Court Opinion

ID: 9460666
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:57:17.380882+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:43.857201
License: Public Domain

JAMES M. CARTER, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
I incorporate my dissent from the prior decision in this case, Simons v. United States (9 Cir. 1973) 480 F.2d 805.
I add the following. The majority details Simons’ interest and activities in rehabilitating ex-convicts. This has nothing to do with the legal problem involved.
The basis for the majority holding is footnote 3 — viz., that “it is not inconsistent to hold both that the district courts are without jurisdiction to remit or mitigate forfeitures . . . and that district courts have jurisdiction to award relief from unlawful forfeitures.” (Emphasis added)
The word “remit” is defined as “to absolve; to release from punishment or penalty; to annul a fine or forfeiture; to release; to relinquish; to remove; to discharge from.” 76 C.J.S. p. 905. Thus the word is broad enough to “grant relief from unlawful forfeitures,” the phrase used by the majority.
Since our ninth circuit cases cited in my prior dissent hold that a district court has no jurisdiction to remit a penalty (grant relief from a forfeiture), the decision flies in the face of our decisions and an in banc should be required to overrule them.
The majority decision will do nothing but cause trouble. Granting jurisdiction to the district courts to remit or set aside forfeitures on the suit of private persons will: (1) by-pass the exclusive authority granted by the Congress to the Secretary of the Treasury, now Attorney General, to decide whether or not to remit a. forfeiture, and (2) increase the number of filings in the now overcrowded district courts.
The judgment below should be affirmed.