Legal Document

500 U.S. 453 111 S.Ct. 1919 114 L.Ed.2d 524 Richard L. CHAPMAN, John M. Schoenecker and Patrick Brumm, Petitionersv.UNITED STATES. No. 90-5744. Argued March 26, 1991. Decided May 30, Rehearing Denied Aug. 2, See U.S., 112 S.ct 17. Syllabus A pure dose of the hallucinogenic drug LSD is so small that it must be sold to retail customers in a "carrier" created by dissolving and, inter alia, spraying resulting solution on paper. That paper then cut into "one-dose" squares, which users swallow, lick, or drop beverage release drug. Petitioners were convicted District Court selling 10 sheets (1,000 doses) blotter containing LSD, violation 21 U.S.C. § 841(a). Section 841(b)(1)(B) calls for 5-year mandatory minimum sentence offense distributing more than one gram "a mixture substance detectable amount" LSD. Although petitioners' weighed only 50 milligrams, court included total weight 5.7 grams, calculating their sentences, thus requiring imposition sentence. The grams was also used determine base level under United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines Manual (Sentencing Guidelines). Appeals affirmed, rejecting arguments carrier medium's should not sentencing purposes, alternatively, construing statute require inclusion would violate right equal protection incorporated Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment. Held: 1. requires medium when determining appropriate trafficking Pp. 456-464. (a) Since refers "mixture amount," entire This reading supported history Congress' attempts control illegal distribution statute's structure. Congress knew how indicate sentence, having done with respect PCP methamphetamine providing based either amount drugs, lower weights drugs. And clearly intended dilutant, cutting agent, heroin cocaine those drugs' purposes. 456-461. (b) here, customarily distribute neither nor define "mixture," has no established common law meaning, given its ordinary see Moskal v. States, 498 ----, 461, 468-70, 449, portion matter consisting two components . however thoroughly commingled are regarded as retaining separate existence," Webster's Third New International Dictionary. crystals left behind solvent evaporates inside paper, they it, but does chemically combine thus, retains existence. Using dictionary definition allow clause interpreted include bottle car, since, unlike containers easily distinguished separated from Nor there reason resort rule lenity construe favor, since straightforward 841(b) produce result absurd glaringly unjust raise reasonable doubt about intent. 461-464. 2. statutory construction unconstitutional. Determining lengths sentences accordance carrier's arbitrary due process. penalty scheme punish severely large-volume traffickers at any level, increases such persons measuring quantity drugs according street diluted form sold, active component's net weight. Thus, rational set penalties chosen tool trade justified seeking avoid accurate might have been extracted if had calibrate And, seems choice, vast majority cases will do exactly what designed do—punish heavily who deal larger amounts distributors varying degrees culpability subject same mean system violates Moreover, fact may plausible against describing impregnated substance" unconstitutionally vague, especially debate center around conduct's criminality, all courts decided issue held 464-468. 908 F.2d 1312 (CA7, 1990), affirmed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, JJ., joined. STEVENS, J., filed dissenting opinion, MARSHALL, T. Christopher Kelly, petitioners. Paul J. Larkin, Jr., respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 841(b)(1)(B)(v) Title Code five years lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)." We hold determines eligibility 2 Chapman, Schoenecker, Brumm (1000 sentences. Accordingly, although alone approximately combined resulted required (1990) Guidelines).1 appealed, claiming medium, Alternatively, argued construed other drug, this 3 Seventh Circuit en banc computing defendant found basis including along therefore did Constitution. Marshall, (CA7 1990). granted certiorari, 579, 584 (1990), now affirm. provides 4 "any person subsection section [making unlawful knowingly intentionally manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess intent controlled substance], shall sentenced follows: "(1)(B) In case 5 involving— 6 7 "(v) (LSD); 8 9 "such term imprisonment less years. ." 841(b)(1)(A)(v) involving "10 [LSD]." 2D1.1(c) parallels language determined upon of" 11 According Commission, an average weighs 0.05 milligrams; 20,000 doses gram. infinitesimal "carrier." Pure dissolved alcohol, sprayed gelatin, dipped solution. evaporates, leaving minute trapped gel. Then gel squares dose. Users swallow lick them until released, beverage, thereby releasing gelatin light, weigh much ten carrying 1,000 petitioners grams; itself even close necessary trigger 841(b)(1)(B)(v). 12 argue distribution, words ambiguous, reach illogical result. Because dose, rather weight, defendant's because irrelevant culpability. They leads anomalous results, viz: major wholesaler caught 19,999 while minor pusher 200 sugar cube, sentence.2 contend, excluded, determined, 13 think petitioner's statute—a makes turn gross together—is one. amount." So long contains amount, 14 confirmed structure statute. With various heroin, cocaine, crimes certain however, namely methamphetamine, methamphetamine. For example, 841(b)(1)(A)(iv) 10-year distributes "100 phencyclidine (PCP) kilogram (PCP)." these between But distributed, declared exclusively substance." make distinction 15 Chapman maintains could purposes constitute nearly unit, will, therefore, carrier, point can made like Inactive ingredients consumers some cases, concentration very low. E.g., Buggs, 904 1070 1990) (1.2% heroin); Dorsey, 192 U.S.App.D.C. 313, 591 922 (DC 1978) (2% Smith, 601 972 (CA8) (2.7% 8.5% heroin), cert. denied, 444 879, 100 166, 62 108 (1979). But, drug," substance, controlling. 16 Congress's shows why chose course sentencing. Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Control Act 1970, Pub.L. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1236, divided schedules potential abuse. listed schedule I(c), material, compound, mixture, preparation, following substances," 202(c). link possessed; instead depended whether classified narcotic not. 17 Controlled Substances Penalties Amendments 1984, chapter Crime 98-473, 98 2068, first punishment dependent involved. maximum 20 (1982 ED., Supp. II). 1984 amendments "to provide offenses," S.Rep. 98-225, 255 (1983), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News pp. 3182, 3437 eliminating disparaties caused classifying non-narcotic. Id., 256. McGeehan, 824 F.2d, 677, 681 (CA8 1987), 484 1061, 1017, 982 (1988). 18 current originated Anti-Drug 1986, 99-570, 3207 (1986). adopted "market-oriented" approach punishing trafficking, involved, length H.R.Rep. 99-845, pt. 1, 11-12, To implement principle, corresponding substances, §§ 841(b)(1)(A)(i)-(viii) (B)(i)-(viii). It graduated whatever found—cut uncut, impure, ready wholesale level. want severely, though smaller quantities keep markets going. supra, p. 12. 19 case, holding, we confirm unanimous conclusion Courts addressed issue.3 Neither terms "mixture" "substance," meaning. Those terms, 449 (1990). defined bear fixed proportion another existence." Dictionary 1449 consist substances blended together particles diffused among other. Oxford English 921 (2d ed.1989). applied solvent, absorbed ultimately evaporates. After said "mix" comingled existence released dropping liquid, swallowing itself. fibers Like mixed agents, cannot it. agents ingested, gel, cube often ingested Petitioner argues "substance" meaning carriers glass vial automobile being transported, making phrase nonsensical. nonsense giving bottle, from, "container." automobile; bonded car. true packaging materials generally items otherwise excluding consistent principles construction. First, ambiguous type favor defendant. serious constitutional question interpretation struck down violating 22 lenity, applicable unless "grievous ambiguity uncertainty Act," Huddleston 415 814, 831, 94 1262, 1272, 39 782 (1974), after " 'seize[d] every thing aid derived' still "left statute." Bass, 404 336, 347, 92 515, 522, 30 488 (1971) (quoting Fisher, Cranch 358, 386, L.Ed. 304 (1805)). "The [of lenity] comes operation end process expressed, beginning overriding consideration lenient wrongdoers." Callanan 364 587, 596, 81 321, 326, 312 (1961). also, e.g., S.Ct., ----. distributor. "so 'absurd unjust,' Rodgers, 466 475, 484, 104 1942, 1948, 80 492 (1984) (citation omitted), "reasonable doubt" supra. There circumstances.4 23 constructions cast constitutionality avoided, citing Public Citizen Dept. Justice, 491 440, 465-466, 109 2558, 2572, 105 377 (1989). '[E]very resorted to, order save unconstitutionality,' Edward DeBartolo Corp. Florida Gulf Coast Building Construction Trades Council, 485 568, 575, 1392, 1397, 99 645 (1988), 841(b), "grave doubts" provision. Jin Fuey Moy, 241 394, 401, 36 658, 659, 60 1061 (1916). canon strive interpret way unconstitutional useful 'not license judiciary rewrite enacted legislature.' Monsanto, 600, 611, 2657, 2664, 512 Petitioners' argument unavailing here reasons explain below. 24 guaranteed Amendment violated "carrier," factor insist arbitrary. preliminarily free deprivations liberty fundamental, provision upheld government compelling interest classification question. never subjected criminal sort truncated analysis, decline now. Every fundamental sense Government him proves his guilt beyond trial conducted relevant guarantees. Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 535, 536, n. 16, 1861, 1871, 1872, eligible for, impose, authorized offense, cruel unusual, McMillan Pennsylvania, 477 79, 92, 8, 106 2411, 2419, 91 67 (1986); Meachum Fano, 427 215, 224, 96 2532, 2538, 49 451 (1976), context, noted Jones 463 354, 362, 10, 103 3043, 3048, 77 694 essentially duplicates 25 find choice distribution. out 1986 Pt. 12, assigns severe By "street weight" component, increase large regardless purity. scheme.5 26 not, strictly speaking, "dilute" facilitate Blotter easier transport, store, conceal, sell. traffic tool. 27 claim actually produced array motions district contain proof actual disparities Rather, challenge face ground inevitably lead punishments. While hypothetical imagined heavy little import considering petitioners, standard carrier. 28 different numbers doses, culpability, choosing carriers.6 objection imposed form, Such scheme—not individual culpability—would constitutional. power punishments without discretion. Ex parte 242 27, 37 72, 61 129 Determinate country's penal codes inception, Grayson, 438 41, 45-46, 2610, 2613-2614, 57 582 (1978), remained present. See, 1111 (mandatory life federal first-degree-murder statute); 848(b) "super-kingpin" 2114 Ed.) (flat 25-year armed robbery postal carrier) (upheld 602 834 (CA8), 902, 139 (1979), Smith 284 789, 791 (CA5 1960)). "individualized rests commands, public policy statutes." Lockett Ohio, 586, 604-605, 2954, 2964-2965, 973 (1978) (plurality opinion). Mistretta 361, 364, 647, 650, 102 714 29 likewise vague. First freedoms infringed 841, vagueness evaluated facts case. Powell, 423 87, 316, 319, 46 228 (1975). particularly criminality conduct. conviction (1984), circuit resided applying position. Here, contrary, issue, except court, Healy, 729 F.Supp. 140 process, judgment 31 Affirmed. 32 whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 33 consequences majority's 841 bizarre I believe Congress. statute, sparse legislative history, supports reached today. Indeed, necessarily undermine uniformity sought achieve Guidelines. 34 judges opinions holding sitting case.1 opinions, Judge Cummings pointed evidence considered determination good unaware inequitable Court's 1312, 1327-1328 As Posner severity comparable disregarded. 1335. 35 If begin statute,2 dissented Circuit's decision, becomes immediately apparent far clear. notes, statute3 Guidelines4 "substance." Ante, 461-462. initially resists identifying substance; instead, simply combination, using drug." ante, 459, 460, 461. Eventually, identify combination mixture: "After 'mix' paper." 462.5 ink "can paper," ibid., describe word comfortably describes relatively carries grains adhere surface.6 encompasses I, majority, accurately, guidance congressional purpose. observed, sparse, reference debates preceding passage addresses 1327; 132 Cong.Rec. S14030 (Sept. 1986) (statement Sen. Harkin). Perhaps telling subsequent history.7 letter Senator Joseph R. Biden, dated April 1989, Chairman William W. Wilkens, commented statute: 38 'With unclear or, commonly consumed illicit dilutant ingredient mixture. suggests wish further consider clarify purposes.' 1327-1328. Presumably response, Biden offered technical amendment, purpose correct inequity become several recent decisions.8 "[t]he amendment remedies removing calculation 135 S12748 (Oct. 5, 1989).9 Biden's part 976 S. 1711, bill passed House Representatives. Kennedy tried 841. He proposed amendment: 40 "CLARIFICATION OF 'MIXTURE OR SUBSTANCE.' 41 "Section 841(b)(1) title 21, Code, amended inserting new thereof: 42 '(E) section, placed, transported.' 136 S7069-S7070 (May 24, 43 legislation approached circumspection enacting contemplated speak clarifications ever passed, amendments, least, clear plain. 44 light lack guide us, examine results intended. figures 458, sufficient show contrary central Guidelines, eliminate disparity "Congress narrowing wide similar offenses committed offenders." Comm'n, Federal 1.2 (1991).10 chart clear, widely divergent sale identical nature carrier.11 cubes, range 188-235 months, whereas dosage liquid 10-16 months. absurdity emphasized Posner's dissent: 45 "A sells worse number he heavier punishment. cubes manufacturer former ten-year no-parole latter five-year minimum. received thousand fourteen Marshall's almost 12,000 four twenty. Rose, 881 387 (7th Cir.1989), bought unusually 472 yet 7.3 grams—more Chapman's, twice many doses. Depending (zero stuff form), orange juice 198 (the Dean ) Rose stretches months 365 months; (Chapman ), fifteen 11,751 (Marshall life. none computations, way, difference—so slight relative carrier—except form. well said: forget "This quilt pattern whereof able discern. silent, Department defending, most inference realize sold." 1333.12 47 described "crazy," "loony," id., 1332, avoided stretching marijuana, added pitcher juice, added. calculation, single receive substantially higher huge offenders, compared supra ; 48 nothing our jurisprudence compels us fact, specifically declined past, outcome.13 Learned Hand wisely counseled look "not fortress dictionary; remember statutes always object accomplish, whose sympathetic imaginative discovery surest meaning." Cabell Markham, 148 737, 739 (CA2), aff'd, 326 404, 66 193, 90 165 (1945). recognized "frequently general broad enough act question, follow words, unreasonable legislator particular act." Holy Trinity Church 143 457, 511, 512, 226 (1892). These guided 454, 2566, (1989), "[l]ooking naked text perfectly proper apparently decrees difficult fathom where inconsistent intention. 455, 2566. Undoubtedly, particular, sell quantities.14 express intention treat differently dangerous drugs.15 fails embody legitimate goals Instead weighty carriers, ways types longer proportionately equivalent equally drugs.16 today handiwork construes achieve. respectfully dissent. 63 months' imprisonment. Brief 4. Likewise, depending used. disparate sentences: Weight Base Carrier (months) Sugar 227 gr. 1.4 63-78 Gelatin capsule 225 mg. 27-33 [Pure LSD] 10-16" (footnotes omitted). Even dealers vary varies dealer dealer. milligrams per 1989), 15.4 Elrod, 898 (CA6 1,990 5.5 140, 141 5000 44.133 8.8 Larsen, 562 (CA10 1990); (CA6), 104, 74 (1990); Bishop, 894 981, 985-987 Daly, 883 316-318 (CA4 110 2622, 643 386 1989); Taylor, 868 125, 127-128 1989). points views members use LSD" precise. manifested introduction bills Senate excluded mediums clause. law, questionable history—itself unreliable Pierce Underwood, 487 552, 566-567, 2541, 2550-2551, 101 490 (1988); Quern Mandley, 436 725, 736, 2075, 56 658 (1978). rational. Mendes, 912 434 Murphy, 899 714, 717 986-987; Holmes, 838 1175, 1177-1178 (CA11), 486 1058, 2829, 930 Klein, 860 1489, 1501 (CA9 1988); Hoyt, 879 505, Savinovich, 845 834, 839 (CA9), 943, 369, 358 Ramos, 861 228, 231-232 1988). note own minimize is, choose bulkier cubes. Bauer Judges Wood, Cudahy joined Cummings' dissent, 1326 1331. Turkette, 452 576, 580, 2524, 2527, 69 246 (1981) ("In scope language"). definitional 802, merely "[u]nless specified, forth [offense level] table 2.47 (1991). identified 1317-1318; Circuits see, 986 317 127 fell within substance," distinguishing two. 60, 562, 563 remains highlighted Commission's desire terms. Notice, issued 3, invited comment exclude cases. Manual, entitled "Questions Most Frequently Asked About Guidelines," language, reflects continuing weighed: "With absorbed, definitively stated 'mixture substance' guideline application ensure consistency guidelines Application Note 2D1.1 states whether, substance. date, appear answering affirmatively." 599. Of care interpreting legislation. Compare Sullivan Finkelstein, 496 ---- - 2658, 2665-2666, 2667 (slip op., 1-2) (SCALIA, concurring part). can, effect overlooked. 704 910 (ND Iowa example highlight inequities LSD: decisions example. .05 dropped ingestion transportation, grams. Under punishable Thus penalty, handing year penalty." "Sentencing differences offenders unfair both public. unjustifiably high similarly situated offender; low just plainly public." 45-46 3228-3229. creates classes categories consistently." 51, 3234. primary goal reform elimination unwarranted disparity." 52, 3235 (footnote 97-307, 963, 968 (same). 316-318. His comparison treatment harmful illuminating: "That irrationality magnified compare people prohibited remember, fewer twenty Twelve sounds lot, Marshall kilograms, yield million Platt, Heroin Addiction: Theory, Research, Treatment ed. 1986); cf. Diamorphine 63, (Scott fifty anywhere 325,000 Washton, Cocaine Treatment, Recovery Relapse (1989); Use America: Epidemiologic Clinical Perspectives 214 (Kozel Adams, eds., National Institute Pamphlet (1985)). crack—half kilogram—this translates 50,000 doses." 1334. Gozlon-Peretz 3212, 660 (Congress supervised apply during interim period before Reform became effective latter, term, effective); Sheridan 392, 403, 2449, 2456, 352 (1988) ("If duty prevent foreseeably wandering unattended, odd assume breach give rise liability human instrument negligent she malicious"); Green Bock Laundry Machine Co., 504, 509, 1981, 557 (1989) ("The Rule's plain commands weighing prejudice civil trial. literal compel this"); 527, 1994 judgment) ("We confronted which, literally, produces absurd, perhaps unconstitutional, result"). [House] Committee strongly believes government's intense focus ought traffickers, manufacturers heads organizations, responsible creating delivering drugs." 11-12 Code] random piecemeal creation laws past." "[T]he statements assure each fair sentences." Ibid.

Classification Label: 0