Legal Document

503 U.S. 291 112 S.Ct. 1329 117 L.Ed.2d 559 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.R.L.C. No. 90-1577. Argued Dec. 10, 1991. Decided March 24, 1992. Syllabus Because certain conduct of respondent R.L.C. at age 16 would have constituted the crime involuntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1112(a) and 1153 if committed by an adult, District Court held that he had act juvenile delinquency within meaning Juvenile Delinquency Act. In light a provision Act requiring length official detention in circumstances to be limited "the maximum term imprisonment authorized been tried convicted as adult," § 5037(c)(1)(B), court for three years, sentence 1112(b). Reading 5037(c)(1)(B) bar longer than could impose on similarly situated adult after applying United States Sentencing Guidelines, finding Guidelines yield 21 months R.L.C.'s circumstances, Appeals vacated his remanded resentencing. Held: The judgment is affirmed. 915 F.2d 320 (CA8 1990), Justice SOUTER delivered opinion with respect Parts I, II-A, III, concluding: 1. Plain-meaning analysis does not compel adoption Government's construction word "authorized" must refer provided statute defining offense. At least equally consistent, arguably more natural, refers result all statutes required bearing sentencing decision, including only those empower but limit legitimacy its exercise power, 3553(b) which requires application caps top relevant Guideline range, absent warranting departure. Thus, most can said from examining text present form Government may claim preferred one possible resolution statutory ambiguity. Pp. 297-298. 2. limitation imposed were being sentenced Guidelines. Although determining permissible will require reviewing courts determine appropriate range juvenile-delinquency proceedings, it plenary delinquents. Where applies, court's concern goes solely upper proper setting detention, warrant departure 3553(b). 306-307. SOUTER, joined THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, STEVENS, II-B II-C, concluding that: 1 textual evolution legislative history reinforce conclusion section better understood permitted Whereas predecessor 5037(c) spoke terms "maximum adult" (emphasis added), current version's reference juvenile," face suggests change abstract considerations focused inquiry into particular juvenile. intervening version referred "that 3581(b) emphasized language was quickly deleted, resulting text. demonstrates Congress intended deletion conform sentences, 3581(b), catalogs such sentences federal offenses their relative seriousness, some appeared authorize received. Absent promulgation might left question determined penalty creating However, Congress' purpose today achieved reading consistently 3553(b), generally provide ceiling favorable contained offense-defining statute. It hardly seems likely adopted without intending recently enacted scheme considered conforming sentences. 298-305. 2 No ambiguity about statute's scope survives foregoing analysis, but, any did, yielding shorter chosen rule lenity. That rule's unnecessary this case, however, since has "always reserved lenity situations reasonable doubt persists even resort 'the structure, history, motivating policies' statute." Moskal v. States, 498 ----, 111 461, 465, 449 (citation omitted). 305-306. 3 SCALIA, KENNEDY THOMAS, concluded consistent construe textually ambiguous penal against criminal defendant basis history. Once ambiguous, lenient interpretation prevail. approving reliance "motivating policies," contrary Hughey 495 411, 422, 110 1979, 1985, 109 408. And insofar consideration all, compromises purposes rule: assure fair warning what rendered illegal, see, e.g., McBoyle 283 25, 27, 51 340, 341, 75 L.Ed. 816, society, through representatives, genuinely called punishment meted out, see Bass, 404 336, 348, 92 515, 522, 30 488. While construing before, appears Dixson 465 482, 104 1172, 79 458, relied "clarify" defendant's interest. discuss implications both cases cites supposed support holding found hand facially ambiguous. 307-311. 4 THOMAS agreed SCALIA use otherwise difficult reconcile operates, remains applied established principles See, Chapman 500 1919, 114 524. knowledge these imputed citizenry, there scant justification also extra-legal materials 311-312. 5 J., announced REHNQUIST, C.J., KENNEDY, JJ., joined, WHITE joined. filed concurring part judgment, judgment. O'CONNOR, dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN, 6 Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Washington, D.C., petitioner. 7 Katherian D. Roe, Minneapolis, Minn., respondent. 8 STEVENS join. 9 provisions adult." 5037(c)(1)(B). We hold 10 * Early morning November 5, 1989, night drinking, then-16-year-old another stole car they struck automobile, fatally injuring passengers, 2-year-old La Tesha Mountain. member Red Lake Band Chippewa Indians, events took place Indian Reservation, country defined law. These jurisdiction case. See 1151, 1162, 1153. Upon certifying proceeding 5032 ground no state over offense, charged delinquency. 11 After bench trial, who driven recklessly while intoxicated owner's authorization, causing Mountain's death. 5031, acts violation adult. 1112(b) years. dispositional hearing, granted request respondent's accordingly him 12 Despite length, Eighth Circuit, (1990), resentencing, 36 exceeded cap upon period delinquent sentenced. merely provides extend beyond adult,"1 read Under caused recklessness base offense level 14. Commission, Manual, 2A1.4(a)(2) (Nov.1991). found, agrees, Brief 22, n. because lowest level, Category 15-21 therefore months. 13 sought stay mandate Appeals, remand now served time, failure complete 3-year originally possibility remainder saves case mootness. Villamonte-Marquez, 462 579, 581, 2, 103 2573, 2575, 77 22 (1983). petition certiorari, 501 2850, 115 1018 (1991), resolve conflict between Circuit's Ninth position, Marco L., 868 1121, cert. denied, 493 956, 369, 107 355 (1989), endorsed Government. II A. 14 straightforward enquiry plain explain "authorized." argues mean "authorize" crime. As position circumscribe trial authority, insists our affirmative authority imposing sentence, necessarily stems maintains event Commission's congressional authorization establish guidelines create set punishments crime, do purport relate. 15 But too easy. answer suggestion character specific gives primacy administrative apply itself statutory. More significantly, argument "authorization" affirmatively statutes, mandate, us beg question. Of course true providing specifically consequences activity. question, whether treat when statutorily mandated guideline imposition up limit, unwarranted upward reversible error. 3742. Here suffices say means plain. treating power. This, indeed, natural construction. not, then, answer. B 17 On assumption exists, we turn examine or elucidate it.2 included Prevention 1974 adjudged custody Attorney General "not [to] juvenile's twenty-first birthday same whichever sooner." 5037(b) (1982 Ed.) added). form, face, available before court. supports reading. With Reform 1984 (chapter Comprehensive Crime Control 1984, Pub.L. 98-473, 214(a), 98 Stat. 2013), 5037 rewritten. became (c)(2)(B)(ii) Ed., Supp. II) Criminal Law Procedure Technical Amendments 1986, 99-646, 21(a)(2), 100 3596 (Technical Act), text, thus lost guided identifying imprisonment. 19 loss highly significant. Section 3581(b)3 still classification system incidents letter grades reflecting seriousness. One provision, example, sets supervised release each grade. 3583. out grade, providing, instance, Class C felony D 6, E 3. 20 catalog maximums seem go position. Since, apparently subject years appear indicate intent broaden authorized.4 Government, finds different purpose, disclosed section-by-section prepared Department accompany bill Department's explanation proposal delete 3581(b): "Because effect 3559(b)(2), deleting tie juveniles adults, rather making severe sentences." 131 Cong.Rec. 14177 (1985). 3559 new schedule, conviction according offense's assigned pre-existing body assignments created. 3559(a) formula assigning missing based stood time Act, read: "(a) Classification 23 "An classified grade it, classified— 24 "(1) is— 25 "(A) life imprisonment, death, A felony; 26 "(B) twenty more, 27 "(C) less ten 28 "(D) five 29 "(E) year, "(F) year six months, misdemeanor; 31 "(G) thirty days, "(H) days 32 "(I) less, authorized, infraction. 33 "(b) Effect 34 subsection (a) carries applicable designation except 35 fine describing chapter, greater; "(2) offense." II). 37 explains limiting received, involved Thus created carrying two treated felony. carried Regardless classification, 3559(b)(2) certainly preclude offender Tension arise, where constituting Insofar capped years; three. break tension, deleted guaranteeing given amendment also, says, law clear measure sentence. This confirmed statement House Report "delet[es an] incorrect cross-referenc[e]," H.R.Rep. 99-797, p. 21, U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 6138 (1986), which, argues, "suggests substantive intended." 20, 4. 38 agree point. confused 3581(b). judge considering told look [according grade] 3581(b)," turned first obtain classification. perhaps felt obliged ignore 3559(b) offense," favor Indeed, faced puzzle virtually every classifying used future legislation offenses. 16. books statute, device rarely ensuing 39 resolved that, expressed simply prove, despite enactment 40 inference. relies, went "deleting expression "[t]he shall . range" category forth "unless exists aggravating mitigating circumstance kind, degree, adequately taken Commission formulating should described." 41 point reinforced other elements Senate accompanying 1986 states "makes are equal offenders committing crime." S.Rep. 99-278, (1986). turn, reflects changes "in order made laws." 98-225, 155 (1983), Admin.News, pp. 3182, 3338. fundamental Act's was, course, creation promulgate courts. purpose. reinforces initial Guidelines.5 42 think survives. If choose resting venerable lenity, 347-348, 522-523, 488 (1971), rooted " instinctive distaste men languishing prison unless lawmaker clearly should,' id., S.Ct., 523 (quoting H. Friendly, Benchmarks 209 (1967)). issues questions severity sentencing, Bifulco 447 381, 387, 2247, 2252, 65 205 (1980), "we always (1990) omitted).6 III 43 permitting exceed counterpart emphasize delinquents.7 44 Affirmed. 45 whom join, 46 my view SOUTER's assumes contrary, I join concur 47 begins quite properly, 5037(c)(1)(B)—which proves Reasonable remains, concludes, (i) (15-21 months) (ii) (36 months). Ante, 298. agree—and end matter. view, prescribes ambiguous: 48 Yet plurality continues. Armed ambiguity, conducts search 5037's clarifies Happily defendant, plurality's extratextual benign: uncovers evidence "better understood" one. 305. methodology contemplates well ending, something Committee causes stricter displays. According plurality, [rule lenity] 'a policies" statute.' 305-306 accurately characterizes area, am treatment lenity," ante, 305, venerate important values old serves. 49 formulation rule, (an obscure phrase), 408 "[e]ven [where] [is] longstanding [the defendant] general declarations policy history." described rule. "[A] warning," said, "should world common understand, intends line passed. To make fair, so far clear." 816 (1931). "[T]he ensures concerning illegal." Liparota 471 419, 427, 105 2084, 2089, 85 434 proposition words Code Statutes Large give adequate notice citizen fiction, McBoyle, supra, U.S., albeit law; necessary fiction descends needless farce public Reports. 50 Moskal's mode disserves lenity's purpose: assuring out. "[B]ecause seriousness penalties, usually represents moral condemnation community, legislatures define activity." 523, (1971). Liparota, 2089; Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 95, (1820). reflects, acknowledges, ' should." 305 never assurance unacceptable result. "[a] statute," matter how "authoritative" be—even veritable Rosetta Stone archaeology, crystal Report—one sure legislators voted aware it. thing authoritatively enactment; rest speculation. doubtful includes penalty, ought imposed. community," reflected views majority single committee congressmen (assuming, staff produced) appellate court; feel concerned "men prison" direction other. number done here: inquired invoked permit once, knowledge, explicitly interest defendant. 500-501, 19, 1181-1182, 458 (1984), defendants, officers corporation responsible administering block grants, "public officials" 201(a). trouble "fair warning" "condemnation community" Moore, 423 122, 131, 96 335, 333 (1975) ("By 841 reaches 'any person' "does exempt (as have) 'all registrants' persons registered Act' "); Brown, 18, 68 376, 378, 442 (1948) ("The unmistakable intention escape attempted superimposed previous itself."). weak (indeed, utterly unreasoned) foundation permits satisfy ancient requirement speak "plainly unmistakably," Gradwell, 243 476, 485, 407, 61 857 (1917); 522. 52 sum, embrace, does, canon construction, lest lower take dictum heart. acknowledge tension precedents, absence examination consequent good 53 54 write separately, triggered face. Just last Term, reaffirmed operates 'at process' 1926, 524 (1991) Callanan 364 587, 596, 81 321, 326, 312 (1961)), "even "seize[d] aid derived," ibid. 347, quoting Fisher, Cranch 358, 386, 304 (1805)). although enact "clear definite" Universal C.I.T. Credit Corp., 344 218, 221-222, 73 227, 229-230, 97 260 (1952), consult own "well-established construction," Gozlon-Peretz 840, 849, 919 definite. 846 (applying Arnold 104, 119-120, 671 (1815), become effective immediately); Albernaz 450 333, 337-342, 101 1137, 1141-1144, 67 275 (1981) Blockburger 284 299, 304, 180, 182, 76 306 (1932), permissibility multiple punishments). 55 cases, think, demonstrate presume familiarity Code, 309, Reports, developed innumerable rules powerful enough Cf. Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 843, 9, 2778, 2781, 694 (1984) ("clear intent" discerned "traditional tools construction"). Like Congress's decisions law, citizenry. issue here, though, reports floor statements, extending "necessary fiction" citizens know materials. 56 BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 57 By failing interpret part, interprets "technical amendment" sweeping process focus sentencing. Instead, honor leave settled practice undisturbed. 58 When (Sentencing Commission) overhaul discretionary aspect overhaul, formalizes procedures. explains: 59 "In pre-guidelines practice, factors often informal fashion. informality extent explained fact characteristics consequence. situation exist guidelines. disputed measurable punishment. formality unavoidable accurate fair." (Nov.1991) 6A1.3, comment. 60 Another significant appeal incorrectly departed from, 3742; prior limits review. Tucker, 443, 447, 589, 591, 592 (1972). factual findings hearings challenged appeal. repealed Youth Corrections Title II, 218(a)(8), 2027 gave special defendants 22. did repeal applies indicated study feasibility juveniles, 995(a)(1)-(a)(9), progress. 11, intend juveniles. interpreted backdrop. 62 Before correlative maximum. past remain to: classifies terms, clarified maximum, consonant decision place, judges calculate 63 299-304, cross-reference added numerous technical amendments. reads changing 3581's though original respects, There indication practice. context, unambiguously unambiguous respect, here. (Court structure ascertain sense resorting lenity). Court, construes vacuum apart violating context overall scheme." Davis Michigan Dept. Treasury, 489 803, 809, 1500, 1504, 891 (1989). 64 practical Court's why runs Requiring district imports formal factfinding procedures foreign retain. contrast traditionally aspired "intimate, [and] protective." McKeiver Pennsylvania, 403 528, 545, 91 1976, 647 reason traditional proceedings treatment, presumption teachable yet "hardened criminals." 75th Cong., 3d Sess., (1938). McKeiver, supra; 5039 ("Whenever possible, commit foster home community-based facility located near community"). result, adults. asserts, naively me, "plenary application" 307, makes easy—a need guilty 296. calculating much complicated. Even relatively stolen driving. placed might, proven connected convicted, enhance "relevant conduct." USSG 1B1.3. Respondent's role adjustment 3B1.1, 3B1.2. determination accepted responsibility, changed calculation Tr. (Jan. 1991), 3E1.1. account warranted, increase decrease "maximum" undiscernible "reasonable" amount. 3-4, short, static readily ascertainable, depends particularized determinations judge. 66 adversarial evidentiary hearings. investigations findings. 6A1.3 Federal Rule 32(a)(1), amended procedure adults accommodates factfinding. conflicts Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 54(b)(5), me serious mind An able appeals. addition, incorporates irrelevant 4B1.1 (career status inapplicable 18), incorporate 5H1.1, 5H1.6 (age family ties sentencing). cannot serve useful comparison. cumbersome comparable threatens dominate hearing expense infer meant refocus way amendment, especially expressly directed tailored 69 admittedly unusual enacted, anomalies unknown: receive long try address disparity presented ways intend. wait decide fashion For reason, respectfully dissent. provides: "(c) ordered extend— eighteen old, lesser of— date becomes twenty-one old; adult; old— A, B, felony, "(i) "(ii) broader He contends justified rehabilitative Carter 113 U.S.App.D.C. 123, 125, 283, 285 (1962) (imposing now-repealed Act) ("[R]ehabilitation regarded comprising quid pro quo confinement conditions undergo ordinary prison"). then rejected model Mistretta 361, 366-367, 647, 651-652, 102 714 well. Respondent 19. removed 214(b), 2014 (abolishing parole delinquents), completely reject objectives. 5035, 5039. points either party's direction. Authorized terms.—The are— duration time; twenty-five "(3) twelve "(4) "(5) "(6) misdemeanor, year; "(7) months; "(8) days; "(9) infraction, days." 3581. here appearing fact, tell, dissent takes task amendment." whatever label. critical enactment, came Procedures usual construction: naturally mandating conclusion. soundness 's (unlike one) addition application. approached "rare policies warranted text," Crandon 494 152, 160, 997, 1002-03, 108 132 "general policy," (1990). "narrowest" recognized nontextual language. (1984). (1931) (a construed "common mind"). Whether immediate dispositive espouses raised reached directly proceedings. observe 995(a)(19), power "study developing disposition delinquents." begun study.

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