Legal Document

508 U.S. 129 113 S.Ct. 1993 124 L.Ed.2d 44 Thomas Lee DEAL, Petitoner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 91-8199. Argued March 1, 1993. Decided May 17, Syllabus * On the basis of his use a gun in committing six bank robberies on different dates, petitioner Deal was convicted, single proceeding, counts carrying and using firearm during relation to crime violence violation 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1). Section 924(c)(1) prescribes 5-year prison term for first such conviction (in addition punishment provided violence) requires 20-year sentence "[i]n case [a] second or subsequent under this subsection." The District Court sentenced 5 years imprisonment count 20 each five other counts, terms run consecutively. Appeals affirmed. Held: Deal's through sixth convictions proceeding arose conviction" within meaning There is no merit contention that language facially ambiguous should therefore be construed favor rule lenity. In context, "conviction" unambiguously refers finding guilt necessarily precedes entry final judgment conviction. If it referred, as contends, "judgment conviction," which by definition includes both adjudication sentence, provision would incoherent, prescribing has already been imposed shall longer than was. reading have strange consequence giving prosecutor unreviewable discretion either impose waive enhanced opting charge try defendant separate prosecutions multicount indictment. also cannot read an only offense committed after previous become final. While lower courts held statutes providing enhancement "subsequent offenses" apply when first, those decisions depend fact legally known "offense" until there present statute does not "offense," so require criminal act conviction; merely Nor lenity called grounds total length (105 years) "glaringly unjust." Under any conceivable 924(c)(1), some criminals convicted armed receive length. It unjust" refuse give lesser because he escaped apprehension had committed. Pp. ____. 954 F.2d 262 (CA 1992) SCALIA, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN O'CONNOR, Dola Jean Young, Houston, TX, petitioner. Miguel A. Estrada, Washington, DC, respondent. Justice SCALIA Court. 1 Between January April 1990, dates Texas area. robbery, used gun. Petitioner §§ 2113(a) (d), violence, 924(c), one being felon possession firearms, 922(g). Title provides: 2 "Whoever, . uses carries firearm, shall, ., years. subsection, person twenty ." 3 United States Southern Fifth Circuit affirmed sentence. (1992). We granted certiorari question whether petitioner's 506 ----, 53, 121 22 4 contends ambiguous, pursuant His principal argument regard word can, according dictionary, two meanings, "either return jury verdict verdict," Brief 4; phrase "second could "mean 'an additional rendered at time' " (which include here) 'a entered later time,' convictions, since all counts), id., 7. certainly correct can mean finding. many meanings well, including "[a]ct convincing error, compelling admission truth"; "[s]tate convinced; esp., state sin, one's conscience"; "[a] strong persuasion belief; as, live up convictions; intensity thorough Webster's New International Dictionary 584 (2d ed. 1950). But course susceptibility these render "conviction," whenever used, ambiguous; but ordinarily eliminated context. slightest doubt, example, deals with world rather next, sin. Petitioner's overlooks, we think, fundamental principle statutory construction (and, indeed, itself) determined isolation, must drawn from context used. See King v. St. Vincent's Hosp., 502 112 570, 574, 116 578 (1991); Davis Michigan Dept. Treasury, 489 803, 809, 109 1500, 1504, 103 891 (1989); Morton, 467 822, 828, 104 2769, 2773, 81 680 (1984). 6 think unambiguous judge A Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 32(b)(1) ("A set forth plea, findings, sentence" (emphasis added)); see Black's Law 843 (6th 1990) (quoting Rule defining conviction"). Thus, if meant (the defendant's "conviction") 7 absurd result avoided of" beginning provision. He maintains "case [a defendant's] subsequent" even before court prerequisite not. "entry "case" surely entered, time imposed. And more fundamentally still, displays once again regrettable penchant construing words isolation. assuredly refer legal "in followed name, "Marbury Madison, (1 Cranch) 137, L.Ed. 60 (1803)" apparent meaning. When event, however, normally means event of"—and its here. 8 immediately follows issue here confirms our "conviction." That "Notwithstanding law, place probation suspend provision, like us case, obviously control yet "convicted" similar what "conviction"—as connoting, is, judgment, sentence—we confront situation prescription effective too late, i.e., pronounced.1 9 are confirmed conclusion recognition sentencing provisions Although prosecution permitted sentencing, same charges divided into robberies, clearly required. disposed produces consequences.2 10 dissent Though interpretation mentioned briefs, put forward fall-back position oral argument, Tr. Oral Arg. 4, thinks "obvious," "post, 2001, rejection constitutes triumph "texturalism" over "common sense," post, 2004, elaborate exercise stntence-parsing," post 2004. note, begin with, most textural distinctions made them point— respond judgment." takes much "sentence parsing" reject quite offense" exactly thing, "first earlier conviction." 11 No disagree dissent's assertion "Congress sometimes slightly languate convey message," ____, "slightly language" thing. "Member House" instead "Representative", example. Or "criminal "crime." say thing here, entirely clear (without "sentence-parsing") 1992, who previously vonvicted 1993, 12 quotes extensively Gonzalez States, 224 431 (CA1 1955). far supporting "text-insensitive" approach favored dissent, acknowledges offender varied depending upon particular involved." F.2d, 434. says, points out, federal "uniformly" occur first. Ibid. holdings were arrived disregard text. To contrary, goes explain: 13 'It offense, statutes, offense.' Holst Owens, 24 100, 101 (CA5 1928)). 14 statute, possibly said What utterly ambiguity that, hence occasion invoke (The erroneous lower-court cited 2001-2002, do alter assessment; judges cause text ignoring it.) 15 end, nothing personal intuition supports directed 'failed learn their lessons initial punishment,' ---- Neal, 976 601, 603 (CA9 (Fletcher, dissenting)). Like intuitions, finds Congress intended intuitor ought intend.3 very precise. "[F]ailed punishment" seem suggest serving punishment, mere pronouncement it, necessary repeat will deemed inadequate student—a appeals Elsewhere, says lesson taught "an final," 2004—so escapes trial results becomes eligible crimes, though seemingly except law easy beat. matter. Once abandoned, serve well other. choose follow gives indication fail "lesson" prior sole purpose exclusion penal goals taking offenders off streets especially long periods, simply visiting society's retribution severely. agree suggestion defy sense." seems eminently sensible punish murder, life years—whether murder (or completion murder) occurred. 16 Finally, need tarry 105-year "is glaringly unjust application phrase, 'in conviction.' 24. Even whose offenses consist 105 prison. reason why treated similarly managed evade detection, prosecution, ultimately tried proceeding. 17 ordered. 19 whom O'CONNOR join, dissenting. message. offense," various sections Criminal Code, authorize sentences offenders.1 occasions, meticulously defines chosen identify "has final",2 frequently, relies settled usage reader's common sense impart 21 certain absent definition, makes perfectly "subsequent" describes 1302, instance, prohibits mailing lottery tickets, authorizes "any offense." literal adopted majority today, presumably justify imposition sold tickets mail charged treat offender, subject penalty enhancement, "simply proceeding." Ante, Code sections, where less illuminating, long-established distinguish between recidivists sufficient avoid misunderstanding anyone familiar practice.3 1955 undefined First noted offender" provide "committed calls increased penalty." 431, 434 (1955). continued: 23 "In uniformly rule. Singer [278 F. 415 (1922) ], Third considered substantially presently offense. See, e.g., Lindquist, [285 447 (WD Wash.1921) Biddle Thiele, [11 235 (CA8 1926) ]. [24 (1928) ]: Likewise, third implies repetition Similarly, Smith [41 215, 217 1930) stated: 'In order affect offenses, commission did define enacted 924(c) 1968. fair presume, courts. NLRB Amax Coal Co., 453 322, 329, 2789, 2794, 69 672 (1981); Perrin 444 37, 42-45, 100 311, 314-316, 62 199 (1979). Indeed, given provisions, hardly surprising Congressman Poff, proposed floor amendment became felt unnecessary further. Cf. Morissette 342 246, 263, 72 240, 250, 96 288 (1952) ("where borrows art absence contrary direction may taken satisfaction widely accepted definitions, departure them"). unsurprising appears almost enactment 924(c). 25 Simpson 435 6, 98 909, 55 70 (1978), involving months apart. Convicted trials, then maximum authorized first-time offender. U.S., 9, S.Ct., 911. Apparently, nobody possibility might trial, 924(c)'s despite sentences, 16-17, 914-915 (REHNQUIST, dissenting), aside, applying concluding intend when, Simpson's substantive firearm. Id., 14-15, 913-914. 26 Busic 446 398, 1747, 64 381 (1980), portion narrowly Simpson, rejecting supported result. Stewart succinctly described "general stiff sanctions stiffer recidivists."4 This understanding describe recidivism shared judges, several elapse Eleventh Rawlings, 821 1543, cert. denied, 484 979, 108 494, 492 (1987), endorsed appeared reported judicial opinion. 27 At Government unable tell how prosecutors 1987, Rawlings decided. 27-28. me, likely section straightforward recidivist just 1980. comport Government's submissions supra, Busic, recidivism.5 consistent, too, cases make district routinely imposing consecutive defendants apparently without objection warranted Henry, 878 937, 938 (CA6 1989); Jim, 865 211, 212 (CA9), 493 827, 110 93, 107 58 Fontanilla, 849 1257, 1258 1988); Chalan, 812 1315 (CA10 1987). 28 light history, I find counterparts final; short, adopted, course, grammatical difficulties potential prosecutorial manipulation trouble majority, ante, entirely. dissenting) ("common-sense 924(c)" statute). 29 assuming, obvious history belies notion admits reading, Rawlings. Surely argued surfacing available construction. consensus point; courts—and prosecutors—continue statute.6 Nabors, 901 1351 (CA6), 498 871, 111 192, 154 (1990), decided purported actually distinct violations.7 Luskin, 926 372 (CA4), 68, 43 (1991), year later, upheld three violations minimum mandatory trial. Significantly, challenge convictions.8 30 least, equivocation part enforcing combined current enacted, sufficiently uncertain apply. 913-914; Abreu, 962 1447, 1450-1451 (en banc). As 1991 sentencing: 31 "The model clarity. Its 'conviction' wording describing suggests intent reach conduct system offenses. legislative trying draconian 'if time.' 114 Cong.Rec. 22231, 22237 (1968). unclear faced deterrence strictly construed. Nabors [901 1358] '§ best, hard simple English .' With Mr. Godwin front decline hold him higher test found difficult appellate judges." Godwin, 758 F.Supp. 281, 283 (ED Pa.1991). 32 effort cure ambiguity, undertakes intricate analysis, emphasis "conviction."9 According referred guilt, preceding judgment; itself, opportunity enhancement. "absurd[ity]" situation, ibid., which, thus eluded evaporates assume gifted enough understand they may, enhance incorporated therein. majority's leaves unanswered dispositive here: (finding judgment) 33 support least readings "give provisions" manner she crimes. pointed out concern implicated straight-forward ____; construction, commits sentence-enhancement separately together. add Court's alternative solve broader problem identifies. concedes, 31-32, continue enjoy considerable deciding transaction series transactions. An robs and, time, assaults guard, charges; choice prosecutor's, consequence, today's holding, difference 5- 15-year (defendant arising episode); 1257 (same). 34 mandates enhanced, offenders. 1968, textualism replaced interpretation, bench bar understood applied who, having "failed dissenting).10 driven sentence-parsing, responsive neither historical nor sense. Because unwarranted unnecessarily harsh should, minimum, informed lenity, respectfully dissent. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499. argues "second" admit meanings—next next succession. worth pursuing "judgment," once-in-time (as multiple counts. point irrelevant, hold) guilt. Unlike findings successively time. "prosecutors transactions." Post, 2002. discretion, pertains prosecutor's universally unvoidable power confer extraordinary new determine modifying charging. approvingly ungarnished policy view 'punishing [i.e., offense] twenty-five-year deter ruins lives.' 2003, n. Jones, 965 1507, 1521 1992)). 1302 ("subsequent related tickets); 1735 ("second sexually oriented advertising); 844(h) felonious explosives). 859(b) (1982 ed., Supp.III) (distribution drugs minors); 860(b) near schools); 962(b) (importation controlled substances). 2114 robbery), interpreted Cooper, 580 259, 261 (CA7 1978) ("obvious" offense). 416, 1758. full comment: "I holding 'pyramid' punishments transaction. Yet implausible proposition Congress, enacting general provision—with recidivists—to source commit felonies, robbery assaulting officer, singled warranting special sanction authorized." O.T.1979, 78-6020, p. ("Section establishes increasingly severe suspension probation), concurrent sentencing"); O.T.1977, 76-5761, 13-14 (discussing "[i]f gun-wielding robber recidivist"). Dismissing cases, pre-Rawlings, line "erroneous decisions," explain passed "utterly ambiguity," appearance. tension Appeals' explanation holding: "While English, concur reasoning trigger five-year ten-year However, complexity issue, court's failure erroneous." 1351, 1358-1359 (1990). 1988 raised violators version effect ten Arguably, appellant Counts V VII. counter-appealed point, address it." 372, 374, (1991). distinguishes discussed 1955), Of textualist lead reserved offenses": other, itself always establish "offenses" indeed true, passionate defense identical. usages, class sentences. ____ (context "conviction"). lends further above, couched fortiori, "use offenses." "However, punishing lives. If, arrest conviction, warned face twenty-year again, know penalty. Having served prison, incentive stay trouble. Discouraging people released serves valuable deterring arrested knowledge law's penalties." (internal citation omitted).

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