Court Opinion

ID: 9466384
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 01:14:02.093198+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:39:42.003556
License: Public Domain

RONEY and JAMES C. HILL, Circuit Judges,
with whom CHARLES CLARK, FAY and VANCE, Circuit Judges, join, concurring in part and dissenting in part:
We concur in the result reached in this case, but we dissent from the majority’s failure to address the concurrent sentence doctrine.
Little useful can be done by a minority opinion because application of a concurrent sentence doctrine is a matter of judicial policy about which the Court has a good deal of discretion. We would join a majority in setting that policy. Nevertheless, it may be useful to summarize the precise arguments presented on rehearing in this case, to set forth briefly the history and prior use of the concurrent sentence doctrine in this Court and its application in other circuits, and to suggest some problems which the Court needs to confront, and should have settled here.
In an unusual procedure on a case already once heard en banc, we granted a rehearing solely “on the concurrent sentence issue.” United States v. Warren, 589 F.2d 254 (5th Cir. 1979).
In the original en banc opinion, convictions for violation of 31 U.S.C.A. §§ 1058, 1101, were affirmed under the concurrent sentence doctrine, even though there were previous decisions by this Court that would have required reversal. See United States v. Warren, 578 F.2d 1058, 1076-77 (5th Cir. 1978). Supplemental briefing was requested and extensive briefing was received on three issues:
*892(1) What guidelines should be applied by the Court of Appeals in deciding whether or not to review a conviction on which the sentence received is concurrent with a sentence received on another conviction, which either has not been appealed or has been affirmed on appeal?
(2) Applying these guidelines to this case, should the Court review the conviction of Thomas A. Warren and John L. Warren, Jr. for violation of 31 U.S.C. §§ 1058, 1101 (1970)?
(3) Assuming that those convictions are to be reviewed, what are the merits of , the appeal?
After all this, the Court does nothing whatsoever to resolve the uneven application of the concurrent sentence doctrine in this Circuit. It does, however, review and reverse the convictions, saying only that since the full Court agrees the convictions should be reversed under two prior precedents, it will simply reverse the convictions and express no opinion on the use of the concurrent sentence doctrine.
Thus, the en banc Court seemingly has set this precedent: when the law of the Circuit clearly mandates reversal of any criminal conviction, that conviction should be reviewed and reversed, even though the sentence therefor was concurrent with other valid convictions, without regard to whether adverse consequences would flow from the concurrent sentence.
Because the briefs argue that adverse collateral consequences would result from the sentences, however, the majority opinion’s silence on the point makes it impossible to know how this argument may have affected the judgment of members of the Court. The Court, it seems to us, has failed on two scores: first, it has failed to definitely articulate the premise of its decision so that it can serve as a sure precedent; second, in an area of the law that is confused by uneven precedents, it has failed to provide needed guidance for application of the admittedly discretionary concurrent sentence doctrine.

Guidelines Suggested by Parties

In the briefs submitted to this en banc Court, defendants argue their currency convictions should be reviewed despite the concurrent sentence doctrine, or, to be more precise, should be reviewed under certain suggested guidelines for the use of the doctrine. A brief summary of defendants’ proposals suggests a broad range of concurrent sentence issues. The following are guidelines under which defendants contend their concurrent convictions should be reviewed:
First, the concurrent sentence doctrine should not preclude review of clearly invalid convictions. See United States v. Evans, 572 F.2d 455, 476-77 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 870, 99 S.Ct. 200, 58 L.Ed.2d 182 (1978). Judicial resources are not substantially depleted if reversal of the convictions is mandated by clear precedent.
Second, if there is a reasonable possibility that the reviewed conviction will be reversed in subsequent proceedings, the concurrent sentence doctrine should' not foreclose review of other convictions. See Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. 784, 792-93, 89 S.Ct. 2056, 2061, 23 L.Ed.2d 707 (1969).
Third, if the reviewed conviction was substantially affected by a legal issue raised in the concurrent appeal, the concurrent sentence doctrine should not be applied. In this case, defendants contend that probable cause for the search which led to their marijuana conspiracy convictions depended in part on the validity of the unreviewed currency convictions, see United States v. Warren, 578 F.2d at 1084-85 n. 6 (Fay, J. dissenting), a contention rejected by both en banc opinions, 578 F.2d at 1077 n. 17, and ante, at 889 n. 2.
Fourth, the concurrent sentence doctrine should not apply if there is “any possibility” that the defendant will suffer adverse collateral consequences from the conviction. See United States v. Tanner, 471 F.2d 128, 140 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 949, 93 S.Ct. 269, 34 L.Ed.2d 220 (1972). They assert the following adverse collateral consequences could flow from their convictions:
*8931. Parole. The convictions may have a detrimental impact on parole opportunities. See United States v. Rubin, 591 F.2d 278 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 100 S.Ct. 133, 62 L.Ed.2d 87 (1979).
2. Impeachment. These convictions might subject defendants to impeachment as witnesses in subsequent civil or criminal proceedings. See Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. at 791, 89 S.Ct. at 2060; Government of Canal Zone v. Castillo, 568 F.2d 405, 406 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 436 U.S. 910, 98 S.Ct. 2248, 56 L.Ed.2d 410 (1978). Under Fed.R. Evid. 609(a)(2), even though the conspiracy convictions might not be usable at trial, defendants contend they could be impeached in a federal court with the currency convictions because those convictions might be viewed as involving “dishonesty or [a] false statement.”
3. Enhancement of sentence in future conviction. The convictions could have the consequence of enhancing a subsequent sentence by operation of a recidivist statute.
Defendants propose the following additional guidelines for the application of the concurrent sentence doctrine which would not apply to the circumstances of their convictions:
The concurrent sentence doctrine should not preclude review of a conviction if there exists a reasonable possibility that the sentence on the reviewed and affirmed conviction was enhanced because of the multiple convictions. See Sanders v. United States, 541 F.2d 190, 194 (8th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1066, 97 S.Ct. 796, 50 L.Ed.2d 784 (1977).
Nor should it apply if there is a reasonable possibility that evidence admitted on one conviction, and admissible only as to that conviction, affected the finding of guilt on the reviewed and affirmed conviction. See United States v. Darnell, 545 F.2d 595, 598 (8th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1104, 97 S.Ct. 1134, 51 L.Ed.2d 556 (1977).
They advance three additional adverse collateral consequences which could flow from a conviction:
1. Stigma. Although any criminal conviction is likely to be stigmatizing to some extent, defendants refer to the approbation attaching to particular types of crime. See United States v. Thomas, 148 U.S.App.D.C. 148, 151-52, 459 F.2d 1172, 1175-76 (D.C.Cir. 1972) (cruelty to a child).
2. Deportation. Because an alien may be deported if “convicted of two crimes involving moral turpitude,” 8 U.S.C.A. § 1251(a)(4), review of a conviction which would count toward that threshold is essential.
3. Forfeiture. Although it is not now a factor in this case because of a stipulation with the Government, a forfeiture of property, employment opportunities or civil rights may often be a collateral consequence of a conviction. See United States v. Farrell, 609 F.2d 816, 817-818 (5th Cir. 1980); Ivers v. United States, 581 F.2d 1362, 1366-67 (9th Cir. 1978).
A well prepared brief thoroughly discussing the guideline question was submitted by the Department of Justice. It urges retention of the concurrent sentence doctrine as a rule of judicial efficiency, not for the benefit of the Government, nor for the convenience of the judges or the Court, but for the benefit of other litigants whose cases are waiting to be heard.
The Government argues that an exception to the concurrent sentence doctrine whenever there is, as argued by the defendants, “any possibility” of collateral adverse consequences would effectively swallow the doctrine. As an alternative, it proposes that the doctrine apply unless there is a “real possibility” that the conviction “will have an appreciable impact on a party’s substantial rights.” This standard is likened to the “plain error” test of Fed.R. Crim.P. 52(b), which provides that, at trial, “[pjlain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.”
The Government in many instances agrees with the guidelines suggested by defendants. It extensively briefs the possi*894ble effects on parole, and other specific adverse collateral consequences argued by defendants. It argues that the “nature and substantiality” of the consequences should determine whether or not to apply the concurrent sentence doctrine.
With all of these suggestions before the Court, we think this case ideal for providing an authoritative decision in this field of the law.

Brief History

The history of the concurrent sentence doctrine was reviewed briefly by the Supreme Court in Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. at 788-91, 89 S.Ct. at 2059-2061. According to Benton, the doctrine was first applied to multi-count criminal indictments by the Supreme Court in Claassen v. United States, 142 U.S. 140, 12 S.Ct. 169, 35 L.Ed. 966 (1891), and was thereafter “widely, if somewhat haphazardly, applied” in Supreme Court opinions. Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. at 789, 89 S.Ct. at 2059. The Court in Benton rejected the notion that the doctrine is jurisdictional, holding that it does not bar consideration of challenges to multiple convictions. The Court did state, however, that the doctrine may have some continuing validity as a rule of judicial convenience and as a matter of discretion. Justice White’s concurring opinion noted that the concurrent sentence doctrine “is not a rule of convenience to the judge, but rather of fairness to other litigants,” because it permits more efficient use of scarce judicial resources. Id. at 799, 89 S.Ct. at 2065 (White, J., concurring).
The doctrine was applied in this Circuit at least as early as 1898, Porter v. United States, 91 F. 494 (5th Cir. 1898), and frequently in subsequent cases. See, e. g., United States v. Kelly, 569 F.2d 928 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 829, 99 S.Ct. 105, 58 L.Ed.2d 123 (1978); Yielding v. United States, 173 F.2d 46 (5th Cir. 1949); Levi v. United States, 71 F.2d 353 (5th Cir. 1934); Greene v. United States, 154 F. 401 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 207 U.S. 596, 28 S.Ct. 261, 52 L.Ed. 357 (1907). While language in some earlier opinions could give the impression that the rule is mandatory, Milam v. United States, 340 F.2d 956, 957 (5th Cir. 1965) (“In these circumstances it is established that if the conviction is valid on either count, the judgment must be affirmed”); Morales v. United States, 228 F.2d 762, 763 (5th Cir. 1956) (conviction “should” be affirmed), it is now well settled that application of this doctrine is a matter of discretion. United States v. Dumenigo, 444 F.2d 253 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 404 U.S. 885, 92 S.Ct. 223, 30 L.Ed.2d 168 (1971); United States v. Casey, 428 F.2d 229 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 400 U.S. 839, 91 S.Ct. 78, 27 L.Ed.2d 73 (1970).

Adverse Collateral Consequences

The effect of adverse collateral consequences on the application of the doctrine, argued by both briefs, has developed some substance in the cases.
The Supreme Court in Benton v. Maryland declined to invoke the concurrent sentence rule because it felt that there was a possibility of collateral consequences resulting from the defendant’s second conviction. It would now appear that an “adverse collateral consequence” of the conviction mandates review. In United States v. Rubin, 559 F.2d 975 (5th Cir. 1977), vacated and remanded, 439 U.S. 810, 99 S.Ct. 67, 58 L.Ed.2d 102 (1978), this Court pretermitted review on two convictions by applying the concurrent sentence doctrine. The Solicitor General suggested to the Supreme Court that the concurrent sentence doctrine should not have been applied because of possible adverse effects of the unreviewed but affirmed convictions on defendant’s parole opportunities. The Supreme Court granted certiorari, vacated the judgment, and remanded the case to this Court “for further consideration in light of the position presently asserted by the Solicitor General . .” Rubin v. United States, 439 U.S. 810, 99 S.Ct. 67, 58 L.Ed.2d 102 (1978). The Supreme Court expressed no view on the merits of that position but the Fifth Circuit subsequently reviewed the two convictions, declining-to apply the doctrine because it found “a significant likelihood that *895the defendant will suffer adverse collateral consequences from the unreviewed conviction[s].” United States v. Rubin, 591 F.2d at 280.
Other cases in this Circuit have alluded to an adverse collateral consequence exception to the concurrent sentence doctrine. See, e. g., United States v. Vasquez-Vasquez, 609 F.2d 234, 235 (5th Cir. 1980); United States v. Evans, 572 F.2d at 476-77; United States v. Binetti, 547 F.2d 265, 269 (5th Cir.), modified on other grounds on rehearing, 552 F.2d 1141 (1977); Government of Canal Zone v. Fears, 528 F.2d 641, 644 (5th Cir. 1976); United States v. Strickland, 509 F.2d 273, 274 (5th Cir. 1975).
Other circuits likewise have not applied the doctrine when adverse collateral consequences may flow from convictions with concurrent sentences. See, e. g., United States v. Ramos Algarin, 584 F.2d 562, 568 (1st Cir. 1978); United States v. Daley, 564 F.2d 645, 647 n. 2 (2d Cir. 1977), cert. denied, 435 U.S. 933, 98 S.Ct. 1508, 55 L.Ed.2d 530 (1978); United States v. Maze, 468 F.2d 529, 536 n. 6 (6th Cir. 1972), aff’d, 414 U.S. 395, 94 S.Ct. 645, 38 L.Ed.2d 603 (1974); United States v. McLeod, 493 F.2d 1186, 1189 (7th Cir. 1974); United States v. Darnell, 545 F.2d at 598; United States v. Walls, 577 F.2d 690, 699 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 893, 99 S.Ct. 251, 58 L.Ed.2d 239 (1978).
The cases have not settled, however, important questions concerning the application of this exception: is the mere “possibility” of adverse collateral consequences, as suggested by defendants, enough, or is a stronger showing required, as argued by the Government?; who has the burden of showing the adverse collateral consequences, or the lack thereof? See Comment, The Collateral Consequences Exception to the Concurrent Sentence Doctrine, 44 Temp.L.Q. 385 (1971).
The District of Columbia Circuit has adopted the practice of vacating a concurrent sentence imposed on multiple convictions of similar or included offenses when it is convinced that no adverse collateral consequences will flow from the conviction. See, e. g., United States v. Caldwell, 178 U.S.App.D.C. 20, 53, 543 F.2d 1333, 1367 (D.C. Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 1087, 96 S.Ct. 877, 47 L.Ed.2d 97 (1976); United States v. Hooper, 139 U.S.App.D.C. 171, 432 F.2d 604 (D.C. Cir. 1970); Fuller v. United States, 132 U.S.App.D.C. 264, 286, 310 n. 52, 407 F.2d 1199, 1221, 1233 n. 52 (D.C. Cir. 1968) (en banc), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 1120, 89 S.Ct. 999, 22 L.Ed.2d 125 (1969). In United States v. Hooper, the court, in vacating what it regarded as a superfluous judgment, noted that vacation of the judgment “does not impair any need of the government, avoids the possibility of adverse collateral consequences to defendant, and furthers the general interest of the administration of justice . . . .” 139 U.S.App.D.C. at 173, 432 F.2d at 606. The court observed,
The vacation of the judgment does not destroy the jury verdict, but is rather equivalent in practical effect to a suspension of the imposition of sentence. If it later develops that the interest of justice so requires, the sentence can be reimposed on a concurrent basis. The conviction could then be subject to appellate review.
Id. 139 U.S.App.D.C. at 173 n. 8, 432 F.2d at 606 n. 8.

The Need for Decision

A review of the cases in this and other circuits reveals that all have often exercised their discretion to refuse to review concurrent sentences. “That this is the general rule cannot be doubted. That it should not be made a fetish is equally clear.” 2 C. Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure: Criminal § 527 at 422-23 (1969).
The widespread haphazard application of the doctrine has been well-documented. Comment, The Concurrent Sentence Doctrine After Benton v. Maryland, 7 U.C.L.A.-Alas.L.Rev. 282 (1978). In this and another law review article, a number of issues are thoughtfully presented and thoroughly discussed. Comment, The Federal Concurrent Sentence Doctrine, 70 Colum.L.Rev. 1099 (1970). It is now time to judicially resolve these issues.
*896More importantly, perhaps, this Court should decide which party has the burden of persuasion in the appellate court, an issue which this Court still has not consistently or authoritatively decided. In United States v. Evans, 572 F.2d at 477, the Court declined to apply the doctrine because the Government had “not affirmatively demonstrated that the likelihood of harm either in the form of collateral consequences or of prejudice in sentencing and at trial was so remote as to be insignificant on the facts.” The Court applied the doctrine in United States v. Strickland, 509 F.2d at 274, on the other hand, because the defendant had “not shown any reason why the [unreviewed] convictions . . . add anything material to the pains and penalties he will suffer from the [affirmed] conviction.” Accord, United States v. Smith, 550 F.2d 277, 285 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 831, 98 S.Ct. 138, 54 L.Ed.2d 105 (1977).
The matter should be resolved to bring uniformity to our decisions, an appropriate role for the en banc Court. F.R.A.P. 35(a).
Persons convicted of federal crimes are entitled to an appeal. That right is empty if no court decides the appeal. Under the concurrent sentence doctrine, which is founded solely on a concern for judicial economy, convictions resulting in concurrent sentences often go unreviewed, and yet affirmed, despite “the obvious fact of life that most criminal convictions do in fact entail adverse collateral legal consequences.” Sibron v. New York, 392 U.S. 40, 55, 88 S.Ct. 1889, 1899, 20 L.Ed.2d 917 (1968).
The doctrine is only justified by considerations of judicial efficiency. It seems to us appropriate for the Court to develop a checklist of factors to be addressed before the doctrine is applied, to set standards for the consideration of those factors, and to allocate the burden of persuasion between the parties. Then in those cases in which it would seem appropriate to apply the doctrine, the Court should give careful consideration to the practice of the District of Columbia Circuit, which vacates concurrent sentences the court chooses not to review, subject to reinstatement if the original sentence is overturned. See United States v. Hooper, 139 U.S.App.D.C. 171, 432 F.2d 604. For a discussion of the Hooper rule, see Comment, The Concurrent Sentence Doctrine After Benton v. Maryland, 7 U.C.L. A.-Alas.L.Rev. at 295.
Judge Hill would abolish the doctrine insofar as it results in the affirmance of any conviction without review, but would not oppose adoption of the District of Columbia Circuit rule which vacates such concurrent sentences without review. Although we may disagree about what the rule should be, we do agree that, absent guidance from the Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit should establish definitive guidelines for future application of the concurrent sentence doctrine. We respectfully dissent from its failure to do so in this case.