Legal Document

489 U.S. 794 109 S.Ct. 1494 103 L.Ed.2d 879 MIDLAND ASPHALT CORPORATION and Albert C. Litteer, Petitionersv.UNITED STATES. No. 87-1905. Argued Jan. 17, 1989. Decided March 28, Syllabus Petitioners moved to dismiss a federal indictment against them on the ground, inter alia, that prosecution had violated Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e)(2)—which generally prohibits public disclosure by Government attorneys "matters occurring before grand jury"—by filing, in separate criminal case, memorandum disclosing matters jury this case. After District Court enied motion, Appeals granted Government's motion petitioners' appeal for lack jurisdiction ground Court's order was not an immediately appealable "final decision" under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. The court rejected contention United States v. Mechanik, 475 66, 106 938, 89 50, which held alleged violation 6(d) rendered harmless beyond reasonable doubt petit jury's guilty verdict, would render orders sort "effectively unreviewable from final judgment," Coopers & Lybrand Livesay, 437 463, 468, 98 2454, 2458, 57 351 collateral exception judgment rule. Held: A district denying defendant's 6(e) is Since petitioners have yet been sentenced, ending litigation merits. Moreover, whatever view taken scope Mechanik (an issue resolved here), such as at does satisfy stringent requirements test. There no merit are unreviewable" once trial has because they pertain right merely be convicted, but tried all. Neither text nor Grand Jury Clause Fifth Amendment affords (in sense relevant doctrine) event secrecy. Pp. 798-802. 840 F.2d 1040 (CA2 1988), affirmed. SCALIA, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Richard James Braun petitioners. Lawrence S. Robbins respondent. Justice SCALIA 1 6(e)(2) jury" except certain specified circumstances. This case presents question whether appealable. 2 * On January 23, 1987, Western New York returned Midland Asphalt Corporation, business engaged sale liquid bituminous material used resurface roads, Midland's president part owner. Sherman Act, 26 Stat. 209, amended, 15 1, conspiring with other unindicted persons allocate contracts submit collusive bids State counties western York. July 21, grounds included prosecutors 6(e)(2). 3 Petitioners' allegations arose following facts: When ultimately Act sitting, another company investigation brought suit seeking pay cost compliance subpoenas. In re Subpoenas Corp. Krantz Co., Civ. 85-633E (WDNY, Feb. 12, 1985) (In ). action filed asking compel retain its rough notes witness interviews. response, it agreed reports prepared personnel during road-paving business. Approximately one year later, defendants also involving asphalt contract bid rigging State, Allegany Bitumens, Inc., Crim. 86-59C Apr. 14, 1986), similar require preserve interview notes. Again agreeing do so, noting already made commitment Court, attaching copy earlier 4 present publicly "disclose[d] Specifically, disclosed nature focus investigation, name witness, fact testify individual document custodian Midland. Finding 6(e)(2), denied indictment. 5 Second Circuit, jurisdiction, contending declining responded decision 50 (1986), we make motions indictments based violations (1978), hence doctrine, see ibid. 6(d), subsection exists primarily "to protect person being indicted absence probable cause," 1040, 1046 (1988), whereas serves different function "protect[ing] society's interest keeping secret identity witnesses investigation," It concluded "Mechanik [would not] preclud[e] appeals exercising post-trial review 6(e)," ibid., denials therefore should granted. 6 We certiorari resolve disagreement among Courts Appeals.1 487 1217, 108 2869, 101 905 (1988). II 7 Judiciary 1789, 73, First Congress established principle only judgments decrees" courts may reviewed appeal. Id., 84. statute changed little since then: 1291 today provides "shall all decisions . where direct Supreme Court." For purposes provision, normally deemed occurred "until there 'ends merits leaves nothing execute judgment.' " Van Cauwenberghe Biard, 486 517, 521, 1945, 1949, 100 517 quoting Catlin States, 324 229, 233, 65 631, 633, L.Ed. 911 (1945). cases, appellate until after conviction imposition sentence. Flanagan 465 259, 263, 104 1051, 1054, 79 288 (1984); Berman 302 211, 212, 58 164, 166, 82 204 (1937). even tried, much less convicted or plain their falls within prohibition. 8 Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 69 1221, 93 1528 (1949), carved out narrow normal application rule, come known doctrine. considers judgments," though "end merits," "which finally determine claims from, to, rights asserted action, too important independent cause itself deferred whole adjudicated." 546, S.Ct., 1225. To fall limited class orders, must (1) "conclusively disputed question," (2) "resolve completely action," (3) "be effectively judgment." supra, 2458. 9 interpreted "with utmost strictness" cases. Flanagan, 265, 1054. Although numerous opportunities 40 years consider appealability prejudgment found three types appealable: reduce bail, Stack Boyle, 342 72 96 (1951), double jeopardy grounds, Abney 431 651, 97 2034, 52 651 (1977), Speech Debate Clause, Helstoski Meanor, 442 500, 99 2445, 61 30 (1979). These decisions, along far more ones refused permit interlocutory appeals, manifest general rule third prong test satisfied involves "an legal practical value destroyed if were vindicated trial." MacDonald, 435 850, 860, 1547, 1552, 56 18 (1978). 10 difficulty concluding our "stringent conditions qualification order." 270, 1057. Whether will reviewable conviction, below held, F.2d, 1046, matter law Ninth Circuit decided, Benjamin, 812 548, 553 (1987), fails two set Lybrand. If extended can accordingly provide basis reversal appeal, obvious Lybrand, U.S., If, hand, applied bar postconviction 6(e), purpose same namely, "protec[t] danger defendant required defend charge believe him guilty," 70, 941, demonstrably avoided whenever verdict trial. latter analysis correct, however, cannot said rather involve "considerations enmeshed dispute," Cauwenberghe, 528, 1952, "affect affected DiBella 369 121, 126, 654, 657, 614 (1962) (emphasis added). Thus, takes need 11 attempt avoid reasoning suggesting sort, theoretically unreviewable," "the [is] trial," 1552—namely, "on whose indict substantially influenced government's 6(e)." Brief Petitioner 24. agree. true deprivation satisfies requirement See supra; supra. One careful, play word games concept "right tried." sense, any give rise tried" failure observe requires terminate But assuredly 12 "Certainly, dismissal proper remedy when Sixth speedy mean enjoys 'right tried' safegu rded review. Dismissal sanction immunity prosecution, his defective, or, usually, evidence seized Fourth Amendment. Obviously, led conclude pursue appeals." n. 7, 7. 13 "crucial distinction between charges." Hollywood Motor Car 458 269, 102 3081, 3085, 73 754 (1982). rests upon explicit statutory constitutional guarantee occur—as Double Jeopardy ("nor shall subject offence twice put life limb"), ("[F]or either House, [the Senators Representatives] questioned Place"), Constitution 14 contains hint governmental prescriptions gives stand sure, last Term Bank Nova Scotia 250, 2369, 2378, 228 authority circumstances 6(e). just noted, here. As Amendment, reads follows: "No answer capital, otherwise infamous crime, unless presentment Jury." That indeed confer pertinent sense) Undoubtedly common-law protections traditionally associated attach provision—including requisite secrecy proceedings. saying every those protections, like itself, tried. self-incrimination trigger Clause's Lawn 355 339, 349, 78 311, 317, 321 (1958). Only defect so fundamental causes longer jury, indictment, An isolated breach traditional so. 16 17 these reasons, correct grant Affirmed. read forbid (1987). Third, Tenth, Eleventh Circuits narrowly "technical" 6, calling into "fundamental fairness" proceedings, type Johns, 858 154, 159-160 (CA3 1988); Taylor, 798 1337, 1340 (CA10 1986); Kramer, 864 99, (CA11 1988). First, Seventh, olumbia pursuant insufficiently fit small eligible LaRouche Campaign, 829 253-254 (CA1 1987); Daniels, 848 758, 760 (CA7 Poindexter, 273 U.S.App.D.C. 240, 245-246, 859 216, 221-222

Classification Label: 8