Court Opinion

ID: 9480724
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 07:56:28.006971+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:47:52.016030
License: Public Domain

BIRCH, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion, and for the reasons that follow, I would grant appellee’s motion to dismiss the government’s appeal. Appellee Griffin’s motion to dismiss the government’s appeal of his sentence, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b), presents an issue of first impression for this court.
I. BACKGROUND
Griffin, together with two co-defendants, Jackie D. Long and Robert F. Money, were jointly indicted for their participation in a cross-burning at a black family’s residence near Holt, Florida. All three co-defendants pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and were sentenced by the same district judge. Long and Money were sen*1486tenced together on October 6, 1989, and Griffin was sentenced on October 27, 1989. The district judge ruled with respect to each co-defendant, based upon the same rationale, that the “arson” and “vulnerable victim” provisions of the Sentencing Guidelines were inapplicable, and that the appropriate offense level was, therefore, 13 rather than 17.
The United States has filed notices of appeal with respect to each co-defendant challenging the sentences imposed. Given the requirements specified in 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b), the government submitted a written appeal recommendation to the Solicitor General on November 2, 1989. The memorandum accompanying the recommendation discussed the facts of the case, the proceedings in the trial court, and the appealable issues with respect to each co-defendant, including Griffin. The government, however, requested authorization to appeal only with respect to Long and Money.1 On November 6, 1989, the date the time for appealing Long and Money’s sentences was due to expire, Solicitor General Kenneth W. Starr signed an “authorization slip”.2 A notice of appeal was filed on the same day, and was assigned “No. 89-3942”.
On November 15, 1989, 11 days prior to the expiration of the time for appeal of Griffin’s sentence, the government submitted a one-page memorandum to the Solicitor General noting the earlier appeal recommendation and authorization, and confirming that, with respect to Griffin, the district court had also ruled, for the same reasons stated at Long and Money's sentencing hearing, that the “arson” and “vulnerable victim” guidelines were inapplicable. The government stated that the issues in the requested Griffin appeal would be identical to those in the previously authorized appeal. On November 17, 1989, nine days prior to the expiration of the appeal time on Griffin’s sentence, Deputy Solicitor General John G. Roberts, Jr. signed an “authorization slip”.3 Based upon that document, a notice of appeal was filed on November 22, 1989, four days prior to the expiration of the time for the government’s appeal.
On February 7, 1990, Griffin’s counsel made a telephone request of the government seeking a copy of the document signed by the Solicitor General personally authorizing the appeal of Griffin’s sentence. Copies of both “authorization slips” theretofore signed (Appendices A and B) were provided to Griffin’s counsel. Also provided to counsel was a copy of an “authorization slip” dated February 7, 1990, personally signed by Solicitor General Starr.
II. DISCUSSION
1. The Positions of the Parties.
Griffin’s motion to dismiss is straightforward and relies on the clear and unambiguous language of 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b), which provides in pertinent part as follows:
§ 3742. Review of sentence
(b) Appeal by the Government. — The Government, with the personal approval of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General, may file a notice of appeal in *1487the district court for review of an otherwise final sentence if the sentence—
(2) was imposed as a result of an incorrect application of the sentencing guidelines.
Griffin’s argument is that the authorizing statute means what it plainly states; that is, that the Attorney General or the Solicitor General must give his "personal approval” before a notice of appeal may be filed. Griffin contends that personal approval was not timely given in this case.
The government states: “It was not then and it is not now the government’s position that a written authorization slip signed by the Solicitor General himself is a prerequisite to this or any similar appeal.”4 In amplification of its position, the government advances three arguments: (1) the signature of the Deputy Solicitor General on the “authorization slip” satisfies the “personal approval” requirement of the statute; (2) in the total context of the appeal authorization events in this case the Solicitor General himself “personally approved" the appeal within the meaning of the statute; and, (3) if there was no “technical compliance” with the “personal approval” requirement of the statute, dismissal of the appeal would not be the appropriate “sanction”.
2. The Substitute Signature Argument.
The government represents that on November 17, 1989, Deputy Solicitor General John G. Roberts, Jr. was acting as Solicitor General while Mr. Starr was “out of the office for a legal conference in San Francisco during the pertinent time period.”5 In support of this conclusory statement the government cites 28 C.F.R. 0.132(e), which in pertinent part6 provides as follows:
The head of each organizational unit of the Department [of Justice] is authorized, in case of absence from office or disability, to designate the ranking deputy (or an equivalent official) in the unit who is available to act as head.
The government contends that “[u]nder 28 C.F.R. 0.132(e), ... the official designates another individual to exercise the official’s own authority in his absence; the desig-nee thus acts as the official in all respects, when (and only when) the official is himself unavailable to exercise that authority.”7
Nowhere in the original record before the court is there any evidence that the Solicitor General exercised his authority under 28 C.F.R. 0.132(e) to designate Mr. Roberts as acting department head. Moreover, after the clerk of the court made a specific request for the government to supplement its brief by submission of any such evidence, nothing definitive was forthcoming.8 Accordingly, even if we were to read the regulation as expansively as the government urges, there is nothing to indicate that the Solicitor General affirmatively designated Mr. Roberts as head of his office. Moreover, we are unable to conclude that Deputy Solicitor General John G. Roberts, Jr. was, in fact, on November 17, 1989, acting for the Solicitor General. From a review of the face of the “authorization slip” executed by Mr. Roberts, it is not at all clear in what capacity he was acting when he signed the document. No *1488words such as “acting organizational unit head” or “designated Solicitor General” appear on the document.
More importantly, the foregoing analysis relative to delegation is not the controlling question. The pivotal issue is whether the Solicitor General (or Attorney General) may delegate his appeal-authorizing authority under the controlling statute. It is my view that he may not.
In United States v. Martin Linen Supply Co., 430 U.S. 564, 568, 97 S.Ct. 1349, 1352-53, 51 L.Ed.2d 642 (1977), the Supreme Court confirmed the general rule: “It has long been established that the United States cannot appeal in a criminal case without express congressional authorization. (citations omitted) ... Therefore, unless barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Constitution, appeals by the Government from the judgments of acquittal entered by the District Court under Rule 29(c) are authorized by [18 U.S.C.] § 3731.” In the case at bar, the express congressional authorization is embodied in 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b). That statute, unlike section 3731, specifically provides for the “personal approval” of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General.9 In this case there is no indication that the requisite personal approval was given before the filing of the appeal.
In support of its position, the government directs our attention to United States v. Gurgiolo, 894 F.2d 56, 57 n. 1 (3d Cir.1990) which suggests the result sought by the government. However, the conclusion asserted by that court in a footnote is unsupported by discussion or authority. The only other reported case that addresses this issue appears to be United States v. Hays, 899 F.2d 515 (6th Cir.1990) wherein the Sixth Circuit stated:
We note that the government belatedly has submitted to the court an authorization of this appeal executed prior to the notice of appeal by the then-acting Solicitor General, as is required under 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b). This court would have been without jurisdiction to hear the government’s appeal had such an authorization by the Solicitor General or Attorney General not been filed. The authorization should have been filed with the notice of appeal.
Id. at 517 n. 1 (emphasis added).
The government also directs our attention to 18 U.S.C. § 2516(1) which requires the personal authorization of the Attorney General for initiation of certain wiretaps. However, that statute specifically contemplates and authorizes delegation. The instant statute does not provide for delegation. Moreover, courts construing 18 U.S.C. § 2516(1) have been strict in interpretation of the personal approval requirement. See United States v. Robinson, 496 F.2d 225 (5th Cir.1974).
3. The Total Context and Ratification Argument.
The thrust of the government’s alternative argument10 is that in the total context of the appeal approval process in this case, the court should find that the Solicitor General himself has “personally approved” the appeal of Griffin’s sentence. After a selective quotation from the legislative history germane to 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b),11 the *1489government concludes: “It is inconceivable that the Solicitor General, having deemed these determinations [i.e., those by the district court in refusing to apply the “arson” and “vulnerable victim” guidelines] worthy of challenge, could have intended to allow the challenge only with respect to Long and Money, and not with respect to their equally-affected co-defendant Griffin.”12 This is, at best, speculation — albeit speculation with logical appeal. There is nothing in the record occurring before filing of the notice of appeal to substantiate or indicate the Solicitor General’s approval. Here we have not only the absence of a written authorization slip, the method and procedure adopted by the Solicitor General’s Office to evidence and communicate his authorization, but a lack of any personal consent or approval before the appeal was initiated.
Finally, the government argues that Mr. Starr’s signing of the “authorization slip” on February 7,1990, over two months after the expiration of the period allowed for the filing of an appeal by the government in Griffin’s case, is a “ratification” of his deputy’s approval of the appeal or, alternatively, of his own earlier purported approval of the appeal. Where personal approval is mandated ratification will not suffice. Inherent in the taking of an appeal are the time limitations and “grace periods” for excusable neglect.13 These mandates cannot be ignored or circumvented through an after-the-fact “ratification” theory of action. Accordingly, I reject the government’s alternative argument.
4. The Nunc Pro Tunc Argument.
The government’s final argument suggests that dismissal is an inappropriate “sanction” should the court determine that there has been no “technical compliance” with the “personal approval” requirement of 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b). It is also suggested that the court should afford the government an opportunity to “cure the defect by obtaining nunc pro tunc the authorization required by 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b), and should dismiss the appeal only if such authorization is not forthcoming.” 14 This argument ignores the general rule that the government may appeal a judgment in a criminal case only when expressly authorized by Congress. United States v. Martin Linen Supply Co., supra, at 1485; Fed.R.App.P. 4(b). Congressional authorization is explicit. Accordingly, an appeal of a sentence under the Sentencing Guidelines may only be initiated when the personal approval of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General is timely given. Absent such authorization the notice of appeal is defective and improperly filed. Under such circumstances dismissal is mandated. I respectfully suggest that this court’s constitutional role is to interpret law and is not to make it. Should Congress' mandate be administratively burdensome, Congress should be petitioned to change it.
*1490APPENDIX A
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*1491APPENDIX B
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*1492[[Image here]]
*1493[[Image here]]
*1494POSITION SPMMRlg A* Deputy Solicitor General and Counselor to the Solicitor General, (1) advises the Solicitor General on policies and procedures governing the work of the office; (2) supervises attorneys in the handling of a variety of appellate matters; (3) perfoms the final review of appellate matters prior to action by the Solicitor General; (4} counsels with the Solicitor General on. cases other than those falling within his direct supervisory-responsibility; and (S) personally prepares or argues selected cases before the Supreme Court. MAJOR DCTI5S AND RSSBONSIBILITXES Serves as the principal assistant to the Solicitor General with respect to appellate matters involving particular subjects (other than tax work generally) assigned by the Solicitor General. In this connection, supervises appellate attorneys who review appeal and certiorari recommendations and drafts of briefs and petitions submitted to the office by other departments >and agencies, and by components of the Department of Justice. Advises and consults with members of the staff of the Solicitor General's Office and consults with the draws upon the services of top officials of this and other agencies in formulating recommendations for or against Supreme Court review and in preparing and reviewing the Government's briefs on the merits. Reviews memoranda recommending for or against appeal by others and submits to the. Solicitor General recommendations for the disposition of the matters. Personally performs the initial review of selected matters. In the Solicitor General's absence, represents the Solicitor General's Office in meetings with the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and others for the purpose of formulating policy and strategy-Personally prepares or argues before the Supreme Court cases of the highest order or complexity and importance. In -the absence of the Solicitor General, acts for him in certain matters.

. At page four of "Response Of The United States To Griffin’s Motion To Dismiss Appeal No. 89-4007” (Government’s Brief) the government states: “We indicated that our representations regarding Griffin's sentencing were subject to confirmation upon receipt of the transcript; that we did not plan to file a notice of appeal with respect to Griffin until we had received and reviewed that transcript; and that we were therefore, for the moment, requesting appeal authorization only with respect to Long and Money." (emphasis added) (footnote omitted)

. Attached here as Appendix A is a copy of what the government identifies as an "authorization slip” ... "authorizing a government appeal of the sentences imposed on Long and Money.” A review of the document discloses very little information since it only contains the word "Appeal”, the caption of the case, the date, and the Solicitor General’s signature and signature block. No reference is made to 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b) or to the fact that it is the sentences which are being appealed. A stamped "expedite” also appears on the face of the document.

.A copy of that document is attached hereto as Appendix B.

. Government’s Brief at 5. We note that the Sixth Circuit disagrees with this conclusion. In United States v. Bogas, 899 F.2d 1222 (6th Cir.1990) (table) (text in WESTLAW), that court asserted that: "This Court is without jurisdiction to hear the government’s appeal under 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b) without a written authorization of the Solicitor General or Attorney General.”

. Government’s Brief at 4, n. 2.

. The government contends that its quotation from the C.F.R. cite is the pertinent part. However, 28 C.F.R. 0.130 ["Functions common to heads of organizational units”] sets out four broad categories of functions to be performed by heads of organizational units (including personnel, administration and budgetary matters and special assignments from the Attorney General). When this section is read in combination with 28 C.F.R. 0.132(e) the “authority” and capacity in which the delegatee acts is thus confined and clearly does not encompass action as an alter ego on matters that Congress intended to be "personal” to the Solicitor General (or Attorney General).

. Government’s Brief at 6, n. 5 (emphasis in original).

. A copy of the government’s response to the clerk’s inquiry is attached hereto as Appendix C.

. As originally enacted, section 3742(b) had at the very end of that section, after itemizing the various circumstances in which such an appeal could be taken, the following language: "... and the Attorney General or the Solicitor General personally approves the filing of the notice of appeal.” The current version of the section, enacted in 1988 (Public Law 100-690 § 7103(a)(5)(B)), includes the operative language in the text at the beginning of the section. The import of both versions is manifestly the same; the Attorney General or the Solicitor General must give his personal approval for the filing of an the appeal.

. As a predicate to advancing this argument, the government assumes that the document signed by Deputy Solicitor General Roberts does not satisfy 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b).

. Completely quoted, the legislative history of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, Pub-L. No. 98-473, 1984 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 3182, 3337-38, states:
The government may petition for review of a sentence only with the personal approval of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General in order to assure that such appeals are not routinely filed for every sentence below the guidelines.... The Committee believes that *1489section 3742 creates for the first time a comprehensive system of review of sentences that permits the appellate process to focus attention on those sentences whose review is crucial to the functioning of the sentencing guidelines system, while also providing adequate means for correction of erroneous and clearly unreasonable sentences.
(emphasis added).

.Government’s Brief at 8.

. Fed.R.App.P. 4(b) ("When an appeal by the government is authorized by statute ... [u]pon a showing of excusable neglect the district court may, before or after the time has expired, ... extend the time for filing a notice of appeal, (emphasis added)).

. Government’s Brief at 10-11.