., Brady States, 742, 1463, 747 McMann Richardson, 759, 1441, 763, stand pleas inevitably "waive" all antecedent constitutional violations. If they did so hold, might correct. However emphasized waiver basic ingredient this line cases, id., 266, S.Ct., 1607. point these admission factual guilt reliable that, where voluntary intelligent, quite validly removes issue case. most sufficient basis State's imposition punishment. A plea, therefore, simply renders irrelevant those violations logically inconsistent valid establishment do way established. Here, however, may convict matter how therefore does bar claim. hold never waived. waive judged its face constitutionally prosecute.

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