Legal Document

503 U.S. 329 112 S.Ct. 1351 117 L.Ed.2d 593 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.Richard WILSON. No. 90-1745. Argued Jan. 15, 1992. Decided March 24, Syllabus In sentencing respondent Wilson to prison for violating the Hobbs Act, District Court denied his request credit under 18 U.S.C. § 3585(b) time he had spent in presentence detention by Tennessee authorities. After a state trial court credited such against term state-law convictions, of Appeals reversed Court's ruling, holding that right federal and should have awarded it him. Held: It is Attorney General who computes amount after defendant has begun serve sentence. Pp. 331-337. (a) Effective 1987, 3585(b)—which specifies, inter alia, "[a] shall be given toward [his] imprisonment any official prior date sentence commences," if "has not been another sentence" (emphasis added)—replaced statute which provided, among other things, "[t]he give person credit" added). Under predecessor statute, General, through Bureau Prisons (BOP), computed taking custody sentenced offender. 331-333. (b) Section does authorize district compute at sentencing. By stating crucial verbs past present perfect tenses, section indicates computation must occur begins A court, therefore, cannot apply section. Indeed, here could made necessary sentencing, since based on how much spent" (not "will spent") beginning The did then know when state-court proceedings would end or authorities take into custody, only speculated about spend detention. Moreover, immaterial "ha[d] credited" Wilson's basing award relative timing result arbitrary awards. 333-334. (c) light court's inability credit, continue make calculation as past, even though no longer mentions offender certain jail-time section, BOP remains order fulfill its statutory duty administering Congress' conversion former statute's active language passive voice slim ground presuming an intention change well-established procedures determining credit. 334-336. (d) general presumption Congress contemplates whenever amends overcome this case foregoing analysis. Because was entirely rewritten, because interpretation require stretch 3585(b)'s language, likely reference simply lost shuffle. This render 1987 revision meaningless, altered least three ways. 336-337. 916 F.2d 1115, reversed. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, WHITE, Amy L. Wax, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Henry A. Martin, Nashville, Tenn., respondent. Justice THOMAS Court. 1 convicted crime receive before begins. case, we decide whether calculates 2 * summer early fall 1988, Richard committed several crimes Putnam County, Tennessee. precise details these do concern us here. suffices arrested October 5, held him jail pending outcome prosecutions. preliminary proceedings, eventually pleaded guilty various criminal charges. 3 On November 29, 1989, United States Middle 96 months' violation 1951. served during custody. December 12, years' robbery two felonies. contrast granted 429 days Later day, transferred began serving 4 appealed refusal Reversing Sixth Circuit 1115 (1990). We certiorari, 502 ---, 48, 116 26 (1991), now reverse. II 5 responsibility imprisoning offenders. See 3621(a). From 1966 until provision codified 3568 (1982 ed.) required prisoners commencement their sentences. provision, part, stated: 6 "The service connection with offense acts imposed." Pub.L. 89-465, 4, 80 Stat. 217 7 implemented computing Although courts review General's determination, participate See, e.g., v. Morgan, 425 1388, 1389-1390 (CA5 1970). 8 Sentencing Reform Act 1984, 3551 et seq., became effective rewrote recodified 3585(b). Unlike predecessor, mention General. Written voice, states: 9 "A commences— 10 "(1) imposed; 11 "(2) charge commission 12 "that sentence." 13 describing defendant's manner, created doubt may imposing question significance final clause allows When imposed 96-month yet received from courts. However, imprisoned As result, larger permitted crediting thus 14 argues erred ordering Wilson. counters authorizes agree States. 15 accept argument "was also specifies depends " "prior commences." use verb tense significant construing statutes. Otte States, 419 43, 49-50, 95 247, 252-253, 42 212 (1974); Gwaltney Smithfield, Ltd. Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc., 484 49, 63-64, n. 108 376, 384, 98 306 (1987). using indicated 16 Federal defendants always begin sentences immediately. but 1989. At sentence; bases sentence, 17 phrase confirms interpretation. noted above, prevent receiving logic, however, few weeks later than did, arbitrary, presumed lightly. Turkette, 452 576, 580, 101 2524, 2527, 69 246 (1981) (absurd results are avoided). can imagine reason why desire determines spends prison, depend For reasons, conclude B 3568. writes often fails indicate action. silence meaning somewhat difficult ascertain. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Train, 430 112, 128, 97 965, 975, 51 204 (1977); Gladstone, Realtors Village Bellwood, 441 91, 102-103, 99 1601, 1609-1610, 60 66 (1979). Yet, see avoid 19 offender, Prisons, 3621(a) ("A . expiration imposed"). To duty, left serve. 3585(b), determine choice determination administrative matter defendant. 20 Crediting long operated manner. enacted 1966, developed detailed guidelines available prisoners. Apps. C Brief (stating BOP's determinations); Lucas, 898 1554 (CA11 1990). regulations afforded credits, 28 CFR §§ 542.10-542.16 (1990); supra, 1556, able seek judicial computations exhausting remedies, Bayless, 940 300, 304-305 (CA8 1991); Flanagan, 868 1544, 1546 1989); Martinez, 837 861, 865-866 (CA9 1988). 3586 strikes rather procedures. "It lightly assumed intended depart established policy." Robertson Railroad Labor Board, 268 619, 627, 45 621, 624, L.Ed. 1119 (1925). 21 our conclusion conflicts familiar maxim that, alters words intend meaning. Russello 464 16, 23-24, 104 296, 300-301, 78 (1983). He asserts removing explicit expressed remove process Otherwise, contends, modify did. difficulty statute. find conclusions perform implementing 22 candidly acknowledge what happened revision. changed form rearranged clauses, rephrased central idea more doubled length. view changes, includes, think 23 Our meaningless. ways First, replaced "custody" "official detention." Second, clear double time. Third, enlarged class eligible old law, "the new both "any revisions, judgment 24 Reversed. 25 whom WHITE joins, dissenting. Today's rigid remedial supported text, legislative history, underlying policies Crandon 494 152, 158, 110 997, 1001, 132 (1990), said "[i]n [a] look particular design whole object failed today. issue, gives shortened already either offense, provided sentence.1 27 full authorized obviously important right. Both judge respect protect event there dispute between parties over resolved court. No one contends unreviewable discretion appropriate case.2 most cases, routine, ministerial task will rise dispute.3 Occasionally, demonstrates, legitimate difference relevant facts.4 Such must, course, judge. remains, then, resolve issue—at represented counsel, some date, 29 issue period almost months entered plea agreement prosecutor.5 Prior amendment 3585(b),6 statute—at construed where arose—did Blankenship, 733 433, 434 (1984).7 Consistent pre-amendment practice, respondent's custody.8 There points emerge ruling: erroneously amended second, legal decided ripe decision 30 today, emphasizes fact pretrial detention, arguing therefore entitled imposed. ante, 333, 334. misleading reasons. request, seems unlikely allowed although assumes risk avoided postponing assumption erroneous frequently terminate or, indeed, released correct including imposed, subsequent action concerning punishment offenses purely concern. 31 example, Guidelines prescribed less months, indeed proper bizarre Government rearrest subsequently same fulfilling possibility allow exists made, hearing likelihood second remote made. More importantly, existence hypothetical credits rare cases involving overlapping jurisdiction sufficient refusing effect plain problem presented. 32 entire analysis rests incorrect premise. mandates starkly different procedures: Neither compelled text. An ordinary reading ("[a] imprisonment. .") suggests ample authority delegate calculating probation officer prosecutor, subject, review, himself first instance. Surely nothing text purports deprive follow whichever procedure best suited facts case. uses specify Certainly words, understand written, identify decisionmaker, decisionmaker depending circumstances.9 33 imposed" include commences" hearing. If, true immediately perfectly consistent Even postponed specifying entitled, directing additional appropriate, conform prohibit resolving imposed.10 short, mandate followed every 34 clearly leaves open placement 3585 Subchapter D-Imprisonment, court" called upon (§ 3581), impose 3582), supervised release 3583), run concurrently consecutively multiple 3584), calculate 3585) repeating 3585, unnecessary placing subchapter needed taken, actions 35 textual amounts assertion sometimes all issues relating never decision.11 reasoning so plainly flawed, rest understanding history. history relies includes comments Committee Reports debates. consists directed determination. 331-332. me, smidgen merely raises without answering it. carefully way makes significantly valuable tends support changes were deliberate ignored. Union Bank Wolas, ----, 527, 514 (1991); Retirement Bd. Fritz, 449 166, 179, 453, 461, 368 (1980). Recognizing enter congressional purpose enhance value III 36 policy adversely affected recognizing initial fact, served. Ninth observed, 10, allowing discretion, furthers interest providing prompt, accurate, information they prison. expressly identified Senate Report "whereby victim, society subject minor adjustments behavior 'good time.' S.Rep. 98-225, p. 46 (1983), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News pp. 3182, 3229.12 37 greater importance, uniform evenhanded centerpiece 1984. disputed judge, adversarial proceeding, counsel proceeding takes place record, guarantee fair accurate decision.13 usually fend incarcerated. Committing particularly facility conviction, minimize participation defense counsel. generate meritless pro se claims prompt consideration well complicate delay disposition meritorious claims. flexible approach fully purposes text.14 38 I affirm Appeals. Title provides: "(b) Credit Custody.—A assigned length settled prisoner exhausted remedies. Chua Han Mow 730 1308, 1313 1984), cert. denied, 470 1031, 105 1403, 84 790 (1985). acknowledged, arithmetical figuring out exact finish "is essentially function." Tr. Oral Arg. 4; id., 21, 52. Typically centers questioned detention" "credited" Beston, 936 361 1991) (per curiam ); Chalker, 915 1254 1990); Woods, 888 653 (CA10 1989), 1006, 1301, 478 position "as defense's petition incarcerated charges occurred conspiracy, that's up government that." 86. Appeals, contended Appellee 89-6583 (CA6), 14-15. Before effective, governed Garcia-Gutierrez, 835 585, 586 1988) (construing 3568). "IT IS THE JUDGMENT OF THIS COURT THAT hereby of: "Ninety six (96), upward departure thirty-three months. Defendant unable pay fine, cost incarceration release. custody." Record, Doc. 56. defended ruling brief arguing: "Although once detainer lodged, confinement product law enforcement officials. (5th Cir.1988); Harris, 876 1502, 1506 (11th Cir.1989), [493 1005, 569, 107 563] (1989). exclusive bail. (6th Cir.1984)." Those Courts recognized shared role Eighth Circuit. F.2d, 1258; 363. "Instead, failing power vested, concurrent grant practical matter, opportunity previously believe compatible intent passing Comprehensive Crime Control Report, discussing provisions specifically decried lack certainty finality pre-Guidelines system 'prisoners really very day released.' 225, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. reprinted 1984 3232. Allowing informing outset precisely prison." 1258 (footnotes omitted). arise What constitutes issue. currently divided. Moreland 932 690, 692 agreed community treatment center; Insley, 927 185, 186 Fourth Insley's conditions constitute credit; Ramsey Brennan, 878 995, 996 (1989), Seventh halfway house while awaiting trial, 656, Tenth Woods residential center bond. each clear, objective redress situation "prisoners released." 49. Several advantages assigning Fla.Stat. 921.161 (1991) county specified sentence"); Cal.Penal Code Ann. 2900.5(d) (West Supp.1992); Mass.Gen.Laws 279:33A easily become part routinely report. report contains offender's contain to, unserved, recommendation current consecutive

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