Legal Document

516 U.S. 284116 S.Ct. 763133 L.Ed.2d 709 Meirl Gilbert NEAL, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 94-9088. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Dec. 4, 1995. Decided Jan. 22, 1996. Syllabus * When District first sentenced petitioner Neal on two plea-bargained convictions involving possession LSD with intent to distribute, amount sold by a drug trafficker was determined, under both federal statute directing minimum sentences and Sentencing Commission's Guidelines Manual, whole weight blotter paper or other carrier medium containing drug. Because combined actually 109.51 grams, court ruled, among things, that he subject 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)(v), which imposes 10-year mandatory sentence anyone convicted trafficking in more than 10 grams "a mixture substance detectable amount" LSD. After Commission revised Guidelines' calculation method instructing courts give each dose constructive presumed weight, filed motion modify his sentence, contending attributable him amended only 4.58 well short 841(b)(1)(A)(v)'s 10-gram requirement, presumptive-weight controlled calculation. The followed Chapman v. States, 500 453, 468, 111 1919, 1929, 114 524, holding, inter alia, actual paper, its absorbed LSD, determinative whether crossed threshold still applied notwithstanding Guidelines. In affirming, en banc Seventh Circuit agreed dual system now prevails calculating weights cases like this. Held: Section 841(b)(1) directs sentencing take into account even though require different an substance. rejects petitioner's contentions are entitled deference as construction those reconsideration used determine statutory sentences. While expertise design may be potential relevance contexts, choice alternative methodology for weighing does not alter Chapman's interpretation statute. any event, stare decisis requires adhere absence intervening changes casting doubt case's interpretation. It is doubtful intended displace actual- sentences, since authoritative commentary indicates new statute, but independent calculation, suggests controls if it conflicts Moreover, dose-based cannot squared Chapman. these circumstances, this need decide what, any, owed order reject contrary Once has determined statute's meaning, adheres ruling assesses agency's later against settled law. responsibility Congress, Court, change statutes thought unwise unfair. Pp. 765-769. 46 F.3d 1405 (C.A. 1995), affirmed. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Donald T. Bergerson, San Francisco, CA, petitioner. Paul R.Q. Wolfson, Washington, DC, respondent. Justice KENNEDY 1 policy offenders based drugs involved, straightforward enough simplest formulation, gives rise complexities, requiring us again address methods trafficker. We contention determining amounts we our former decision subject. 2 (lysergic acid diethylamide) such powerful narcotic average contains 0.05 milligrams pure per-dose so minute most instances transferred at retail dose, weight. typical case, dissolved alcohol solvent, resulting solution gelatin. solvent evaporates; remains. dealer cuts gel single-dose squares sale street. Users ingest swallowing licking drinking beverage have been mixed. 3 1988, arrested selling 11,456 doses paper. grams. Following guilty plea Central Illinois, one count distribute it, violation 841, conspiracy possess 846. At initial sentencing, illegal same See Commission, Manual 2D1.1, Drug Quantity Table, n. (Nov.1987) (1987 USSG). total exceeded found specified 841(b)(1)(A)(v). Under version then effect, indicated greater minimum: quantity prior resulted range 188 235 months' imprisonment, after adjustment acceptance crime. imposed concurrent 192 months imprisonment count, five years supervised release. 4 November 1993, App. C., Amend. 488 (Nov.1995) (1995 Departing from approach entire Guideline instructed 0.4 milligrams. Id., 2D1.1(c), (H). retroactive, id., 502, month see 18 3582(c)(2). He contended (11,456 x milligrams). For amount, applicable would 70 87 imprisonment. 841(b)(1)(A)(v) no bar reduced argued, because should also control necessitating sentence. 5 following recent 524 (1991), ruled must weighed held Since longer authorized above minimum, 120 count. 6 On appeal, Appeals Circuit, sitting banc, this, affirmed 7 granted certiorari resolve conflict Courts over governs purposes 841(b)(1). 515 ----, 115 2576, 132 826 (1995). Compare Muschik, 49 512, 518 (C.A.9 1995) (Guideline 841(b)(1)), cert. pending, 95-156, Boot, 25 52, 55 (C.A.1 1994); Kinder, 64 757, 759 (C.A.2 95-6746; Hanlin, 48 121, 124 (C.A.3 1995); Pardue, 36 429, 431 (C.A.5 1994), denied, 514 1969, 131 858 (1995); Andress, 47 839, 840 (C.A.6 (per curiam); Stoneking, 60 399, 402 (C.A.8 (en banc), 95-5410; Mueller, 27 494, 496-497 (C.A.10 Pope, 58 1567, 1570 (C.A.11 1995). II 8 Congress tried punishment schemes combat menace trafficking. Comprehensive Abuse Prevention Control Act 1970, Pub.L. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1236, penalties depended upon classified narcotic. Chagrined disparities, narcotics laws 1984 calculate involved. Chapman, supra, 460-461, 1925. Focusing drug, however, often allowed traffickers, who supplied street markets mixed diluted ready consumption, receive lighter what deemed necessary. 461, passing Anti-Drug 1986, 99-570, 100 3207, "Congress adopted 'market-oriented' punishing trafficking, distributed, rather length sentence." 1925; H.R.Rep. 99-845, pt. 1, pp. 11-12, 17 (19 86). provided various substances, including §§ 841(b)(1)(A)(i)-(viii) (B)(i)-(viii). Trafficking earns offender least prison. 9 interpreted provision "mixture substance" gram more, 841(b)(1)(B)(v). construed "mixture" "substance" their ordinary observing terms had defined distinctive common law meaning. U.S., 461-462, 1925-1926. Reasoning "LSD diffused fibers . distinguished nor easily separated it," 462, 1926, 1929. Petitioner contends approved appropriate. view, supplant actual-weight presume recognize inconsistent cf. 1995 USSG comment., backg'd. (stating making offense levels 2D1.1 "proportional established statute" providing logical structure offenses"). concedes, must, authority amend argues, nonetheless, agency charged penalty expert matters, given deference. Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 104 2778, 81 694 (1984). rulemaking respond judicial decisions developing coherent regime, Braxton 344, 348, 1854, 1857-1858, 385 so, contends, appropriate postdated alternative, urges reassess light method, formed careful study markets. Although taken account, did how do so. filled gap, maintains, assigning dose. 11 acknowledging conclude principles earlier decision. 12 born congressional disenchantment vagaries parole system. Mistretta 361, 366, 109 647, 651-652, 102 714 (1989) (discussing Reform legislative history). directed "establish policies practices Federal criminal justice system" meet goals set forth 3553(a)(2) that, within regime individualized eliminate unwarranted disparities similar defendants commit crimes. 28 991(b)(1)(A)-(B). c harged duty measure monitor effectiveness penal, correctional practices. 991(b)(2). fulfilling mandate, promulgate, review, revise binding guidelines determinate categories offenses according factors, others." Mistretta, 368, S.Ct., 653 (internal quotation marks omitted); 994(a), (b), (c), (o). 13 Like 841(b)(1), calibrate traffickers involved offense. From inception 1987, detailed Table step 2D1.1(c); 1987 2D1.1. current tiers, ranges substances. reflect assessment equivalent culpability traffic types drugs, all tier assigned base level. D1.1(c). level adjusted yields specific depending defendant's history. 1B1.1. 14 mandatory-minimum turn quantities, itself noted "mandatory minimums structurally functionally odds seek achieve." Special Report Congress: Mandatory Minimum Penalties Criminal System 26 (Aug.1991). 15 "The essentially finely calibrated example, increases, there proportional increase marked contrast, flat, tariff-like sentencing. Whereas smooth continuum, result "cliffs." "cliffs" compromise proportionality, fundamental premise just punishment, primary goal Act." iii. 16 Despite incongruities between sought make parallel scheme instances. ("The in, equivalences derived from, (21 basis guideline sentences"). As general rule, adopts does: "Unless otherwise specified, table refers substance." (A); (" 'Mixture substance' meaning except expressly provided"); (weighing rule "[c]onsistent provisions Act"). narcotics, will inconsistency calculations quantities. trade, 1993 decided could follow fulfill directive promote proportionate "[b]ecause media vary widely typically far exceed itself, basing produce disparity (but weights), disproportionate other, dangerous PCP." D1.1, To remedy problem, provide: "In case (e.g., sheet paper), use LSD/carrier medium. Instead, treat equal mg Table." 2D1.1(c) 19 amendment, determines multiplying number submitted amendment disapprove 180 days allotted 994(p). took effect force when resentenced. 20 matter, constructive-weight commentary, absent plain constitutional infirmity, Stinson 508 36, 113 1913, 1915, 123 598 (1993), states "for level." next paragraph repeats point: "the [less than] PCP," "harmonize substances," "avoid undue influence varied Ibid. This obscure language choose were attempting revision Guidelines, relevant Furthermore, catalogue reasons adopting ends observation "[n]onetheless, override applicability 'mixture purpose applying (see Chapman; 5G1.1(b))." citation tandem 5G1.1(b), advises "[w]here statutorily required maximum range, shall sentence," they conflict. seems acknowledge preferable alike, it. 22 Were we, argument's sake, adopt view last consistent term prevail. some (because milligrams, 0.35 per medium, backg'd), 459, 1924. t o alleged doctrine decisis, assess Lechmere, NLRB, 502 527, 536-537, 112 847-848, 117 79 (1992); Maislin Industries, Primary Steel, 497 116, 131, 110 2759, 2768, 94 (1990). 23 Our reluctance overturn precedents derives part institutional concerns about relationship judiciary Congress. One reason great area free Court's legislation." Illinois Brick Co. 720, 736, 97 2061, 2070, 52 707 (1977). overruled development "removed weakened conceptual underpinnings decision, where rendered irreconcilable competing legal doctrines policies." Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 173, 2363, 2370, 105 (citations omitted). Absent compelling evidence bearing Congress' original intent, NLRB Longshoremen, 473 61, 84, 3045, 3058-3059, (1985), demands interpretations statutes. Entrusted sphere judgments, abandon old favor desirable "approach" We, latitude forsake True, little logic defend treatment LSD; results significant meted out relative traffickers. (Although high, quantities defendant sell comparable yield doses, Marshall, 908 F.2d 1312, 1334 (C.A.7 1990) (Posner, dissenting), aff'd sub. nom. (1991)). Even revising less exercise correct 24 involves "carrier choice" vast majority cases." 466, 1928. Just declined entertain "hypothetical very heavy carriers LSD" resolving due process challenge, ibid., cases. hold judgment ordered. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 L.Ed. 499.

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