Legal Document

378 U.S. 530 84 Supreme Court Reporter 1895 12 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1012 Milton BERMAN, petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. Number 245.—. the October Term, 1963. June 22, 1964 Rehearing Denied Oct. 12, 1964. See 85 14. This case seems to me be decided on premise that it is more important Federal Rules Criminal Procedure slavishly followed than justibe done. & N Dec. Immigration and Nationality Decisions cannot agree any such principle therefore dissent. Bernard baron Polak, New York City, for petitioner. Theodore G. Gilinsky, Washington, D. C., respondent. On Writ Certiorari Appeals Second Circuit. PER CURIAM. 1 The judgment Circuit affirmed. versus Robinson, 361 220, 80 282, 4 259. 2 Mr. Justice BLACK, with whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, DOUGLAS, as GOLDBERG join, dissenting. 3 Petitioner was convicted in District Southern two counts—one possessing counterfeit currency one receiving stolen securities. He sentenced concurrent prison terms years each count a total fine $2,000. appeal. Rule 37(a)(2) requires notice appeal filed within 10 days. Here tenth d y fell Saturday. preceding Friday an associate petitioner's attorney had given filing left office fever went home bed, where he stayed until late Sunday. Because associate's illness, not Saturday; instead, Monday morning. Appeals, motion Government, dismissed ground under 45(a) been day late. Two days after this dismissal, petitioner, authorized by Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 35, moved reduction sentence. motion, supporting affidavits, pointed out because Indeed, principal urged upon court acting granting would enable petitioner from amended sentence challenge validity original conviction. prosecuting objected, saying 'I think has his shot, it's all over. no further right if reduced.' Judge, stating understanding 'contrary' prosecutor, granted and, exercising authority reduced year eight months count. following day, counsel second appeal, but again Government's dismiss, rejecting Court's holding time began run anew partial rejection defendant's 35 motion. now affirms simple citation Robinson should confined its particular facts, number other reasons, reverse Appeals. In Berman, contended since first evidence introduced at trial obtained result unlawful search seizure statement way confession made him involuntary have excluded violation Fifth Amendment. most perfunctory review record shows neither those questions frivolous.* Fay Noia, 372 391, 83 822, 9 837, Court, exhaustive discussion question many prior decisions held defendant who use coerced state could obtain relief federal habeas corpus proceeding notwithstanding fact procedural default courts which barred conviction courts. It unthinkable same rule applied so grant denied federally guaranteed failure comply particularly abhorrent can enforced where, here, sole reason cutting off that, lawyer entrusts duty physically transporting fails get there taken ill. 5 Moreover, case, holds controlling expressly stated, U.S., 230 n. 14, 288, allowance expiration prescribed time. 6 'seems unnecessary accomplishment substantial justice, are collateral remedies available redress denial basic rights. Examples are: power correct illegal * *; entertain attack vacate, set aside or 28 Code KF62 § 2255. *' 7 strange directed attention 2255 proceedings section provides 'A prisoner custody established Act Congress claiming released imposed Constitution may move sentence.' 8 My belief even require dismissal do be, remand directions treat application Such course similar circumstances Tenth Hixon States, 268 Reporter, 2nd 667, 37(a)(2). And we said Bartone 375 52, 54, 21, 11 11: 'Where snarls obstacles preclude effective remedy against unconstitutional convictions, choice proceeding. 837. But situation different proceedings, over both Courts (McNabb 318 332, 63 608, 87 819) broad powers supervision. appropriate, whenever possible, errors reachable rather remit parties new proceeding.' precisely what done insists affirming harsh action dismissing For however, affirm dismissal. believe timely liberal, permissible, construction consonant ends justice. says appeals must 'within days' entry order appealed from. last 10-day period counted 'it Sunday legal holiday'; runs 'until end next nor holiday.' Neither these rules happen Saturday, defines 'legal 56, sheds some light, states shall open papers during business hours 'on except Sundays holidays,' notes Advisory Committee responsible language holidays' include only holidays also 'holidays laws State clerk's located.' (Emphasis supplied.) point, law specific. sits, offices clerks closed Saturdays statute provides: 'Whenever paper act performed expires aturday, therefor hereby extended including day.' N.Y. Judiciary Law, 282 (1963 Cum.Pocket Part). practice public York; example, Saturday county clerk N.Y.County 902, counties, id., 206-a situation, simply put, this: say They obviously intended extend when falls bar able accustomed courts—such holidays. refer practitioners defining holidays, better avoid pitfalls local lawyers might otherwise lose their clients' cases reliance holiday closings At very outset Rules, authors proclaimed 'are provide just determination every criminal proceeding' commanded construe them 'to secure simplicity procedure, fairness administration elimination unjustifiable expense delay.' 2. With principles mind, how, then, take problem deciding happens Saturday—something covered Rules—and were impersonal, academic exercise symoblic logic? Here, quite contrary Rules' promise, constitutional hearing draconian interpretation Rules. became ill affidavit aware did follow extending undisputed. Where clear leave court's interpretation, fail see how procedure simplified, justice fairer, delay eliminated choosing strictest rigorous possible 13 There another fairly construed unjust here reaches. After appellate back stated above. That granted, appeal; dismissed. reasoning Corey 169, 298, 229, fits case. Corey, committed 18 4208(b), pending report Bureau Prisons. Three later, received, sentenced. dismissed, begun running order. reversed, taken, option, either final sentencing. Similarly, foreclose appealing second, judgment. As 175, S.Ct., 303, 'simply sought conviction' initial does mean deny later Furthermore, consistently once reviewing jurisdiction issue (here sentence), consider arising earlier stages Mercer Theriot, 377 152, 153, 1157, 115 ; Urie Thompson, 337 163, 171-173, 69 1018, 1025-1026, 93 1282. 14 Oddly enough, man crime worse civil litigant, whose Civ.Proc. 73 'alter amend' cause anew. sufficient 73's provision dealing 'excusable neglect.' Wolfsohn Hankin, 376 203, 699, 636; Thompson Naturalization Service, 384, 397, 404; Harris Truck Lines, Incorporated Cherry Meat Packers, Inc., 371 215, 283, 261. Surely strictly applied. Even odd lawyer, lawyer. Cf. Fallen 139, 1689. being used cut represented sentenced, 'the advised requests, prepare file' defendant. took equivalent steps: executed Thursday. lawyer's ill, treated apt confuse trap perfectly healthy familiar practice. Having several ways heard merits claim, regret say, chose interpret reach, defeat, 'just determination' 15 Throughout history men suffer systems worshipped rigid formalities remember Laws Medes Persians injustice spawned tortuous labyrinth common-law pleading creation equity counteract. Of course, civilized system judicial enough looseness joints avert gross denials litigant's rights growing mistake negligence failing file proper kind moment. Link Wabash R. Co., 370 626, 636, 82 1386, 734 (dissenting opinion). framed declared purpose ensuring thwarted too little imagination themselves, means end: achievement equal all. doubt disposition congenial climate Baron Parke's day. confess, am uncomfortable notion exist fashion preserve inviolate instead apply litigants. addition raised decision Jackson Denno, 368, 1774, creates third. judge himself pass voluntariness Berman's confession; charged jury they 'sole judges' confession. doing, called 'New rule'—a unconstitutional.

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