Legal Document

450 U.S. 24 101 Supreme Court Reporter 960 67 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 17 Hoyt WEAVER, Petitioner,v.Robert GRAHAM, Governor of Florida. Number 79-5780. Argued Nov. 5, 1980. Decided Feb. 24, 1981. Syllabus Held: A Florida statute repealing an earlier and reducing the amount "gain time" for good conduct obedience to prison rules deducted from a convicted prisoner's sentence is unconstitutional as ex post facto law applied petitioner, whose crime was committed before statute's enactment. Pp. 28-36. (a) For criminal or penal be facto, it must retrospective, that is, apply events occurring its enactment, disadvantage offender affected by it. Lindsey versus Washington, 301 397, 401, 57 797, 799, 81 L.Ed. 1182; Calder Bull, 3 Dall. 386, 390, 1 648. It need not impair "vested right." Even if merely alters provisions accorded grace legislature, violates Ex Post Facto Clause both retrospective more onerous than in effect on date offense. 28-31. (b) The effect, form, determines whether facto. Although face applies only after effective date, respondent conceded used calculate gain time available prisoners, such acts date. Regardless prospect some technical sense part petitioner's sentence, substantially consequences attached already completed, changing quantum punishment, thus which can constitutionally petitioner his detriment. 31-33. (c) disadvantageous other similarly situated prisoners. reduction had been under repealed abiding adequately performing assigned tasks lengthens period someone position spend prison. immaterial statutory were also enacted whereby prisoner might earn extra satisfying conditions. award purely discretionary, contingent correctional authorities' wishes inmate's special behavior, none compensates solely conduct. new provision therefore constricts opportunity early release therebymakes punishment crimes 33-36. La., 376 So.2d 855, reversed remanded. Thomas C. MacDonald, Jr., Menlo Park, Cal., petitioner. Wallace E. Allbritton, Tallahassee, Fla., respondent. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. Florida, like many States, rewards each using formula reduces portion he serve. In this case, we consider altering availability conduct"1 when 2 * relevant facts are undisputed. Petitioner pleaded guilty second-degree murder. charged occurred January 31, 1976. On May 13, 1976, sentenced term 15 years, less timealready served. state place offense sentencing provided deducting gain-time credits sentences "of every who has no infraction regulations division, laws state, performed faithful, diligent, industrious, orderly peaceful manner, work, duties him." Fla.Stat. § 944.27(1) (1975).2 According formula, calculated month accumulate at increasing rate Thus, directed authorities "shall grant following deductions" conduct: "(a) Five days per off first second years sentence; 4 "(b) Ten third fourth 5 "(c) Fifteen fifth all succeeding sentence." (1975). 6 1978, Legislature monthly deductions. This provided: 7 Three 8 Six 9 Nine 944.275(1) (1979).3 10 implemented 1, 1979, since State prisoners enactment but including offenses took date.4 11 Petitioner, acting pro se, sought writ habeas corpus ground him prohibited Constitutions.5 He alleged reduced accumulation would extend required over approximately 14 percent original 15-year sentence.6 summarily denied petition. 855. court relied decision companion case raising same issue where reasoned allowance act rather vested right may withdrawn, modified, denied." Harris Wainwright, 856 (1979).7 We granted certiorari, 445 927, 100 1311, 63 759, now reverse. II 12 prohibition8 forbids Congress enact any "which imposes punishable committed; additional then prescribed." Cummings Missouri, Wall. 277, 325-326, 18 356 (1867). See 1182 (1937); Rooney North Dakota, 196 319, 324-325, 25 264, 265-266, 49 494 (1905); re Medley, 134 160, 171, 384, 387, 33 835 (1890); 648 (1798).9 Through prohibition, Framers assure legislative Acts give fair warning their permit individuals rely meaning until explicitly changed. Dobbert 432 282, 298, 97 2290, 2300, 53 344 (1977); Kring 107 221, 229, 443, 449, 27 506 (1883); supra, 387. ban restricts governmental power restraining arbitrary potentially vindictive legislation. Malloy South Carolina, 237 180, 183, 35 507, 508, 59 905 (1915); U.S., S.Ct., 449; Fletcher Peck, Cranch 87, 138, 162 (1810); 395, 396 (Paterson, J.); Federalist 44 (J. Madison), 84 (A. Hamilton).10 13 accord with these purposes, our decisions prescribe two critical elements present facto: enactment,11 it.12 799; 390. Contrary reasoning right" violate prohibition.13 Evaluating vestedis important claims Contracts Due Process Clauses, protect pre-existing entitlements. See, e. g., Wood Lovett, 313 362, 371, 61 983, 987, 85 1404 (1941); Dodge Board Education, 302 74, 78-79, 58 98, 100, 82 (1937). Railroad Retirement Fritz, 449 166, 174, 453, 459, 66 368 (1980). presence absence affirmative, enforceable relevant, however, imposition severe punished occurred. Critical relief individual's lack notice restraint legislature increases beyond what prescribed consummated. even ofthe offense.14 light considerations. maintains Florida's 1978 because, face, Brief Respondent 12, 15-16. argument fails acknowledge facto.15 question changes legal completed context recast asking (1979) provision's Clearly, answer affirmative. concedes uses 944.275(1), 1976.16 attaches effect. Nonetheless, contends State's revised because predecessor "no annexed sentenced." 12. contentionis foreclosed precedents. First, determine conclude fact one determinant term—and altered once 401-402, Greenfield Scafati, 277 F.Supp. 644 (Mass.1967) (three-judge court), aff'd, 390 713, 88 1409, 20 250 (1968). Rodriguez Parole Comm'n, 594 Federal Reporter, 2nd 170 (CA7 1979) (elimination parole eligibility held violation). have previously recognized imprisonment significant factor entering into defendant's plea bargain judge's calculation imposed. Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 557, 94 2963, 2975, 41 935 (1974); Warden Marrero, 417 653, 658, 2532, 2535, 383 (1974). De Simone, 468 1196 (CA2 1972); Durant 410 689, 692 (CA1 1969). Second, punitive conditions outside sentence. concluded requiring solitary confinement prior execution capital prospectively. Compare (1890), Holden Minnesota, 137 483, 143, 34 734 (1890). (1867).17 16 "the punishment." 293-294, 2298. Therefore, Id., 294, B Whether ameliorates worsens imposed federal question. 400, 798. 184, 508; 325, 265. inquiry looks challenged provision, circumstances mitigate particular individual. 300, 2301; Under inquiry, number inmate abides performs tasks. By definition, "[i]t plainly substantial petitioners deprived receive them freedom custody control expiration term." Here, disadvantaged reducedopportunity shorten simply through affirmed judgment three-judge District found violation application denying six months revocation There, here, restrictions release. vein, distinction between depriving deductions qualify for, hence earn, parole. Each . materially 'alters situation accused disadvantage.' " F.Supp., 646 (quoting 387). Murphy Commonwealth, 172 Mass. 52 Northeastern KF135 N59 505 (1899). 19 argues should end point examined conjunction 18-26. net increased deductions.18 There doubt intended promote rehabilitation create incentives specified productive 944.012 (1979). But remains satisfactory work avoids disciplinary violations could obtain (1975), To make up difference, satisfy discretionary provisions.19 then, behavior inmate, saving life diligent performance academic program. §§ 944.275(3)(a), contrast, old statutes, automatically entitled avoiding infractions (1975).20 inmate'sopportunity release, thereby makes result runs afoul prohibition against laws.21 III find void reverse remand further proceedings inconsistent opinion.22 21 Reversed 22 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring judgment. 23 Were writing clean slate, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions vote affirm Mythesis be: operates prospectively does affect earned accumulated statute; "good something of, inherent in, imposed; did remove hope opportunity; (d) enhanced statute. addition, Court's 18th footnote reveals, ante, 34-35, change means entirely restrictive; certain respects lenient, careful preservation clearly implies. Ante, 36 page, n. 22. precedents, particularly (1937), summary disposition (Mass.1967), (1968), although warmly persuasive me, look way, accede REHNQUIST, 26 close one. As recently noted: "It axiomatic law." 2298, (1977). loss accrue pursuant 5-10-15 changed 3-6-9 formula. statute, afforded opportunities availableunder good-conduct formula.* resolved comparing "We compare procedures toto fairly characterized onerous." Ibid. am persuaded albeit without doubt, old, accrued reduced, offset awards activities extending "staying out trouble." say, automatic time, however slight, ever great, reductions credit never 28 Since viewed total package, emphasized nothing today's compels provide benefits require pay price. clear earning provisions. course, resolve. (1979); At offense, "good-time," refer "allowance meritorious exceptional industry." 944.29 current adopts phrase "gain-time" various kinds credited reduce term. 944.275(3) based factors. 18, infra. minor language differences directing Department Offender Rehabilitation "who acceptable manner duties, assigned," (1979), replaces former phrase, orderly, version adds made "on basis, earned," appears codify previous practice. significance evaluating claim, nor party here assert inquiry. No clause limiting Act's included. Fla.Laws, ch. 78-304. applying schedule Secretary Attorney General Fla.Op.Atty.Gen. 078-96 (1978). "No shall pass Law." U.S.Const., Article I, 10, cl. 1. Constitution provides "[n]o passed." Fla.Const., 10. X, (forbidding "affect[ing] [the] prosecution punishment" committed). estimated "tentative date" 944.27 (1975) December 1984. App. 15a. starting resulted projected February 2, 1987. 12a-13a. dispute contention difference stake. distinguished cases jurisdictions striking down statutes eliminated situations, entire scheme penalties, extended incarceration juvenile offenders. So.2d, 857 (distinguishing Dowd Sims, 229 Ind. 54, 95 Eastern 628 (1950); Goldsworthy Hannifin, 86 Nev. 252, Pacific 350 (1970); Dewing, Cal.3d 136 Cal.Rptr. 708, 560 375 Valenzuela, 275 Cal.App.2d 79 760 (1969)). 9, 3; "So much importance [c]onvention attach [the prohibition], twice Constitution." 227, 448, (1883). "The enhancement crime, penalty, seems come within mischief creation penalty" fact. Dall., 397 J.). (1810) ("An renders committed"). upholds separation powers confining prospective judiciary executive applications existing law. Cf. Ogden Blackledge, 272, 276 (1804). Jaehne New York, 128 189, 194, 70, 71, 32 398 (1888) (portion legislation 'should endeavor reach retroactive operation committed' ") T. Cooley, Constitutional Limitations 215 (5th ed. 1883)). occurs effected procedural, "not increase ingredients ultimate necessary establish guilt." Hopt Utah, 110 574, 590, 202, 210, 262 (1884). 293, Alteration right, takes seemingly procedural form. Thompson 343, 354-355, 620, 624, 42 1061 (1898); 232, 452. concept rights, 856, apparently drew test civil context. Sands, Sutherland Statutory Construction 41.06 (4th 1973); Hochman, Constitutionality Retroactive Legislation, 73 Harv.L.Rev. 692, 696 (1960); Smead, Rule Against Legislation: Basic Principle Jurisprudence, Minn.L.Rev. 775, 782 (1936). Discussion rights seldom appeared analysis, identifying substantive procedural. 210. When engages concerned assigns occurred, irrelevant touches rights. Several courts properly concerns. Curtis, 363 1375, 1379, 1382 (La.1978); rel. Woodward Parole, 155 La. 699, 700, 99 Southern S69 534, 535-536 (1924); 505, 507 advances several theories incorporate approach. example, defends take away earned. 39-40. pertinence alleging due process violation, see (1974), relevance claim. 691 1969); Adkins Bordenkircher, 885, 887 (W.Va.1980); Nev., 256-257, P.2d, 352. N.E., 507. deals substance, shadows. Its inhibition levelled thing, name. citizen secure deprivation past disguised." 12a-13a (Affidavit, Louie Secretary, Corrections). issue, length maximum mandatory. question, often acknowledged, greater commission Greene State, 238 296 (Fla.1970); Higginbotham Fla. 26, 233, 235 Herberle P2 R. O. Liquidating Co., 186 280, 282 (Fla.App.1966). Thus (1977), there role jury judge sentencing, add "quantum (1915), method evidence showed humane, retrospective. 185, 509. These grants inmates requirement, deserve reward designated categories. 944.275(3)(b) "special gain-time" 60 "may granted" "inmate outstanding deed, assisting recapturing escaped inmate." Another specifies "faithfully assignments given conscientious above normally expected him" either shows "his desire better average inmate" "diligently participates approved course vocation study." 944.275(3)(a). An awarded labor evaluated basis diligence quality quantity performed, skill work." 944.275(2)(b). Finally, unable "age, illness, infirmity, reasons discipline," "constructive utilization time." 944.275(2)(e). few "new" sources do reiterate regulation. 944.275(3)(a) ("an good-time industry"); 944.275(2)(b) (authorizing administrative governing time) Fla.Admin.Code, 10B-20.04(1) (gain construction project); 10B-20.04(2) deed). Moreover, existence Corrections enjoyed discretion awarding awarded. put it, "all stay 25. now, "shall" those obey perform satisfactorily. (1975); cannot fully compensate uncertain. 172, 388, (1890) (rejecting nondisclosure uncertainty mental anxiety). replacement mandatory permissible 799. rejected flexible restricted defendants' serve lengthy consideration respondent's claim alter 17-18. incorrect, uncontested available, allocation. Part II-A. Respondent's reliance general statement intent unrelated (citing 944.012(6) (1979)), unpersuasive. proper upon conclusion being treated apply, possible, 402, 173, 388. remanding relief, note severable still him. 44.04 1973). While points 35, 19, convinced "reiterate[d]" available. analogues scheme. 944.275(2)(e) (up age, discipline); diligently participate vocational study). Other counterparts improved time. system, constructive labor, while scheme, day

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