Legal Document

454 U.S. 370 102 Supreme Court Reporter 703 70 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 556 Terrell Don HUTTO, Director, Virginia State Department of Corrections, et al.v.Roger Trenton DAVIS. Number 81-23. Jan. 11, 1982. Rehearing Denied March 22, See 455 1038, 1742. PER CURIAM. 1 On October 26, 1973, law enforcement officers raided respondent's home and seized approximately nine ounces marihuana assorted drug paraphernalia. Several days before the raid, had tape-recorded a transaction in which respondent sold other controlled substances to police informant. With aid evidence tape recording, was convicted state court possession with intent distribute distribution marihuana. The jury imposed fine $10,000 prison term 20 years on each two counts, terms run consecutively. At time conviction, authorized fines up $25,000 not less than 5 nor more 40 for offenses. Davis versus Davis, 585 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1226, 1229 (CA4 1978). 2 After exhausting direct appeal, brought habeas action District Western Virginia, asserting that 40-year sentence so grossly disproportionate crime possessing it constituted cruel unusual punishment as proscribed by Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. Court, relying primarily upon four factors set forth Hart Coiner, 483 136 1973), cert. denied, 415 938, 94 1454, 39 495 (1974), agreed: 3 "After examining nature offense, legislative purpose behind punishment, Commonwealth offenses, actually same or similar offenses this must necessarily conclude forty twenty thousand dollars is out proportion severity crimes constitute violation Amendment Constitution." Zahradnick, 432 F.Supp. 444, 453 (1977). 4 Accordingly, issued writ corpus. A panel Appeals Fourth Circuit reversed. supra. correctly noted "has never found within limits statute be, itself, punishment," F.2d, at 1229, held failed show his sentence, light known jury1 sufficiently extraordinary violate Id., 1233. decision short-lived. Sitting en banc, reheard case and, "for reasons stated district judge opinion," affirmed award relief. 601 153, 154 (1979). We granted certiorari, vacated judgment Appeals, remanded reconsideration our Rummel Estelle, 445 263, 100 1133, 63 382 (1980). Sub nom. Hutto 947, 1593, 782 again an equally divided vote. 646 123 (1981). Because heed Rummel, we now reverse. 6 petitioner sentenced life imprisonment under Texas recidivist being third felony: obtaining $120.75 false pretenses. He previously been passing forged check amount $28.36, fraudulently using credit card obtain $80 worth goods services. U.S., 265-266, S.Ct., 1135-1136. Like case, argued length "grossly disproportionate" he violated ban In rejecting argument, distinguished between punishments—such death penalty—which their very differ from all forms conventionally accepted punishments others only duration. This distinction based factors. First, "Court's judgments should neither be appear merely subjective views individual Justices." 275, 1140. And second, excessiveness one compared another invariably determination, there no clear way make "any constitutional shorter longer years." Ibid. Thus, concluded "one could argue without fear contradiction any concededly classified classifiable felonies, . purely matter prerogative." 274, 1139. Rummel's did punishment. 7 As mentioned above, unconstitutional applying four-part test also relied lower-court dissenters implicitly disapproved rejection dissenters' view. Not expressly recognize primary opposing authority, 267, 269, 1135, 1136, but opinion its "objective" factors.2 Court's grant relief clearly guided these factors, erred affirming. 8 short, stands proposition federal courts "reluctan[t] review legislatively mandated imprisonment," id. 1139, "successful challenges proportionality particular sentences" "exceedingly rare," 272, 1138.3 By affirming after sanctioned intrusion into basic line-drawing process "properly province legislatures, courts." 275-276, 1139-1140. More importantly, however, viewed having ignored, consciously unconsciously, hierarchy system created Constitution Congress. Admittedly, Members decide cases "by virtue commissions, competence." arguments may made whether present distinguishable, except facts, Rummel. But unless wish anarchy prevail judicial system, precedent followed lower how misguided judges those think be. 9 petition certiorari granted, reversed, instructions dismiss petition. 10 It ordered. 11 Justice POWELL, concurring judgment. 12 holds countenances $20,000 said have street value about $200. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions view unjust offense. Nevertheless, below reluctantly (1980), controlling facts us. join only. 13 * met Eads prison. During Eads' confinement, wife become user. Concerned development effect 2-year-old child, offered cooperate "to assist exposure arrest supplying drugs illicit distributor area, including who identified active dealer Wythe County." 1228 14 furlough prison, told wished buy himself some mutual friends currently Shortly thereafter, went Davis' where three $74. gave "drug pills included L.S.D. drug." raid later uncovered six marihuana, scales, 15 guilty both distributing distribute. count, received years' fine. These sentences were consecutive basis. corpus because "so ."1 reversed supra, reinstated rehearing banc.2 supra.3 vote affirmed.4 II 16 sole authority today relies Estelle. decided Amendment's proscription punishments5 transgressed imposition recidivist's felony, nonviolent fraud involving $125. observed, however: "This say principle [viz., are unconstitutional] would come play extreme example dissent, post, 288, if legislature overtime parking felony punishable imprisonment." n. 11. 17 therefore reject long settled cases.6 take such restricted that—in future—appellate courts, duty bound follow often will compelled accept arguably unusual. 18 recognize, course, normally prerogative, trial responsibility determine appropriate sentence—within limits—in circumstances case. Review sentencing generally function appellate review. Yet, justice always has recognized do responsibility—expressed principle—not shut eyes manifestly unjust. criticism exercising reaching here today. 19 There features distinguish identify briefly. first letter Attorney successfully prosecuted Davis. full below.7 solicited lawyer, commenced serve term. One can say, obtained prosecutor second thoughts justness sought trial. give little weight letter. here, thoughtful letter, advance non-frivolous reason conclusion "gross injustice." referred "grave disparity sentencing" comparable "Commonwealth [of Virginia] nation."8 important factor distinguishes Legislature 1979. then reduced maximum penalty count regardless aggravating circumstances. Va.Code § 18.2-248.1(a)(2) (Supp.1981) 18.2-10(e) (1975). half received. sets maximum, takes relevant account. reduction—five conviction prosecutor's letter—evidences Virginia's small amounts justify sentence.9 Although change retroactive, most authoritative source valid. III 21 Based comparative relatively minor degree criminality, affirmance justified. conclude, requires reversal. dealt well. willing sell use inmates "probably well inmate left alone infant child." drug-related offense.10 comparison, offenses—three frauds almost trifling sums money—were far serious. moreover, severe Davis'. unable show—by means statutory comparisons—that suffer greater disproportionality did. Compare 452-453 (WD Va.1977), 296-302, 1150-1154. 22 illustrate seriousness mature systems. Sentencing country results varying among States. Rather, nation size vested—as be—in good deal inevitable. Effort minimize this, least state-by-state basis, certainly continued. Nor reform respect addressed prevent excessive penalties. occurs frequently, fully justified, when persons violence, serious given disproportionately disparate comparison sentences. just account paramount interest society protected criminal conduct right fairly according law. 23 Court. 24 BRENNAN, whom MARSHALL STEVENS join, dissenting. 25 increasingly alarming penchant inappropriately invoke power summary disposition evident benefit briefing oral precluded holding subjected 26 considered application habitual offender William Amendment. prescribed mandatory following charge. became subject provision pretenses, earlier occasions, felonies law: 1964 services, 1969 $28.36. amounted Amendment, applied through see Robinson California, 660, 667, 82 1417, 758 (1962). rejected attack. While noting prerogative," adopted much narrower basis decision, that, context Texas' statute, served legitimate interests deterring recidivism segregating offenders "from rest extended period time." 284, 1144. ground chosen, unnecessary if, absence "merely pretenses." 276, respect: 27 "[T]he simply making unlawful acquisition person's property; addition interest, expressed statutes, dealing harsher manner repeated acts shown they incapable conforming norms established conceding validity statutes generally, concedes Texas, State, valid class persons." 28 Relying per curiam suggests legislature, grounds, "sanctioned 'properly courts.' " Ante, 374, quoting Even properly decided, not, curiam, suggesting improper engage analysis, represents expansion acknowledged prior decisions see, e.g., Ingraham Wright, 430 651, 97 1401, 1410, 51 711 (1977); Trop Dulles, 356 86, 78 590, 630 (1958) (plurality opinion); Weems States, 217 349, 30 544, 54 L.Ed. 793 (1910), includes invalidation crime," 271-272, 1138. overrule cited them approvingly.1 rests understanding consequence overwhelming offenders, does preclude imposing what might otherwise determined offender. Of instant punish offender, determination one. 29 nevertheless reverses "Rummel 'reluctan[t] imprisonment' 'successful sentences' 'exceedingly rare.' 272 1139-1138. general deference surely cannot complete abdication enforce question presented comports limitation contained To reverse demonstrate why rare" invalidates disproportionate. engages analysis.2 sure, directed reconsider undertake analysis—upon substantial record, briefs. obvious me, apparently five invalidated grounds. indications marihuana—40 $20,000—is harsh, painful excess defendants noted, 31 "From 31, 1975 August, 1976 hundred seventeen (117) committed Corrections possessing, selling, manufacturing marijuana. average months, minimum sixty days, fifteen Va.1977). 32 Second, unique charges against forced concede experience sentencing," continued incarceration "is unjust."3 Finally, subsequent action, indicated too severe: 1979 convicted. (Supp.1981); Under current could, imprisonment—two 10-year terms. reappraisal render substantially plainly confirms below, share, inflicted unconstitutionally unsupported committed.4 Coker Georgia, 433 584, 597, 2861, 2868, 53 982 (1977) opinion) ("[T]he capital rape strongly own judgment, indeed raping adult woman"). 101, 598 ("The [Eighth] draw meaning evolving standards decency mark progress maturing society."). For reasons, below—that punishment—is unreasonable one.5 33 Today's profoundly disturbing misused order place imprimatur determined, ample justification, unusual, yet instance "growing inexplicable readiness 'dispose of' summarily." Harris Rivera, 339, 460, 466, 530 (MARSHALL, J., dissenting). am, cognizant ever-increasing docket, pressure accelerate process. believe papers proper response pressure6 where, employed extend significant respects. Here, decisions, concrete opinion. court, opinion; accordingly statement correcting. perceives narrow ruling concerning new terrain necessary exertion argument briefing. Unfortunately, Roger pains insensitivity, balance below. dissent patent abuse power.7 during recording transaction, demonstrated dealer, knew knowingly smuggled inmate's imprisoned past. 1227-1228. Applying "no element violence minimal, debatable danger person." 452 "the presence affect strength society's punishing criminal." calls examination purposes existence restrictive effectuating purposes. inconclusive, involved ounces, implying minimal adequately deterred F.Supp., 452. Such analysis 'small' money taken" inapposite, acknowledge stealing virtually lines drawn 'subjective,' factor, exceeded available offense eight 452-453. stating "[a]bsent constitutionally uniformity inimical traditional notions federalism, bear treating severely State." 282, 1143. fourth led applicable 453. "[o]ther implicate societal interests, inherently speculative." 27, 1143, 27. situations play, "if 153 1979). 1981). "Excessive bail shall required, imposed, inflicted." E.g., (1910). attorney reads follows: confirm recent telephone conversation wherein advised pose objection release Mr. penal suspended "Heretofore, steadfastly opposed release. However, throughout majority extremely insignificant. such, gross injustice done recommend immediate remainder suspended. "I my recommendation construed critical asked heavier imposed. citizens county softened toward I, token condone grave sentencing. community, jury, correct approach problem. wrong assessment, enable me continue ignore perpetuated confinement. My [conscience] dictates lack semblance problem, Davis's trust fair content conversation, hope you please advise me." Letter Feb. 28, 1977 (emphasis added). parties stipulated testified "with Petitioner marijuana-related testimony comport contents attached ." Supplemental Stipulation Fact, Mar. 18, 1977. prepared study over 91/2-month 1975-1976. summarized 117 years, months. maximum—for quantity—was years. slight short failure information revision crimes. provided automatic conviction. 278, 1141. theft pretext. reclassified misdemeanor. 295, 1150. Unlike amendment reduction convey attitude lengthy sentence: recidivism. "While details, trouble related offense." judge, concurrently, heard witnesses testify, not; knew, example, selling LSD, while pending appeal previous LSD." Cf. Vines Muncy, 553 342, 349 1977) (jury final practice, since findings suspension judge). That doubt particularly incomprehensible reliance footnote, responding fanciful hypothetical bar "overtime notes four-factor 1973). 371, 373, 2. inconsistent reversal here. suggestion appropriate, saying test. sitting issue voted affirm unconstitutionality reasoning entirely unrelated event, reviews judgments, opinions, sustainable comments sent attorney: perpetrated conscious [sic] Thomas baron Baird, Jr., Edward L. Hogshire (Feb. 1977). undermines claim strong 381-383. concludes 379-380. even abstract, fact remains State's unusually harsh No support true Indeed, jury's recommended aware awarded sentences, unaware 1233 increased rate dispositions prove counterproductive. becomes alert probability disposition, lawyers likely choose risk taking additional step providing merits. "mean work expense client, unessential reading already overburdened Court." R. Stern E. Gressman, Practice 365 (5th ed. Accord, Brown, Foreword: Process Law, 72 Harv.L.Rev. 77, 81-82 (1958). abuse, startling suggest Appeals' tantamount "anarchy." 375. Quite contrary, fulfilled apply precedents experience—something do.

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