Legal Document

495 U.S. 575 110 S.Ct. 2143 109 L.Ed.2d 607 Arthur Lajuane TAYLOR, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 88-7194. Argued Feb. 28, 1990. Decided May 29, Syllabus When respondent Taylor pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by convicted felon in violation 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), he had four prior convictions, including two for second-degree burglary under Missouri law. The Government sought apply 924(e), which, inter alia, (1) provides sentence enhancement "person" 922(g) who "has three previous convictions . violent felony," and (2) defines "violent felony" as "(B) any crime punishable imprisonment term exceeding one year" that "(i) has an element the use, attempted or threatened use physical force against [another's] person," "(ii) is [or other specified offenses] otherwise involves conduct presents serious potential risk injury another." In imposing enhanced upon Taylor, District Court rejected his contention that, because did not present 924(e)(2)(B)(ii), they should count. Appeals affirmed, ruling word "burglary" 924(e)(2)(B)(ii) "means 'burglary' however state chooses define it." Held: An offense constitutes 924(e) if, regardless its exact definition label, it basic elements "generic" burglary—i.e., unlawful unprivileged entry into, remaining in, building structure, with intent commit crime—or if charging paper jury instructions actually required find all generic order convict defendant. Pp. 581-602. (a) convicting State's cannot control word's meaning since would allow identical different States turn whether particular happened call "burglary." That result 924(e)'s omission contained version statute absent clear indication Congress intended deletion abandon general approach using uniform categorical definitions predicate offenses. "Burglary" must have some independent labels used various States' criminal codes. Cf. United v. Nardello, 393 286, 293-294, 89 534, 538-539, 21 487. 590-592. (b) Nor limited common-law "burglary"—i.e., breaking entering dwelling at night felony. Since been expanded most include without "breaking," structures than dwellings, daytime offenses, crimes felonies, etc., modern little common ancestor. Moreover, specific congressional intent, so obviously ill suited statutory purpose controlling career offenders be read into 924(e). definition's arcane distinctions relevance law enforcement concerns, and, few now recognized burglaries fall within definition, adoption come close nullifying effect Under these circumstances, rule lenity does require definition. 592-596. (c) Section those involve especially dangerous conduct, such first-degree aggravated burglaries. If were Congress' there no reason add provision already includes "involves risk" harm persons. It more likely thought offenses often presented personal committed criminals included even though, considered solely terms their elements, do necessarily threat person. choice unqualified language "is involves" indicates ordinary burglaries, well involving included. 596-597. (d) There thus being plausible alternative, meant sense which fact this practically omitted irrelevant. was explicitly replaced narrower one, legislative history discloses alternative ever discussed. therefore implies, most, simply wish specify formulation. 598-599. (e) sentencing court generally adopt formal applying provision, looking only conviction offense, rather underlying facts. required, since, when context, 924(e)(2)(B)(ii)'s burglary" phrase refers facts defendant's conduct; reveals offenses; elaborate factfinding process regarding impracticable unfair. approach, however, still permit go beyond mere narrow range cases indictment information though defendant defining broader terms. 599-602. (f) judgment vacated case remanded further proceedings, time Taylor's but statutes burglary, apparent from sparse record bases convictions. P. 602. 864 F.2d 625, (CA 8 1989) remanded. BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, JJ., joined, Part II SCALIA, joined. filed concurring part judgment, post, p. 603. Bruce Dayton Livingston, J. Bennett Clark, St. Louis, Mo., petitioner. Michael R. Lazerwitz, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACKMUN Court. 1 we are called determine 1402 Subtitle I (the Career Criminals Amendment Act 1986) Anti-Drug Abuse 1986, This (unlawful firearm) types 2 * person previously felony possess firearm. A 922(g)(1) subject sentence-enhancement issue, 924(e): 3 "(1) violates section title drug both shall fined $25,000 imprisoned less fifteen years. 4 "(2) As subsection— 5 ..... 6 'violent felony' means year that— 7 another; arson, extortion, explosives, 9 January 1988, Eastern Missouri, petitioner count felon, 922(g)(1). At plea, One robbery, assault, law.1 10 conceded robbery assault properly could counted enhancement, involved persons, 924(e)(2)(B)(i). contended, "conduct another," 924(e)(2)(B)(ii). His plea conditioned on right appeal issue. pursuant 924(e)(1), sentenced 15 years' possibility parole. 11 Eighth Circuit, divided vote, affirmed sentence. ruled it," err enhance 627 (1989). majority relied court's earlier decision Portwood, 857 1221 (1988), cert. denied, 490 1069, 2073, 104 638 We granted certiorari, 493 889, 231, 107 183 (1989), resolve conflict among Courts concerning purposes 924(e).2 12 given single accepted courts; codes many ways. See Hill, 863 1575, 1582, n. (CA11 (surveying number statutes). On face federal readily mean whatever State applied seeks enhancement. And applied, traditional definition,3 articulated Model Penal Code predecessor specifically tailored statute? 13 Before examining possibilities, think helpful review background Six years ago, enacted first provision. Armed Criminal 1984, Pub.L. 98-473, ch. 18, 98 Stat. 2185, U.S.C.App. 1202(a) (1982 ed., Supp. III) (repealed 1986 99-308, 104(b), 100 459), found firearm, "for burglary," receive mandatory minimum Burglary defined itself "any consisting surreptitiously property another engage constituting Federal offense." 1202(c)(9). 14 supplement efforts "career" criminals. House Report accompanying explained "large percentage" theft violence "are very small percentage repeat offenders," frequently H.R.Rep. 98-1073, pp. 1, (1984) (H.Rep.); see also S.Rep. 98-190, (1983) (S.Rep.), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 3182. quoted sponsor legislation, Senator Specter, "most damaging society" "invasion [victims'] homes workplaces, privacy, loss valued possessions." H.Rep., 3, 3663. Similarly, Senate stated "the street crimes," "[w]hile sometimes viewed non-violent crime, character can change rapidly, depending fortuitous presence occupants home burglar enters, arrival while premises." S.Rep., 4-5. explanation why chose 1202 appears Report: 16 "Because wide variation states localities ways labeled, absence raised culpable might escape punishment technicality. For instance, requirement during nighttime respect dwelling. However, Act, limitations appropriate. Furthermore, fundamental fairness, ensure, extent consistent prerogatives own same type level cases." 20. 17 recodified Firearms Owners' Protection 104, 458. amended slightly, replacing words and. ." Only five months later, again amended, form, 3207-39. amendment effected changes taken together, give rise problem case. triggering "robbery "a offense"; "burglary"; deleted pre-existing burglary. 19 silent deleting reveal, 1986. Two bills proposed; current emerged compromise. bill, introduced Specter Representative Wyden, provided "crime violence" toward "an "that, nature, substantial may course committing S. 2312, 99th Cong., 2d Sess. (1986); H.R. 4639, (1986). second Representatives Hughes McCollum, took restricting 4768, 20 2312 Senate, half, successful classification robberies 'career criminal,' broaden greater sweep effective important statute." 132 Cong.Rec. 7697 hearings bills, witnesses reiterated concerns prompted original enactment 1984: large proportion offenders, inadequacy prosecutorial resources address problem. Legislation: Hearing 4639 4768 before Subcommittee Crime Committee Judiciary, (1986) (House Hearing); Amendments: Law (Senate Hearing). issue consideration uniformly referred "expanding" Hearing, ("[A]ll us want legislation dealers") (statement Wyden); id., ("I agree expand offenses") Hughes); Deputy Assistant Attorney General James Knapp); 32-33 Lyons, President-elect National Association Defense Lawyers); 44 Specter); ("The seems ripe quarters, Department Justice, armed bill Edward G. Dennis, Jr.); David Dart Queen Treasury); 49 55 Ronald D. Castille, Attorney, Philadelphia). Witnesses criticized excluding crimes, pointing out whom aimed specialize hope least felonies included"; "people make full-time hundreds burglaries") (statements 49-53 Mr. Castille). testimony Knapp focused offense. He "such offenses" "inadvertently narrow[ing] scope Act," went say: "Now question raised, well, what included? think, course; arson; extortion; explosives 22 "The like arson—that's fine statutes—but lot newer explosive don't covers them, something committee careful about coming up final language. 23 "It property—which inherently dangerous—that offenses." 15. 24 response justification retaining "your typical burglar," "even potentially you take your residential professional commercial danger people inadvertently Id., 26. qualified remarks, saying: "Obviously, consider, misdemeanor technical anything that." Ibid. 25 put next witness, Lyons. witness replied: 26 "When going back really was, get hold profit motive recidivist criminal. NACDL 38. 27 prepared statement Subcommittee, noted "would appear encompass "[i]f concludes accept retreat law, suggest preservation accomplished substituting all-inclusive 'crime violence' proposed 4639." 34. 28 hand, seen too broad. ("[I]t prioritize ("[T]he answer probably lies somewhere between bills") Knapp). hearing concluded Hughes, 4768: 29 "Frankly, arguments 30 "My leanings leave alone; existing law; statute. enough. talking carried criminal, mechanism weapon. So average run-of-the-mill necessarily, somebody illegally possesses transferred firearm." 41. 31 After hearing, drafted compromise 4885. 32 33 34 4885 favorably reported Judiciary. 99-849 explained: 35 held consider (robbery burglary) effectiveness. consensus developed support expansion trafficking generally. concept encompassed adding [certain felonies. 36 major 'violent' agreed others. will similar where person" (emphasis original). 3. 37 finally enacted, added above-quoted subsection (ii) critical case: ". added). 38 Some useful observations drawn. First, throughout offenders—those fairly livelihood, who, weapons, concern (Only restricted persons.) 39 singled (as opposed larceny auto theft) inclusion 1984 inherent offender enters creates confrontation occupant, caretaker, comes investigate. offender's awareness necessary carry plans escape. apparently enough constituted category shared never proposal limit special subclass dangerous, armed, occupied, occurs night.4 40 Second, always embodied designation statute, "robbery" itself, left vagaries §§ 1202(c)(8) (9) (1982, ed. III). Thus, triggered having certain labeled laws conviction. Each versions forward extending characteristics—the force, used—regardless how 41 Third, shows Congress, time, mind view roughly corresponding F.2d, 5. adopting prevented invoking technicalities evade protected unfairness depend label employed 42 Nothing dissatisfied All reports undisputed. debate centered so, ones. reached included, over proper 4885, implication, seemingly explicit provision's implied coverage 43 whole suggests inadvertent casualty complex drafting process.5 event, nothing show replace entirely different. Although reject INS Cardoza-Fonseca, 480 421, 432, 1207, 1213, 94 434 (1987); Russello States, 464 16, 23, 296, 300, 78 (1983), draw inference here. abandoned designating uniform, capture seriousness thereof, III 45 These enable possible meanings A. 46 led implausible adopted would, not, sentenceen hancement based exactly 47 example, Michigan formally classifies several grades "breaking entering." Mich.Comp.Laws 750.110 (1979). contrast, California broadly shoplifting goods "locked" unoccupied automobile. Cal.Penal Ann. 459 (West Supp.1990); Chatman, 869 525, 528-529, (CA9 (entry through unsecured window auto, store open public theft, law); Tex.Penal 30.01-30.05 (1989 Supp.1990) (defining coin-operated vending machine automobile); Leonard, 868 1393, 1395, (CA5 1989), pending, 88-1885. 48 imprudent shoplift steal automobile found, Ninth Circuit's view, purposes—yet not. Without identify interpret way leads odd results kind. Dickerson New Banner Institute, Inc., 460 103, 119-120, 103 986, 995-996, 74 845 (absent plain contrary, construed application dependent "because nationwide times program impaired control"); Turley, 352 407, 411, 77 397, 399, 430 (1957) ("[I]n incorporate diverse law"). Court's interpreting "extortion" Travel 1952, instructive: 50 "Appellees argue extortion combined prohibit compels conclusion peculiar terminology controlling. fallacy assumption reference incorporated aid local officials, eradicate extortionate activities denominated extortion. Giving classifications 1952 appellees' Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, deny Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin although each prohibits activities." 487 (1969). 51 B 52 Appeals, 2, supra, incorporates relying maxim presumed meaning. Morissette 342 246, 263, 72 240, 249, 96 L.Ed. 288 (1952). appeal, core, denominator, contemporary usage term. Almost night, felony, Whatever else Members thinking of, presumably "classic" 53 understanding diverged long commonlaw roots. retain closely resembling it.6 Most daytime, etc. LaFave Scott, 8.13(a) (f), 464-475. development, "when totality, resulted ancestor except burglary." 8.13(g), 476. 54 Also, comport embedded concerns.7 unlikely immersed intensely practical decided modern, revert ancient English law—a mentioned nowhere history. construing term's argued, course, large, "potential But, assuming restrict rational doing so. occupied crime. building, seem pose far persons unarmed nocturnal house. latter, former, counting towards purposes. 56 declined follow meaning, obsolete inconsistent statute's purpose. Perrin 444 37, 311, 62 199 (1979), argument "bribery" because, 1961 passed, 57 'bribery' extended early definitions. bribery individuals acting private capacity. passed. 58 59 floor debates made attempt 'bribery,' meaning" (footnote omitted). 45, S.Ct., 315-316. 60 reason, bribery, Congress." 49, 317. (1969), "extortion," 289, 536, interpretation Act's curb organized 293, 538. "unnaturally reading," defendants' acts fell Act." 539. Bell 462 356, 362, 2398, 2402, 76 (common-law limitation "larceny" Bank Robbery "[t]he goal protecting bank assets distinction [the defendant] relies"); U.S., 416-417, 402-403 (application Motor Vehicle Theft "situations larceny" "[p]rofessional thieves resort innumerable forms meet need action effectively loopholes wholesale evasion"). 61 Petitioner argues lenity—that statutes, provisions, favor accused. Bifulco 447 381, 387, 2247, 2252, 65 205 (1980); Simpson 435 6, 14-15, 909, 913-914, 70 (1978). construction, dictate nor odds 13, 317, 13. C narrowing construction "burglary," statute: 63 "Burglary Brief 29. 64 examples fit points aggravated-burglary building; deadly weapon; causing threatening 4, supra. avoids arbitrariness state-law manner congruent petitioner's proposal, reasons. supported essentially asserts whose above But assume enacting explanation, history, categories crimes—namely explosives—so criminals, 66 realized commonly understood offender, force. making them sufficiently "serious D 67 either conduct. limiting constructions dictated lenity. 596. believe States. Perrin, 315; 536. 68 formulations vary, generic, contains following elements: crime.8 Scott 8.13(a), 466 (modern "generally unprivileged"); 8.13(c), 471 "typically describe place 'building' 'structure' "); 8.13(e), 474 prevailing do"). 69 one; seen, mind. formulation conclude IV 71 remains varies e.g., problem, implies adopted, minor variations terminology, then trial corresponds substance above, broadly, eliminating unlawful, places, automobiles machines, buildings. Missouri's booth tent, boat vessel, railroad car." Mo.Rev.Stat. 560.070 (1969) (repealed). correspond whether, nongenericburglary seek ground burglary.9 73 requires look evidence crimes. mandates 529; Headspeth, 852 753, 758-759 (CA4 1988); Vidaure, 861 1337, 1340 1988), 489 1088, 1551, 854 (1989); Sherbondy, 865 996, 1006-1010 1988). reasoning persuasive. supports falling categories, 924(e)(1) convictions" for—not committed—three 924(e)(2)(B)(i) element"—not case, involves—the Read conviction, 75 said, considerable kinds suggested surely difficulties factual daunting. alleges actual was. cases, reveal theory theories jury. Government's proof indicate Would permitted introduce transcript court, available, witnesses? Could defense returned verdict finding burglary? conclude, record, challenge abridging trial? guilty, Even able prove facts, lesser, nonburglary bargain, unfair impose rest offense.10 charged convict, allowed substantially 79 former Despite vacate remand proceedings opinion. 80 ordered. judgment. 81 join II, examines great detail examination uncover (i.e., tempts alter deduce text anyway), usual consequence inquiries (and good thing, too). What noteworthy, hard understand done useful. says, correctly, modified Ante, 596, 598. constricted venerable canon ambiguous sundry statements, testimony, incunabula discusses. Is conceivable displays, extensive punitive domain lenity), one? lenity, bringing once trouble. 82 discern devoting pages today's consideration. better demonstrating our conscientiousness. courts 1963 1971. years, seven varied structure involved. 560.045 (breaking house); 560.050 (having entered house, it); 560.055 560.060 inner door); booth, boat, car); 560.075 bank); 560.080 vacant building). 1979, 569.170 (1986), commits knowingly unlawfully inhabitable therein." Notice Punishment Enhancement submitted convictions; degree. App. 6-7. See, 1393 (burglary according 625 (CA8 (this case—same); 525 burglary); 753 1988) (same); Palmer, 871 (CA3), 890, 233, 185 (1989) met 924(e)); 882 1018 (CA6 Dombrowski, 877 520 (CA7 1575 Patterson, 595 (CA1 (case-by-case inquiry another). house felony." W. Substantive 8.13, (LaFave Scott). Blackstone, Commentaries 224. 8.13(f), (g), 475-478. October 5, 1989, passed 1711, 101st 1st Sess., 924(e)(2) 135 23613 introducing Biden "corrects error occurred reenacts 23519. pending House. Md.Ann.Code, Art. 27, Mass.Gen.Laws, 266, (1988); Miss.Code 97-17-19 (1972); W.Va.Code 61-3-11 (1990). Consider Blackstone's exposition burglary: day: day justifiable homicide, much heinous attack day; allowing party attacked kill assailant impunity. reckoned day, purpose: anciently accounted begin sun-rising, end immediately sun-set; be, daylight crepusculum enough, begun left, man's withal, extend moonlight; midnight unpunished: besides, malignity offence arise dark, dead night; creation, beasts prey, rest; sleep disarmed owner, rendered castle defenceless." *224. *224—*228 "mansion -house," entering, felony). approximates drafters Code: "A separately secured portion therein, unless premises actor licensed privileged enter." American 221.1 (1980). Our "burglaries" free offense—including burglary—should "otherwise another" available increase Sentencing Guidelines.

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