Legal Document

462 U.S. 356 103 S.Ct. 2398 76 L.Ed.2d 638 Nelson BELL, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 82-5119. Argued April 25, 1983. Decided June 13, Syllabus A provision of the Bank Robbery Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(b), imposes criminal sanctions on "[w]hoever takes and carries away, with intent to steal or purloin, any property money other thing value exceeding $100 belonging to, in care, custody, control, management, possession bank, credit union, savings loan association." Petitioner opened an account at a institution using his own name, but giving false address, birth date, social security number. Later that day, another branch, he deposited into third party's $10,000 check which endorsement had been altered show petitioner's Subsequently petitioner closed was paid total balance cash. He convicted violating 2113(b) after trial Federal District Court. The Court Appeals ultimately affirmed, concluding statute embraces all felonious takings including obtaining under pretenses. Held: Section is not limited common-law larceny, also proscribes crime Pp. 358-362. (a) statutory language does suggest it covers only larceny. "takes away" traditional language, represents one element It entirely consistent pretenses, although necessary crime. Moreover, shows intention go beyond apply case pretenses there taking carrying conduct here. Pp.360-361 (b) legislative history suggests Congress intended reach conduct. congressional purpose protect banks from those who wished banks' assets—even if they used no force doing so. 361-362. 678 F.2d 547 (5 Cir.1982), affirmed. Roy W. Allman, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for petitioner. Rudolph Giuliani, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice POWELL delivered opinion 1 issue presented whether 2 * On October 1978, Cincinnati man wrote drawn bank. endorsed deposit Dade Savings & Loan Miami mailed agent there. never received check. 17, Bell branch $50—the minimum amount new accounts. gave man's this account. Bell's accepted deposit, put 20-day hold funds. November 7, as soon expired, returned balance, accrued interest, then slightly over $10,080. 3 apprehended charged 2113(b). provides, relevant part: 4 "Whoever association, shall be fined more than $5,000 imprisoned ten years, both . ." 5 jury United States Southern Florida. 6 appeal, divided panel Fifth Circuit reversed conviction ground insufficient evidence specific intent. 649 281 (1981). en banc court granted Government's petition rehearing, however, affirmed conviction. (1982) (Unit B). In so doing, concluded takings—including thus rejected argument Id., 548-549. Because conclusion inconsistent reached v. Feroni, 655 707, 708-711 (CA6 1981), LeMasters States, 378 262, 267-268 (CA9 1967), we certiorari resolve conflict.1 459 ----, 444, 74 600 (1982). We now affirm. II 7 13th century, larceny trespassory taking: thief committed feloniously "took carried another's personal possession. goal prevent breaches peace losses property, violence likely when taken owner's actual 8 As common law developed, protection became important goal. definition accordingly expanded by judicial interpretation include cases where owner merely deemed Thus bailee packaged goods broke open packages misappropriated contents, Carrier's Case, Y.B.Pasch. 13 Edw. IV, f. 9, pl. (Star Ch. Exch. 1473), reprinted 64 Selden Society 30 (1945). bailor possessi n contents packages, least time misappropriation. Similarly, "larceny trick" obtained custody horse telling use fact sell keep proceeds. King Pear, Leach 212, 168 Eng.Rep. 208 (Cr.Cas.Res.1779). judges fiction retained until sold, theory purpose. 213-214, Eng.Rep., 209. 9 By late 18th courts were less willing expand definitions. bank clerk given him customer rather depositing guilty money. Bazeley, 835, 517 (Cr.Cas.Res.1799). Statutory crimes such embezzlement therefore created fill gap.2 10 theoretical distinction between trick may stated simply. If thief, through trickery, acquired title owner, has pretenses; trick. See LaFave Scott, supra n. 2, 660-662. parties agree When teller handed $10,080 cash, dispute instead III A. 11 favor narrower reading relies principally statute's away." cites rule construction federal uses term without defining it, presumed intend meaning. Turley, 352 407, 411, 77 397, 399, 430 (1957). adopted elements terms. part Other "with purloin," established meaning law. supra, 411-412, S.Ct., 399-400. "taking away," crime, 12 Two aspects First, thefts tangible property. This limitation excluded, example, theft written instrument embodying chose action. Scott 633. broader "any $100." Second, particular relevance here, required owner. expanded, still applied goes well even definition. applies "belong[s] to," "in of," covered institution. sum, Although clear "t[ook] carrie[d] [over was] of" Loan. B 14 originally enacted 1934, ch. 304, 48 Stat. 783, governed robbery—a requiring forcible taking. apparently concerned " 'gangsters operate habitually State robbing banks.' "3 S.Rep. 537, 73rd Cong., 2d Sess., (1934) (quoting Department memorandum); see 78 Cong.Rec. 2946-2947 (1934); H.R.Rep. 1461, (1934). 15 1937 concern broader, nature original Act 'ha[d] led some incongruous results.' 732, 75th 1st (1937) Attorney General's letter Speaker). possible large 'without displaying putting fear,' id., would violate amended gap, adding found §§ 2113(a) (b). Aug. 24, 1937, 747, 50 749. "larceny" appears reports, plainly 16 protecting assets independent relies. To extent needs against trick, cannot believe limit scope Act's coverage, its remedial purpose, basis arcane artificial suited conditions century England 20th America. Such signal return "incongruous results" amendment designed eliminate. IV 17 conclude larceny.4 cover full range offenses, His proper, judgment Affirmed. 19 STEVENS, dissenting. 20 statutes are void local enforcement should construed broadly, see, e.g., Staszcuk, 53, 57-58 (CA7 1975) (en banc), I take different approach laws subject citizen risk prosecution two sovereigns. Altobella, 442 310, 316 1971). perceivable obstacle effective state enforcement, legislation narrowly unless coverage dispute. McElroy 455 642, 675, 102 .Ct. 1332, 1349, 71 522 (STEVENS, J., dissenting); Jerome 318 101, 104-105, 63 483, 485-486, 87 L.Ed. 640 (1943). 21 robbery 1934 persuades me did encompass funds consent, albeit response spate armed robberies John Dillinger traveling gunmen outwitted outmaneuvered series police forces moved early 1930's.1 responded requests assistance enacting prohibited banks, section initially passed Senate made offense.2 overlap jurisdiction greater cope evil rise legislation.3 22 Three years later request General Cummings. specifically described anomaly failure stealth, clearly bank's consent.4 amendment—making burglary crime—was routinely, significant comment debate.5 fair infer viewed change legislators perceived danger encouraging unnecessary growth national force. 23 members decided six passage statute. defendant entering utter forged promissory note. construing statute, discussion Congress' equally applicable involved case.6 Douglas observed, "It difficult face Congress, having express making felonies itself likewise same clause, indirection much fraud 1934." 105-106, 486-487. 24 Further, noted, "there slightest indication interstate activities gangsters insured broken down rendered ineffective covering sorts felonies." 107, 487.7 25 Given strong specific, intent, confine consent. deny Court's plausible, remains ambiguous. date repudiate Jerome's understanding respectfully dissent. Most appeals have broad See, Hinton, 703 672, 675-677 (CA2 1983), cert. denied, --- 75 ----; Shoels, 685 379, 381-383 (CA10 1982), pending, 82-5550; Simmons, 679 1042, 1045-1049 (CA3 pending sub nom. Brown 82-5201; Guiffre, 576 126, 127-128 (CA7), 439 833, 99 113, 58 128 (1978); cf. Johnson, 575 678, 679-680 (CA8 1978) (dictum); Rogers, 289 433, 437-438 (CA4 1961) (dictum). historical development related discussed detail several treatises. Handbook Criminal Law 618-622 (1972); J. Hall, Theft, 3-58 (2d ed. 1952). narrow illustrated rejection bill gone robbery. bill, explicitly S. 2841, There dicta (1943), our today holding. before provision, codified 2113(a), proscribed commit state-law felony. explained need largely reference problem robberies, though recommended enough well. Its memorandum, quoted House Report, explains: "This directed most serious forms organized another—the banks. From sections country relief requested. asserted these criminals sufficiently powerful equipped defy police, flee borders adequate can resist capture bandits." 73d Sess. Indeed, floor debates included Dillinger's well-known escapades. Rep. Blanton noted might rob, "he kind Indiana shooters carved out piece wood pocket knife." 8132 For Justice's memoranda 1, 2; 1. provided, part, that: "Whoever, being entitled of, attempts carry place (1) consent (2) offender artifice, fraud, fraudulent representation, convert individual, partnership, corporation, punished fine imprisonment both." (emphasis supplied). Judiciary Committee stricken out. committee amendment, changes. 8767, 8776. During report, Hatton Sumners, long-time chairman Committee, reluctance extend jurisdiction. explained, opposing proposed extending governmental institutions, "I say gentleman going far since owned, rule, citizens community located. will ng further, ask further." 8133. contemporary observer Sumners "sought throughout session extensions power situations supplement enforcing agencies become imperative." Note Racketeering, "Kick-Back" Laws, Contemp.Probs. 445, 448-449 expressly "There Government supersede authorities class cases. intervene cooperate evident latter criminals." 2. "The results. striking instance arose short ago, arrested while walking building $11,000 person. managed gain during momentary absence employees, fear—necessary robbery—and about leave apprehended. result, practicable prosecute statute." 1-2 (1937). 81 5376-5377 offense enter felony larceny." defined itself—a U.S., 105, 106, 486, 487. Ninth Le Masters 262 (1967), 707 1981): "In situation ee reason, urgent otherwise, why wanted field duplicating effectively enforced, duplication bring innumerable cases, them small, within prosecutors courts. aware unambiguous pretense extension serve except confuse dilute responsibility adequately dealt law."

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