Legal Document

345 U.S. 565 73 Supreme Court Reporter 911 97 L.Ed. 1250 TINDERv.UNITED STATES. Number 113. Argued April 9 and 10, 1953. Decided May 25, Mr. William W. Koontz, Alexandria, Va., for petitioner. Murry Lee Randall, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On September 13, 1950, petitioner pleaded guilty to a six-count indictment charging theft six separate letters from mailboxes addressees in violation 18 United States Code KF62 § 1708, Annotated KF65 U5 1708. Petitioner was sentenced three years' imprisonment on each count, sentences run concurrently. After serving almost year his term, petitioner, August 3. 1951, filed motion under 28 2255, vacate or correct sentence ground that did not allege any stolen had value more than $100, hence charged misdemeanors maximum penalty which one year, instead felonies maxmum five years. The District denied petitioner's Appeals Fourth Circuit affirmed. 193 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 720, 722. Both courts below held misdemeanor provision 1708 applies only thefts 'any article thing' turn been taken letter package, intact units mail. As this result direct conflict with position by Ninth Armstrong versus States, 187 954, we granted certiorari resolve conflict. 343 976, 72 1079, 96 1369. statute question appears margin.1 2 According view Government adopted below, lesser is limited mail as opposed punishment may be imposed. Under Government's construction, phrase 'article does refer letters. Thus one-year becomes appropriate when received manner prohibited statute, contents thereof then illegally removed. We do agree distinction. 3 early 1810 Congress punished (2 Statutes-at-Large 598). That provided seven containing value,' fine $500 'not evidence thereof'. In 1825 amended provide increased penalties two offenses distinction retained (4 109). an 1872 revision, however, nature eliminated (17 318). revision could imposed This over-al years carried over 1909 Act (35 1125) 317, antecedent enacted 1948. 1948 entire federal criminal code comprehensive revision. Among other changes here pertinent, added 'but if face such thing exceed he shall fined $1,000 imprisoned both.' Reviser's Note addition accompanied bill explained states '(t)he smaller offense involving $100 less added.' (18 1708.) note also called attention similar adjustments §§ 641 645, relate illegal abstractions government records, vouchers things value. Nothing said would now have us accede.2 4 pointed out decision, 'It simple matter reviser, Congress, made clear, intent, stealing 'an item mail, leaving otherwise intact, regarded serious itself. A highly technical sort, easily spelled out, cannot general words concluding proviso Sec. Those must deemed include previously mentioned whether it described specifically 'letter' generally thing." 956. 5 Following Postmaster General Attorney asked eliminate because crime divided into 'felonies determining factor.' S.Rep. 980, 82d Cong., 1st Sess., Pages 3—4; H.R.Rep. 1674, 2d 3—5. Subsequent our granting certiorari, June 9, 1952, proposal approved, July 1, 1952. 66 314. Although thus led grant change can no effect prior conviction petitioner's. view, wording its purpose shown Notes, improperly convicted felony. 6 has power justice case requires.3 2106, 2106. judgment reversed cause remanded sentence. 7 It so ordered. 8 Reversed directions. BURTON, CLARK, MINTON, dissenting, affirm reasons stated court, 720. 10 CHIEF JUSTICE, having heard all oral argument, took part consideration decision case. 'Whoever steals, takes, abstracts, fraud deception obtains, attempts obtain, post office, station thereof, box, receptacle, route authorized depository matter, carrier, letter, postal card, bag, abstracts removes contained therein, secretes, embezzles, destroys therein; obtains therein left collection upon adjacent box matter; buys, receives, conceals, unlawfully possession, stolen, taken, embezzled, abstracted, herein described, knowing same abstracted— 'Shall $2,000 years, both; but Chief Reviser House Committee Revision Laws follows: 'Changes Punishment 'Our work revealed many inconsistencies punishments. Some appeared too lenient others harsh compared crimes gravity. Our problem twofold. 'First, found spite exact definition misdemeanors, 29 punishments were inaccurately labeled, resulting conflicting court opinions. solved omitting description felony misdemeanor, test kind crime, definitive section. 'Second, discovered disparities considered various crimes. Before attempting these differences prepared master table showing punishment. way inequalities brought uniformity conflicts time developed.' Hearings H.R. 5450, 78th Page 6. Patterson State Alabama, 294 600, 607, 55 575, 578, 79 1082; Minnesota National Tea Co., 309 551, 555, 60 676, 678, 84 920; Walling James V. Reuter, Inc., 321 671, 64 826, 828, 88 1001.

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