Legal Document

417 U.S. 653 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2532 41 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 383 WARDEN, LEWISBURG PENITENTIARY, Petitioner,v.Benigno MARRERO. Number 73—831. Argued April 29, 1974. Decided June 19, Rehearing Denied Nov. 11, See 419 1014, 95 334. Syllabus The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, which became effective May 1, 1971, makes parole under the general statute, 18 Code KF62 § 4202, available for almost all narcotics offenders. Respondent, who had been sentenced before was ineligible 26 7237(d), repealed by 1970 Act, sought habeas corpus in District Court, claiming eligibility when one-third his sentence served. denied relief on ground that prohibition 7237(d) preserved 1103(a) statute (which provides '(p)rosecutions' violations shall not be affected repeals statutory provisions) saving clause, 1 109 '(t)he repeal any have effect to release or extinguish penalty, forfeiture, liability incurred such . .'). Appeals reversed. Held: 1. Section bars Board Parole from considering respondent since eligibility, as a practical matter, is determined at time sentencing, sentencing part concept 'prosecution,' saved 1103(a), Bradley versus States, 410 605, 93 1151, 35 528. Pp. 657—659. 2. also barred clause parole, it clear Congress intended ineligibility treated offender's 'punishment,' therefore against 4202 'penalty, liability' clause. 659—664. 483 Federal Reporter, 2nd 656, Jewell S. Lafontant, Washington, D.C., petitioner. John Judge Witmeyer, III, New York City, respondent, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion A now-repealed 7237(d),1 provided, inter alia, certain offenders mandatory minimum prison terms should 4202.2 repealed, 84 Statutes-at-Large 1292, question decision this case whether provision survives repealer, so offender has served more than imposed remains consideration 4202. 2 Respondent convicted offenses and, second offender, concurrent 10 years' imprisonment each two counts. 450 373, 374—375 (CA2 1971).3 On February 24, 1972, Middle Pennsylvania, that, he eligible statute4 109.5 347 F.Supp. 99. Third Circuit reversed, holding neither nor continued 7237(d). 656 (1973).6 We granted certiorari resolve conflict among Courts Appeals.7 414 1128, 865, 38 752 (1973). agree with reverse judgment Appeals. 3 611, 1156, 528 (1973), expressly reserved now us. involved conviction after committed date. held 'prosecution' '(p)rosecutions violation law occurring (before 1971) affected' judge suspending sentences of, granting probation to, petitioners him making them early they their sentences, 4208(a).8 Although stating footnote grant (18 U.S.C.) lies Parole, Judge, must made long entered prosecution terminated,' we concluded '(w)hether 109, limits cannot consider case.' U.S., 611 n. 6, S.Ct., 1156. 4 * hold s In concluding 4208(a) reasoned Judge's make an entering conviction, 'prosecution.' 1155. 5 Similarly, pragmatic view requires conclusion sentence. Since, becomes serving sentence, see 2, supra, function length fixed district judge. Although, course, precise 4208(a), implicit And because could seriously argued decisions are without regard period defendant spend becoming would drastically substantial change proportion required eligible, can properly viewed being determined—and deliberately so—by Eligibility thus teaching Bradley, 1103(a). 6 reject respondent's argument our read trial judge, arrived come end, purposes Apart obvious answer reasonably thought decided 'on which' said text, 'we express no opinion,' reliance upon both proves too little much. It little, fact finally determines released does undercut will become Board's action simply implements determination.9 much, because, if—as it—the proper focus actually denied, decision, terminates; provisions, ultimately decides released. But, previously mentioned, judge's deny II 7 further parole.10 8 enacted its first provision, chapter 71, 16 432 (1871), abolish common-law presumption criminal resulted abatement 'all prosecutions reached final disposition highest court authorized review them.' 607, 1154; Bell Maryland, 378 226, 230, 1814, 1817, 12 822 (1964). Common-law abatements only unequivocal repeals, but re-enactments different penalties, re-enacted legislation increased decreased penalties. 607—608, 1153—1154; Lindzey State, 65 Miss. 542, Southern KF135 S69 99, (1888); Hartung People, 22 N.Y. (1860); Comment, Today's Law Yesterday's Crime: Retroactive Application Ameliorative Criminal Legislation, 121 U.Pa.L.Rev. 120, 121—126 (1972). To avoid abatements—often product legislative inadvertence—Congress pertinent statute.' 5, supra. determinative extinguishment 109.11 9 Reisinger, 128 398, 32 L.Ed. 480 (1888), clause's use words 'penalty,' 'liability,' 'forfeiture' covered statutes. Those words, found, were 'used great masters crown elementary writers synonymous word connection crimes grade.' Id., 402, 101. Thus, agreed construction Miller, Justice, Ulrici, 28 Fed.Cas. Pages 328, 329 (No. 16,594) (CCED Mo.1875), those 'were used include forms punishment crime.' 402—403, 100 consequence, bar application ameliorative laws repealing harsher ones force commission offense. See, e.g., Jones 117 U.S.App.D.C. 169, 327 867 (1963); Kirby, 176 101 1949); Lovely 175 312 (CA4 1949). ordinarily preserve discarded remedies procedures, Hertz Woodman, 218 205, 218, 30 621, 624, 54 1001 (1910); Obermeier, 186 243, 253 1950), history reveals meant 'punishment' convicted. Narcotic 1956. embodied congressional acceptance approach combat contagion drug addiction imposition severe penalties offenses. Congres lengthy means decreasing trafficking. S.Rep.No.1997, 84th Cong., Sess., (1956); H.R.Rep.No.2388, (1956). But believed longer achieve desired results unless remained imprisoned full term. 11 'In evaluating effectiveness presently prescribed recognized incentives penal system serve decrease actual spent institution court. violator Available data Bureau Prisons, indicates serves average less two-thirds This mitigation tends defeat (existing legislation) ...' 10—11, 1956 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin. News, Page 3284. Accordingly, provided unavailable 13 There additional reasons believing no-parole element 'punishment.' First, unusual prisoner expected think suffering penalty parole. Ross, 464 376, 379 1972); De Simone, 468 1196, 1199 1972). For confined prisoner, parole—even legal constraints—is step toward regaining lost freedom.12 An observation somewhat context apt: 14 'It may 'legislative grace' provide removes hope offences, nature penalty.' Durant 689, 691 (CA5 1969). 15 Second, repealer clearly present serious ex post facto Article I, 9, cl. 3, Constitution, 'greater offense,' Rooney North Dakota, 196 319, 325, 25 264, 265, 49 494 (1905) (emphasis added). Love Fitzharris, 460 382 (CA9 cf. Lindsey 301 397, 57 797, 81 1182 (1937); Holden Minnesota, 137 483, 491—492, 143, 146, 34 734 (1890); Calder Bull, Dall. 386, 390, 648 (1798); rel. Umbenhowar McDonnell, 1014 (ND Ill.1934). least where, offenses, punitive measure, noparole 109. III 17 emphasizes completely changed regulation jettisoning retributive favor emphasis rehabilitation offender. He argues light basic change, purpose denying indeed denial frustrates current goal rehabilitating Undeniably force, addressed wrong governmental branch. Punishment federal matter Congress, subject judicial veto oversteps constitutional bounds. Gore 357 393, 78 1280, 1284, 1405 (1958); 349 81, 82, 75 620, 99 905 (1955). however consequences trespassed limits. 19 20 Reversed. 21 BLACKMUN whom DOUGLAS MARSHALL join, dissenting. holds (1964 ed., Supp. V), specific Act. N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions believe cover postsentencing respectfully dissent. 23 my view, 'penalty' envisioned by, within meaning thrust portion originally 1871, 432, preclude technical offense repealed. Hamm Rock Hill, 306, 314, 85 384, 300 Quite appropriately, recognizes apart exceptional circumstances,1 one violates escape sanction if, subsequent act, happens 24 however, line traditional rule favoring existing law. Chambers, 291 217, 434, 763 (1934); Tynen, Wall. 88, 153 (1871). Schooner Peggy, Cranch 103, (1801); School City Richmond, 416 696, 2006, 40 476 (1974). never applied other prevent prosecution.2 courts interpreted statute's reference dealt imposed. (CA4), cert. 338 834, 70 38, 508 (1949); Duffel 242, 221 523 (1954); Maceo 46 788 1931).3 case, faced decidedly situation. Marrero way seeking still fully service What seeks merely opportunity considered free accorded discretion Parole. If reason feels appropriate remain incarcerated term subject. Moreover, even if deemed granted, conditions authorities choose place conditional freedom. As Fourth aptly observed, 'is disciplinary restraint, rather 'an extension walls'; while 'in custody control of' Board,' Rowe Nicholson, Cir., 468, 469—470, 296 573, 56 118, 80 405 (1935); Alvarado McLaughlin, 486 541, 544 (4 Cir. 1973). Marshall, 158 283, 286, 485 1062, 1065 'sentence' years, Cf. Anderson Corall, 263 193, 44 43, 68 247 (1923). short, me relieved obligations him. 27 By expanding ineligibility, restricting imposed, misconceives extends well beyond prior say state conclusion. type statute. Until today, broadly, goes narrow anti-abatement reach repeat: 'was obviate mere abatement.' 390. unprecedented might justified, perhaps acceptable, possible conclude Court's reading effectuate intent promote some valid policy. result disservice respects. 29 demonstrated Part II, infra, did affirmatively intend save provision. pure policy grounds, wholly illogical. Presumably, behind deterrence keep periods. rejected rationale existed. person who, anticipate cognizant law, knows more-than-180-day anomalous keeps inmate 30, term, fellow identical crime behaved identically prison, time. Surely, disparate treatment kind frustrate inmate's sense justice undermine whatever rehabilitative attempts currently made.4 passing 1236, provisions §§ 1101(b)(3)(A) (b)(4)(A), unequivocally withdrew ineligibility. process ill potential system. pre-Act 1294, precludes 'prosecutions.' pretermitted distinguished postsentence already handed down. distinction crucial instant 31 determining offenders, ascertain what intended. While there question, wording overall applies outer limit Bradley. Certainly broader language hardly supports extravagant interpretation today. wanted itself, done terms. Instead, chose narrowest Particularly text specifically rejects paroleless illogical unwarranted assume 'prosecutions' broadly. ambiguity take limited word. Assuming, arguendo, doubt intent, harsh, least, manner chosen (1934), ambiguous statutes defendants, Bass, 404 336, 92 515, 488 (1971), choice doubts eligibility. 33 justify broad 'a (this) conclusion.' Ante, 658. Needless say, authority, otherwise, cited proposition majority's own intuition, venture none cited. board discretion, existence either guaranteed or, One thing clear: explicit over determination. instructed assess according dates judges do this, justifies flat 'implicit sentence' 'thus sentencing.' Ibid. Whatever else held, stated determination (as opposed preclusion Bradley) lie 'made terminated.' 1156 added).5 Even assuming conclusively decide issue, renders nullity. majority states 'could opinion," ante, 659. then very relying entirely 'under Bradley' 'prosecution." At taken majority. mind, reached. seek release. including violations. professional best interests society, paroled. mistake drastically, interpreting contrary language, order result. With exception,6 appeals issue Government's argument.7 Inasmuch position here incorrect, policy, affirm Title ed. V) provided: 'Upon conviction— '(1) subsection (b) section, (c), (h), (i) section Drugs Import Export amended, July 1941, '(2) (a) offense, 'the execution suspended, title apply, 15, 1932 (47 696; D.C.Code 24—201 following), apply.' provides: 'A juvenile delinquent youth wherever definite hundred eighty days, whose record shows observed rules confined, fifteen years life forty-five years.' violating 173 ed.) 4701, 4703, 4704(a), 4771(a) ed.). His 174 7237(a). explicitly incorporated directly applicable 'Prosecutions date (the Act) amendments (it) abated thereof.' relevant part: 'The provide, remaining sustaining enforcement liability.' mandate issued signed stay. stay treated, staying proceedings mandate. Respondent's motion dismiss writ moot denied. Second Tenth Circuits 1196 1972) (but Huguet, 481 888 1973)); Perea 608 (CA10 addition Circuit, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Columbia 541 1973); Amaya 940 McGarr, 461 (CA7 1062 '(a) Upon having jurisdiction impose ends public require exceeding year, (1) designate expiration than, maximum court, (2) fix event specify determine.' statement Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 480, 2593, 2600, 484 (1972), '(p)arole arises end prosecution, contains directive supersede fair implication superseded Great Northern R. company 208 452, 465—466, 313, 316—317, 52 567 (1908). find conflict. Appeals, statements opinions 'mere abatement(s),' (1964), intact applying 663; Stephens, 449 105—106 1971). analysis, seems us, begs question. into 7237(a), mitigating sections, left 'technically' abate rule. inquiry repealer. 482, 484, revoked affording parolee procedural due process, observed: liberty enables wide range things open persons crime. Subject gainfully employed family friends form enduring attachments normal life. Though State subjects many restrictions citizens, condition confinement prison.' (Footnote omitted.) certified survived repeal. 'Penalty' appears interchangeably liability. Smith, 433 341 1970), 401 942, 91 949, 223 (1971); Brown, 429 566 1970); Faubion 424 437 1970). Kirby construed statutes' clauses nonabatement 'rights liabilities' acts. interesting note cases 661, petitioner, Brief Petitioner 16—17, circuits subsequently petitioner case. concedes presents institutional problems. 'Neither Prisons believes impede performance functions Such requirement demand individual supervised society.' 8. notes, 659, '(P)arole (the) sentence.' eliminate conceptual separate feel attempted persuasive. Warden, (CA3 1973) case); 1973), pet. pending sub nom. McLaughlin Prieto; pending; (question pretermitted). 103 Circuit's earlier 989, 1499, 36 188 7, referred 'cannot regarded controlling.' F.2d, 891.

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