Legal Document

329 U.S. 379 67 Supreme Court Reporter 332 91 L.Ed. 359 UNITED STATESv.SHERIDAN. Number 53. Argued Nov. 12, 13, 1946. Decided Dec. 23, Rehearing Denied Feb. 3, 1947. See 834, 628. Leon Ulman, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. John or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Pickering, respondent. Mr. Justice RUTLEDGE delivered the opinion Court. 1 Sheridan was indicted on three counts having violated § 3 National Stolen Property Act, as amended, 48 Statutes-at-Large 795, 53 1178, 18 United States Code KF62 §§ 413—419, Annotated KF65 U5 413—419. A jury found him guilty all counts.1 On authority Kann versus States, 323 88, 65 148, 89 157 American Law 406, Circuit Appeals Sixth reversed conviction, 152 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 57. Because doubt to applicability case, we granted certiorari.2 328 829, 66 1020. 2 Each count charged that with fraudulent intent, caused transportation in interstate commerce a specified forged check, knowing it have been forged. The proof3 offered support these showed July 19, 1943, Jackson, Michigan, cashed checks, receiving them either cash and hotel service goods. Two, which were made basis one two, drawn bank Cape Girardeau, Missouri, payable order 'P.H.D. Sheridan,' purported be by 'U.S.E.F.C. 14A, Atlantic Judge Davis, Commissioner. As will seen, is not necessary consider third count, involving other check. From endorsements clear each check had honored banks at Michigan. They forwarded two checks Missouri payment. Both marked 'no account' returned forwarding bank. An agent Bureau Investigation testified his office conducted an investigation Department Commerce no 14A,' nor 'A. Commissioner.' 4 sentenced five years' imprisonment sentences run concurrently. Hence, if conviction any valid, unnecessary convictions two. Hirabayashi 320 81, 85, 63 1375, 1378, 87 1774; Pinkerton 640, n. 1, 1180. Accordingly, purposes this decision may taken only are issue.4 5 * pertinent part amended set out margin.5 Whether Sheridan's situation within intended coverage depends upon answer given questions, namely: (1) Did he cause transported security;6 (2) so, did do 'with unlawful intent'? It respects section's meaning must determined. 6 questioned 'securities,' they 'forged,' commerce.7 urged, however, 'cause' transportation, since objective attained when what happened later consequence plan. Hence concluded can said 'caused' sense would occurred checks. This 'but for' relation considered insufficient statute thought simply forbid use securities without more; but out-law such contributes essential carrying specific fraud. 7 second contention, though stated differently, comes substantially same thing. that, assumption held still so requisite 'unalwful intent,' namely, aid completing These views bolstered strong reliance decision. 8 Government answers essentially arguments. One primarily from embodiment Act. shortly offense takes color character offenses associated context 3. Broadly, therefore says section excludes just does stolen goods,8 money securities, counterfeited counterfeiting tools, matter diseased cattle, lottery tickets, adulterated foods, etc., excluded under various statutes related Act.9 More narrowly argues here necessarily aided contributed perpetration fraud, enabling respondent secure possession originally its fruits, then giving interval make escape; thus avoid prosecution restitution amount early detection probable. 9 entirely fresh should difficulty avoiding force Government's views. setting together complete absence anything legislative history indicate causing designed treated differently goods, indicates plainly transporting articles manner and, moreover, limited argues. 10 Congress mind preventing further frauds completion partially executed. But also contemplated coming states detecting punishing criminals whose state law, who utilize channels successful get away state's punitive processes impotent.10 indeed most effective ways well irrevocable executed ones. In light purpose, believe restrict prohibited money, situations where defrauder initially seeks. intent more general. 11 true forbids forging 'With while earlier proscribed required terms done knowledge stolen. difference seem procedural, substantive character.11 But, event, controlling here. For question remains whether case requires us hold intent' restricting forbidden cases element aids securing fruits II 12 That alleged party scheme could convicted 215 Criminal Code, 338, using mails 'for purpose executing scheme' proving associates proceeds banks, turn mailed drawee collection, being neither dishonored drawn. We think distinguishable both applied facts. comparison exact, forth applicable wording sections. 13 Section involved follows: 'Whoever, devised artifice defraud, obtaining property means false pretenses, representations, promises, shall, attempting do, place, placed, letter post office, mail according direction thereon letter, shall fined than $1,000, imprisoned years, both.' (Emphasis added.) 14 Amended Act reads pertinently, except important contextual coloring:12 '* whoever transport falsely made, forged, altered, punished fine $10,000 ten *.' Under express requireme t mailing do.' There explicit requirement there intent.' different settings proscriptions meaning, think, their effects distinct. emphasize outset federal-state cooperation apprehending criminals, deals distinctly federal crime. 15 language broader less 215. word 'unlawful' former ignored. Nor rendered meaningless identifying 'fraudulent,' especially latter endowed restrictive connotation, expressly stated, scheme.' has narrow meaning. Literally broad enough include concealing restoration. 16 Moreover, setting, quoted now sought read into restricted significance getting irrevocably, subsequent significant influence producing effect or, therefore, scheme;13 toward 17 those circumstances effects, respect very presented. altered. Here were. drawees after mailing. transportation. payee—indorsers knew be. much likely produce disclosure one. Accordingly affected So concerning it. Indeed recognized result might called for, even purposive putting aside sustaining 'a concealment perpetrated,'14 said: 'In ordinarily closer conduct mere clearing although conceivable alone, some settings, enough.' page 95, 151, 406. 19 dealing transmission certain crime obviously provide escape before made.15 cannot say reached applying 215, view differences reservation greater possibilities concealment. 20 distinguish case. addition, altogether unjustified rewrite words mean artifice' aiding phrase Apart irrevocability legal sense, disregard Congress' like original form, apprehension punishment substantially, strictly past crimes sort used method defeating exercise functions. 21 tear give distinct status, reference compared transportations, respondent's reading. amending extending law enforcement arm reach larger dealers securities.16 Not bonds coupons, forms instruments target. shows bring operators power others money.17 object easy, $5,000 minimum value intentionally omitted. amendment extension, contraction preexisting provisions. 22 however persons innocently, knowingly, articles. introduce safeguarding language. inserting Broad was, sufficient excluding innocent safeguard counterfeiter professional forger, because proved dispositions. To take nullify amendment's effectiveness. 23 treat forgery 'little fellows' perhaps primary aim congressional fire. includes checks.18 makes distinction between large small operators. room implying limitation scale transactions Sheridan's, operation covered literally purposively. Had intended, appropriate exception easily made. 24 If assumed evidence supports conclusions come here,19 perpetrated frauds, including forgeries, day. Forgery, repeated, amateurish, amounts obtained small. Notoriously once becomes habitual. And forgers notoriously itinerant. Drawing out-of-state bank, sent presentation, facile way delay often defeat apprehension, restoration illgo gain. sound reasons why wish exclude persons, among grasp. 25 dispose idea Certainly collection. Given proven uttering, conclusion possible. Necessarily, too, follow paying send purpose. He cross lines induces another exactly intends, defrauding him, hardly done. itself point, fact goes farther For, respected contention advanced, fair inference defendants drew, cashed, believed took drawn, assuming petitioner participated scheme, knowledge.' 93, 150, statement argument III 26 Since controlling, discuss contentions. renewed are, first, verdict; second, testimony inadmissible agency 14A' facts contentions closely related.20 27 admissibility evidence. desirable litigants Court, again us, benefit Appeals. Ballard, 322 78, 64 882, 887, 88 1148. However, first record, stipulated, correctly sets introduced admissible, follows our discussion jury. properly inferred question;21 spurious character; furthermore, negotiated intent. 28 counsel assigned calls attention instructions rulings requested appear record. suggests remanded proceedings, suggest court remand powers bill exceptions, connection therewith. 29 course followed unusual circumstances. Miller 317 192, 199, 200, 187, 191, 179; Helwig 820, 1336. Such presented Respondent defended himself trial. appeal. forma pauperis, brief 'respondent confined Michigan prison funds unable employ own choice.' supra, Rules Procedure effect22 govern proceedings pending date 'so far practicable.'23 Rule 59. Bills abolished.24 record contains evidence, apparently serious deficiency matters relating instructions, noted above. taking corrective action, otherwise, interest seeing substantial justice done, left judgment 30 conformity opinion. 31 CHIEF JUSTICE DOUGLAS dissent. 'having fully informed constitutional right counsel, asked desired desire assistance counsel.' certiorari Clarke Sanford, 156 115, decided Fifth Circuit. appears conflict bar. Tolle 58 F.Supp. 695. trial stenographically reported. parties prepared memory notes during trial, stipulated 'substantially evidence' Government. Upon approval District Count identical involves signed name maker, Government—apparently 'altered' 'counterfeited'—states: 'It general law.' text 'Whoever foreign wares, merchandise, theretofore stolen, feloniously converted, fraud steal purloin, taken, counterfeited, transport, commerce, bed piece, plate, roll, die, seal, stone, type, tool, implement, thing fitted making, forging, altering, security, thereof, 794, 1178. 2(b), defines term 'securities' sufficiency prove challenged, principal contentions, conceded cf. Part III, arguendo. Hearings Committee Judiciary H.R. 10287, 70th Cong., 1st Sess.; H.Rep. 2528, 2d 1462, 73d S.Rep. 538, 1599, 422, 76th 674, Sess. note modeled Motor Vehicle Theft 41 324, 408. Sess., 4; 2. Animal Industry 1884, 31; Suppression Lottery Traffic 1895, 963; Pure Food Drug 1906, 34 768, et seq.; White Slave 1910, 36 825, 397 Webb-Kenyon 1913, 37 699, 122. 2: 'Most laws covering underlying principle proposed legislation, remembered jurisdiction State witnesses bringing proof concerned.' supra 8, passim. knowingly transports goods sorts objects, unlawfully; theft, another; (3) wholly innocent, over police rightful owner. instances inherent act 'unlawful 'fraudulent apart showing intend criminal instance third. defense, elements out. words, doubted adding added crime; require allege rather defendant 5. four members dissented. Lowe, Cir., 115 596; Dunham 125 895; Riedel, 126 81. discovery resulted examination allegedly defrauded corporation's books exam ner, return unpaid Attorney General Senator Ashurst, Chairman Senate Judiciary, Ibid. 6. III. argued regarded render remaining insufficient. is, form based. 4. following 687, March 21, indictment filed October 27, 1944; verdict November 30, entered 1945; petition rehearing denied February 28, Certiorari May 39(c) Advisory Procedure. 'The new rule supersedes VII, VIII, IX 1933, 292 661. results change abolition bills exception.' S.Doc. 175, 79th 62, 63.

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