Legal Document

508 U.S. 476 113 S.Ct. 2194 124 L.Ed.2d 436 WISCONSIN, Petitioner,v.Todd MITCHELL. No. 92-515. Argued April 21, 1993. Decided June 11, Syllabus * Pursuant to a Wisconsin statute, respondent Mitchell's sentence for aggravated battery was enhanced because he intentionally selected his victim on account of the victim's race. The State Court Appeals rejected challenge law's constitutionality, but Supreme reversed. Relying R.A.V. v. St. Paul, 505 ----, 112 2538, 120 305 it held that statute violates First Amendment by punishing what legislature has deemed be offensive thought and State's contention law punishes only conduct intentional selection. It also found unconstitutionally overbroad evidentiary use defendant's prior speech would have chilling effect those who fear they may prosecuted offenses subject penalty enhancement. Finally, distinguished antidiscrimination laws, which long been constitutional, ground prohibit objective acts discrimination, whereas state subjective mental process. Held: rights were not violated application penalty-enhancement provision in sentencing him. Pp. ____. (a) While Mitchell correctly notes this is bound court's interpretation did construe instant sense defining meaning particular word or phrase. Rather, characterized statute's practical purposes. Thus, after resolving any ambiguities meaning, form its own judgment about operative effect. argument does dispose claim, since fact remains same criminal more heavily punished if protected status than no such motive obtains. (b) In determining impose, judges traditionally considered wide variety factors addition evidence bearing guilt, including committing offense. equally true judge take into consideration abstract beliefs, however obnoxious most people, Constitution erect per se barrier admission concerning one's beliefs associations at simply are Amendment. Dawson Delaware, 503 1093, 117 309; Barclay Florida, 463 939, 103 3418, 77 1134 (plurality opinion). That involve make them inapposite. involved racial animus whether defendant death, severe "enhancement" all; primary responsibility fixing penalties. Motive plays role under as federal upheld against constitutional challenge. Nothing supra, compels different result here. ordinance issue there explicitly directed speech, while one here aimed unprotected Moreover, desire redress sees greater individual societal harm inflicted bias-inspired provides an adequate explanation over above mere disagreement with offenders' biases. (c) Because "chilling effect" free overbroad. prospect citizen suppressing bigoted will introduced him trial commits serious offense person property too speculative hypothesis support claim. permits previous declarations statements establish elements crime prove intent, rules dealing relevancy, reliability, like. Haupt United States, 330 631, 67 874, 91 L.Ed. 1145. 169 Wis.2d 153, 485 N.W.2d 807 (1992), reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. James E. Doyle, Madison, WI, petitioner. Michael R. Dreeben, Washington, DC, amicus curiae, special leave Lynn S. Adelman, Milwaukee, respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 Respondent Todd question presented case enhancement prohibited Fourteenth Amendments. We hold not. 2 On evening October 7, 1989, group young black men boys, Mitchell, gathered apartment complex Kenosha, Wisconsin. Several members discussed scene from motion picture "Mississippi Burning," white man beat boy praying. moved outside asked them: " 'Do you all feel hyped up move some people?' Brief Petitioner 4. Shortly thereafter, approached opposite side street where standing. As walked by, said: 'You want fuck somebody up? There goes boy; go get him.' Id., 4-5. counted three pointed boy's direction. ran towards boy, severely, stole tennis shoes. rendered unconscious remained coma four days. 3 After jury Circuit Kenosha County, convicted battery. Wis.Stat. §§ 939.05 940.19(1m) (1989-1990). ordinarily carries maximum two years' imprisonment. 939.50(3)(e). But had race, increased seven years § 939.645. enhances whenever "[i]ntentionally selects whom . committed religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin ancestry person. ." 939.645(1)(b).1 sentenced imprisonment 4 unsuccessfully sought postconviction relief Then appealed conviction sentence, challenging constitutionality Wisconsin's grounds.2 challenge, 163 652, 473 (1991), "violates directly thought." 163, 807, 811 (1992). "that 'conduct' selection victim." 164, N.W.2d, 812. According court, "[t]he 'because of' aspect selection, reason victim, behind selection." Ibid. (emphasis original). And "the cannot criminalize disagrees." Wis.2d, 171, 815. 5 reasoned that, order status, often introduce epithets uttered before commission This court thought, feared possibility prosecution See id., 174, 816. "subjective process" selecting laws "objective discrimination." 176, 817.3 6 granted certiorari importance existence conflict authority among high courts statutes similar provision,4 506 810, 121 683 reverse. 7 argues we Court's conclusion conduct. doubt construction statute. R.A.V., ---- - S.Ct., 2541-2542; New York Ferber, 458 747, 769, n. 24, 102 3348, 3361, 73 1113 (1982); Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 4, 69 894, 895, 93 1131 (1949). Terminiello, example, Illinois defined term 'breach peace,' city prohibiting disorderly conduct, include 'stirs public anger creates disturbance.' 895. binding us. not, strictly speaking, statutory merely "practical 166-167, 813 ("Merely refers literal selecting, mean must turn blind eye intent law—punishment thought"). assessment bind Once resolved, our 8 punish said, instead literally correct, To sure, cases reject "view apparently limitless can labeled 'speech' engaging intends thereby express idea." States O'Brien, 391 367, 376, 88 1673, 1678, 20 672 (1968); accord, U.S., 2544; Spence 418 405, 409, 94 2727, 2729, 41 842 (1974) (per curiam ); Cox Louisiana, 379 536, 555, 85 453, 464, 13 471 (1965). physical assault stretch imagination expressive Roberts Jaycees, 468 609, 628, 104 3244, 3255, 82 462 (1984) ("[V]iolence other types potentially activities produce harms distinct their communicative impact entitled protection"); NAACP Claiborne Hardware Co., 886, 916, 3409, 3427, 1215 (1982) ("The protect violence"). 9 race obtained. although motivated discriminatory point view severely engaged all. (and held) beliefs. 10 Traditionally, guilt impose defendant. Payne Tennessee, 501 111 2597, 2605, 115 720 (1991); Tucker, 404 443, 446, 92 589, 591, 30 592 (1972); Williams York, 241, 246, 1079, 1082, 1337 important factor. W. LeFave & A. Scott, Substantive Criminal Law 3.6(b), p. 324 (1986) ("Motives relevant when sets uncommon receive minimum acting good motives, rather bad motives"); cf. Tison Arizona, 481 137, 156, 107 1676, 1687, 95 127 (1987) ("Deeply ingrained legal tradition idea purposeful offense, and, therefore, ought punished"). many murder, capital pecuniary gain separate aggravating circumstance capital-sentencing See, e.g., Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. 13-703(F)(5) (1989); Fla.Stat. 921.141(5)(f) (Supp.1992); Miss.Code Ann. 99-19-101(5)(f) N.C.Gen.Stat. 15A-2000(e)(6) (1992); Wyo.Stat. 6-2-102(h)(vi) (Supp.1992). 11 taken judge. 309 Dawson, hearing member supremacist prison gang. proved nothing [the defendant's] beliefs," rights. 1098. so holding, however, emphasized Amendment." 1094. (1983) opinion), allowed victim. showed membership Black Liberation Army provoke "race war" related murder convicted. 942-944, 3421-3422. hatred [the] murder" several factors, permissibly took death. 949, 3424, 7. 12 suggests inapposite provision. permissible consider should surely Legislature decided, general matter, bias-motivated warrant penalties across board alter For lies legislature. Rummel Estelle, 445 263, 274, 100 1133, 1139, 63 382 (1980); Gore 357 386, 393, 78 1280, 1284, 1405 (1958). invalid motive, reason, acting. previously 3255; Hishon King Spalding, 467 69, 78, 2229, 2235, 81 59 (1984); Runyon McCrary, 427 160, 96 2586, 49 415 (1976). Title VII, makes unlawful employer discriminate employee "because individual's sex, origin." 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) added). Hishon, VII infringed employers' recently, 2546, cited (as well 18 242 1981 1982) example content-neutral regulation 14 decision last Term municipal 'fighting words' insult, violence, 'on basis creed, religion gender.' 2547 (quoting Paul Bias-Motivated Crime Ordinance, Minn., Legis.Code 292.02 (1990)). proscribed class "fighting words" particularly city—i.e., contain messages 'bias-motivated' hatred," rule content-based discrimination. 2547-2548. struck down expression (i.e., "speech" "messages," 2547, 15 singles out inflict harm. according amici, crimes likely retaliatory crimes, emotional victims, incite community unrest. 24-27; Amicus Curiae 13-15; Lawyers' Committee Civil Rights Under 18-22; American Liberties Union 17-19; Anti-Defamation League et al. Amici 9-10; Congressman Charles Schumer 8-9. these perceived Blackstone said ago, "it reasonable natures punished, destructive safety happiness." Blackstone, Commentaries *16. 16 speech. agreed) "overbroad" used status. Consequently, goes, impermissibly chills respect matters concerned sentences future commit covered find merit contention. 17 sort chill envisioned far attenuated unlikely contemplated traditional "overbreadth" cases. conjure vision unpopular opinions later offered thus qualifying penalty-enhancement. stay within realm rationality, put minor misdemeanor negligent operation motor vehicle (Wis.Stat. 941.01 (1989-1990)); difficult, impossible, conceive situation racially motivated. left, then, property. overbreadth Amendment, moreover, intent. Evidence commonly admitted trials Nearly half century 1145 (1947), advanced tried treason, which, (Art. III, 3), depend very much proof motive. "adherence enemy" "parental solicitude," 641, 878, Government conversations place indictment, consisted showing Haupt's sympathy Germany Hitler hostility States. improperly admitted. "[s]uch testimony scrutinized care certain expressions lawful difference government quite proper appreciation land birth," "these clearly admissible adherence enemy." 642, 879. Price Waterhouse Hopkins, 490 228, 251-252, 109 1775, 1791-1792, 268 (1989) opinion) (allowing evaluating discrimination claim); Street 394 576, 594, 89 1354, 1366-1367, 22 572 (1969). 19 foregoing reasons, therefore reversed, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. ordered. syllabus constitutes part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. At time trial, provided: "(1) If following, underlying provided sub. (2): "(a) Commits chs. 939 948. "(b) Intentionally par. damaged otherwise affected owner occupant "(2)(a) (1) Class A misdemeanor, revised fine $10,000 period year county jail. increase section changes felony years. "(c) felony, prescribed $5,000 "(3) applicable crime. shall direct trier verdict issues specified (1). "(4) apply required crime." 939.645 amended 1992, amendments case. challenged equal protection vagueness grounds. waived claim outright. (1991). declined address both claims. 158, 2, 809, renews claims developed below plainly fall certiorari, do reach either. Two justices dissented. They concluded acts, it. 181, 819 (Abrahamson, J.); 187-195, 821-825 (Bablitch, J.). enacted provisions Cal.Penal Code 422.7 (West 1988 Supp.1993); 775.085 Mont.Code 45-5-222 Vt.Stat.Ann., Tit. 13, 1455 Proposed legislation passed House Representatives H.R. 4797, 102d Cong., 2d Sess. failed pass Senate, 2522, divided analogous covering offenses. Compare, Plowman, 314 Or. 157, 838 P.2d 558 (1992) (upholding Oregon statute), Wyant, 64 Ohio St.3d 566, 597 N.E.2d 450 (striking statute); statute). violence rise throughout National Asian Pacific Legal Consortium 5-11; 4-7; Atlanta 3-12. 1990, Congress Hate Crimes Statistics Act, Pub.L. 101-275, 1(b)(1), Stat. 140, codified 28 534 (note) (1988 ed., Supp. III), directing Attorney General compile data "about manifest prejudice based ethnicity." Federal Bureau Investigation reported January 1993, 4,558 1991, 1,614 incidents intimidation, 1,301 vandalism, 796 simple assaults, 773 murders. Crown Heights Coalition 1A-7A.

Classification Label: 2