Legal Document

517 U.S. 292116 S.Ct. 1241134 L.Ed.2d 419 Tommy L. RUTLEDGE, petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 94-8769. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Nov. 27, 1995. Decided March 1996. Syllabus* A jury found petitioner guilty one count participating in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances violation 21 U.S.C. § 846 and conducting continuing criminal enterprise (CCE) "in concert" with others 848. The element his CCE offense was based on same agreement as conspiracy. District entered judgment conviction both counts imposed sentence life imprisonment without possible release each, sentences be served concurrently. Pursuant 18 3013, it also ordered pay special assessment $50 each count. Seventh Circuit affirmed, relying Jeffers v. States, 432 137, 97 2207, 53 168, reject petitioner's contention that convictions concurrent impermissibly punished him twice for offense. Held: erred sentencing 848 counts. Pp. __-__. (a) It is presumed legislature does not intend impose two punishments where statutory provisions proscribe "same offense." test determining whether there are offenses requires proof fact which other not. Blockburger 284 299, 304, 52 180, 182, 76 L.Ed. 306. This h often concluded statutes define offense" lesser included other. For reasons set forth Jeffers, U.S., at 149-150, S.Ct., 2215-2216 (plurality opinion); id., 158, 159, n. 5, 2220, 2221, 5 (dissenting opinion), particularly because plain meaning 848's phrase signifies mutual common plan or enterprise, now resolves definitively verdict charge necessarily includes finding defendant participated violative 846. Conspiracy therefore CCE. (b) rejects Government's presumption against multiple invalidate either second concurrent. That amounts punishment it. Cf. Ray 481 736, 107 2093, 95 693 (1987) (per curiam). Even if were ignored, force argument would limited by Ball 470 856, 861-865, 105 1668, 1671-1674, 84 740, Congress did allow illegally "receiving" "possessing" firearm; held only remedy consistent congressional intent vacate underlying well upon it; explained evaporate simply its sentence's concurrence, since has potential adverse collateral consequences—e.g., delay parole eligibility an increased under recidivist statute future offense—that make presumptively impermissible impose. Although challenge below, 3013 required imposition renders much consequence consequences recognized Ball. (c) Also rejected overcome here clearly indicated courts them. Support view cannot inferred from this Court's allowed §§ stand, those separate trials, review addressed conviction, affirmed four-Justice plurality decided had waived any right object, see 152-154, 2216-2218, Justice White took hereinbefore-rejected position CCE, 2220 (opinion concurring part dissenting part). As issue, then, entitled precedential weight best unexplained affirmance equally divided court. (d) intended provide "back up" preventing who later successfully challenges greater escaping altogether, unpersuasive. There no reason why particular pair should present novel problem already federal appellate courts, have uniformly concluded—with approval, see, e.g., Morris Mathews, 475 237, 246-247, 106 1032, 1037-1038, 89 187—that they may direct entry when reversed grounds affecting (e) Because adheres author ize punishment, convictions, sentence, unauthorized must vacated Ball, 864, 1673. P. __. 40 F.3d 879 (C.A.7 1994), remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. On Writ Certiorari Appeals Circuit. Barry Levenstam, Chicago, IL, petitioner. James A. Feldman, Washington, DC, respondent. STEVENS 1 Stat. 1265, amended, question presented improper 2 * Petitioner organized supervised distributed cocaine Warren County, Illinois, 1988 until December 1990, he arrested agents. He charged several offenses, Count One, charge, Two, relevant issue before us. 3 One alleged during period between early late violated 8481 engaging consisted series unlawful acts involving distribution cocaine.2 these actions undertaken concert least five (5) persons," persons, obtained substantial income violations. App. 2-3. 4 Two separately period, 8463 conspiring four codefendants engage cocaine. conspirators furthered performing overt act delivery, purchase, 3-5. After 9-day trial, all trial court count, Id., 8-10. 6 appeal, contended pro se supplemental brief even though concurrent, entering accepted premise argument, namely charge. 879, 886 (1994). nonetheless sentences. Relying earlier decision Bond, 847 F.2d 1233, 1238 1988), our 168 (1977), "provided cumulative exceed maximum act." F.3d, 886. 7 odds practice Circuits. Most confronted hold agreements.4 Second Third Circuits adopted intermediate position, allowing but permitting rather than Circuit.5 We granted certiorari resolve conflict. --- ----, 115 2608, 132 852 (1995). II 8 Courts "prescrib[e] intended." Missouri Hunter, 459 359, 366, 103 673, 678, 74 535 (1983); Brown Ohio, 161, 165, 2225, 187 (1977). In accord principles rooted law constitutional jurisprudence, Ex parte Lange, Wall. 163, 168-170, 872 (1874), we presume "where 'same offense,' " Whalen 445 684, 691-692, 100 1432, 1437-1438, 63 715 (1980); 861, 1671-1672, 740 (1985). 9 over half century determined been applying rule 306 (1932). If "the transaction constitutes distinct provisions, applied determine provision not." Ibid. subsequent applications test, different offense," typically t other.6 10 case perfectly clear number elements need established case.7 us consider converse true—whether could answered affirmatively assuming while actual among parties, might satisfied something less. 11 Government advanced precise (1977),8 managed persuade Justice. (White, concurring). rejected, varying degrees, eight. dissenters adopted, comment, proposition See 5. remaining Justices joined Blackmun's which, declining offense,9 inconsistent statute's text, way words used statutes, legislative history statute.10 Based understanding "more likely" interpretation 848, assumed, arguendo, "that require persons involved enterprise. So construed, every necessary show additional elements." 2215. 12 years decided, consistently language 848; concluded, exception, CCE.11 think appropriate point definitively: violate offense, straightforward application leads conclusion defined Furthermore, latter more serious two, prove conspiracy, characterize 848.12 III 13 contends resulting convictions. first argues, amount all. 14 begin noting district such case. long stands, will punishment. 737, 2093-2094, curiam) (presence precludes "concurrent doctrine"). urges rely assessment, however, pointing out "presupposes" fully Brief 7, 1. 15 ignore requests, There, firearm. 861-864, 1671-1673. light conclusion, . exercise discretion convictions" 1673 (emphasis added). further: 16 "The whose concomitant concurrently, concurrence sentence. apart ignored. example, presence record defendant's result Moreover, impeach credibility certainly carries societal st igma accompanying conviction. Benton Maryland, 395 784, 790-791 [89 2056, 2060-2061, 23 707] (1969); Sibron New York, 392 40, 54-56 [88 1889, 1898-1899, 20 917] (1968). Thus, results punishment." 864-865, 17 Under suggests, never exposed like described subject possibility release. conclusively matter, doubt carried it, very least, assessment. be. result, authorized Congress. IV 19 further argues crime indicates 678 (citing Whalen, 1437-1438); Garrett, 471 779, 2411-2412 (allowing Congress' "plainly expressed" view). submits can here. finds support stand. Those trials anyone suggested authorize dual offense,13 object Jeffers' prosecution believed prosecutions offenses. sole ground White's critical fifth vote affirm belief, single short paragraph, Part view. Accordingly, infer silently reached bizarre preclude punishments, supported explicitly disagreeing. nothing court—a matter what reasoning Neil Biggers , 409 188, 192, 93 375, 378-379, 34 401 (1972). important message conveyed bare judgment, plurality's dissenters, insufficiently justify rest activity.14 V 22 Finally, doing so altogether—even basis reversal affect lesser. 20-22. find unpersuasive, beyond posed developed rules avoid perceived danger. Tinder 345 565, 570, 73 911, 913, 1250 (1953), convicted theft mailbox improperly sentenced prison year evidence misdemeanor Exercising "power do justice requires" pursuant 28 2106, correct vacating "state including governed virtually Section 2106," Columbia modify erroneous judgments authorizes reduction insufficient [greater] stated verdict." Austin 382 129, 141-143 (1967).15 24 Consistent views expressed D.C. Circuit, appear 8A J. Moore, Federal Practice ¶ 31.03[5], 54 (2d ed.1995); Ward, 37 243, 251 (C.A.6 1994) (after remanded previously CCE), cert. denied, 514 1388, 131 240 (1995); Silvers, 888 F.Supp. 1289, 1306-1309 (D.Md.1995) (reinstating after granting motion new conviction). noted use approval. (1986) (approving process reducing able demonstrate "but inclusion [erroneous] proceeding probably different"). Jones Thomas, 491 376, 384-385, 3, 109 2522, 2527-2528, 322 (1989) ). 25 limits courts' power substitute offense.16 note concern motivating asking endorse Circuit's counts, judgments, arises whenever tried proceeding. instances, neither legislatures nor Congress, faced problem, deviate traditional rule.17 VI 26 846; B ecause arguments persuaded otherwise, adhere "[o]ne [petitioner's] vacated. 27 proceedings opinion. ordered. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499. 848(c) provides: "(c) 'Continuing enterprise' "For purposes subsection section, person engaged — "(1) violates subchapter chapter felony, "(2) violations "(A) respect whom occupies organizer, supervisory management, "(B) obtains resources." 848(c). transactions 841(a) Two. Attempt "Any attempts conspires commit shall penalties prescribed commission attempt conspiracy." See, Rivera-Martinez, 931 148, 153(C.A.1), 502 862, 112 184, 116 145 (1991); Butler, 885 195, 202 (C.A.4 1989); Neal, 1035, 1054 (C.A.5 513 530, 1165, 130 433, 1120 Paulino, 935 739, 751 1991), 1036, 883, 787 (1992); Possick, 849 332, 341 (C.A.8 1988); Hernandez-Escarsega, 1560, 1582 (C.A.9 1989), 497 1003, 110 3237, 111 748 (1990); Stallings, 810 973, 976 (C.A.10 1987); Cruz, 805 1464, 1479 (C.A.11 1986), 1006, 1631, 204 (1987); Anderson, 39 331, 357 (C.A.D.C. rev'd grounds, 59 1323 (C.A.D.C.1995) (en banc). Aiello, 771 621, 634 (C.A.2 1985); Fernandez, 916 125, 128-129 (C.A.3 1990), 500 948, 2249, 114 490 (1991). 1671-1673, (1985) (concluding barred directed "receipt" "possession" firearm amounted receipt "necessarily" possession); 691-695, 1437-1440, (1980) rape felony murder predicated offense"); 167-168, 2226-2227, (1977) (in context, (1932), confirm state-court "joyriding" auto theft). must, substantive violations, leader derive establish broader requirement participants, two. considered prosecute agreements. argued permissible crimes premised essential despite 848(b)(2)(A) 'in with.' 'innocent dupes' acted with' ringleader asserts, satisfied. 23." 147, 2214. relied Iannelli 420 770, 1284, 43 616 (1975), construed 1955 requiring Blackmun pointed out, significantly omitted left open 'involved' gambling operation acting together." 147-148, was, whatever opposed motion, brought consolidate proceedings. 153-154, 2215-2216, 2217-2218. "restricts definition accused persons.' "a [under 848] impossible unless concerted activity present. read individual agreements enough shown "[w]hen concert' generally connoted cooperative action agreement. suggests Since word 'concert' commonly articulated statement contrary abandoned." 149, 14, 2215, (citations omitted); Oxford English Dictionary 658 ed.1989) (defining "concert" "[a]greement parties plan, design, enterprise; union formed agreement"; "esp[ecially] "); Webster's International (1981) "agreement design plan: communication opinions views: accordance scheme"). "[i]n absence indication elsewhere contrary, far likely explanation plan." 148-149, F.2d, 152(C.A.1); 633(C.A.2); 1054(C.A.5); Chambers, 944 1253, 1268 1112, 1217, 117 455, sub nom. Lucas 503 989, 1680, 118 397 Rutledge, 886(C.A.7); 341(C.A.8); 1582(C.A.9); 975 (C.A.10); Graziano, 710 691, 699 1983). Garrett 773, 794-795, 2407, 2419-2420, 85 764 (1985), contrary. pleaded predicate importing marijuana. 2419-2420. holding, merely adhered traditionally qualitative difference conspiracy-like predicated. Felix, 378, 389-390, 1377, 1384-1385, (1992) citing similar case). No contrast involves largely identical conduct. 157, 2219-2220, (1977); 794, 2419 ("[T]he [in ] reasonably dangers thus little purpose cumulating penalties"). Indeed, insisted involve concerns, 154, 23, 2218, contend punishments. singularly unlikely source holding L.A. Tucker Truck Lines, 344 33, 38, 67, 69-70, (1952). sections Code. 16. rise level conclude identity elements, all, distant 863-864, 1672-1673 (discussing 922(h) U.S.C.App. 1202(a) (1984)). anything, proximity understood them similar, separate, evils. Albernaz 450 333, 343, 101 1137, 1144-1145, 67 275 (1981). discerns "significant differences" 19-24. None arguments, demonstrates "specially authorized" address today. 693, 1438. activity, facts. overlap conclude, absent more, both. Allison (C.A.D.C.1969), circumstances authority exercised limited. (1) adduced fails appellant convicted, (2) sufficiently sustains another o ffense, (3) former, (4) undue prejudice accused." 450-451. today, problems arise future. instructed return once Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction 2.03, Sand, J, Siffert, W. Loughlin, & S. Reiss, Modern Instructions, p. 7-7 certain circumstances, investigate conspiracies being aware facts charging well. always coterminous larger instance true here, explore today successive strand Double Jeopardy Clause, Diaz 223 442, 448-449, 32 250, 251, 56 (1912); 169, 2227, 786-793, 2415-2419, how prior handled then aside.

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