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Korematsu v. United States

U.S.
Jun 1, 1943
319 U.S. 432 (1943)

Summary

holding that direct appeal can be taken following imposition of probation without a formal sentence because probation subjects a defendant to judicial control

Summary of this case from U.S. v. Ewing

Opinion

CERTIFICATE FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT.

No. 912.

Argued May 11, 1943. Decided June 1, 1943.

An order of the District Court placing a convicted defendant on probation without imposing sentence of imprisonment or fine is a final decision reviewable by the Circuit Court of Appeals under Jud. Code § 239. Pp. 433, 436.

RESPONSE to a question certified by the Circuit Court of Appeals in a criminal case.

Mr. A.L. Wirin argued the cause, and Mr. Jackson H. Ralston was on the brief, for Korematsu.

Mr. John L. Burling, with whom Solicitor General Fahy and Messrs. Edward J. Ennis and W. Marvin Smith were on the brief, for the United States.


Korematsu was found guilty by the District Court for the Northern District of California of remaining in the City of San Leandro, California, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 97 (A) and the orders issued thereunder. The District Court's order was that he "be placed on probation for the period of five (5) years, the terms and conditions of the probation to be stated to said defendant by the Probation Officer of this Court. Further ordered that the bond heretofore given for the appearance of the defendant be exonerated. Ordered pronouncing of judgment be suspended."

The relevant orders are Executive Order 9066, Feb. 19, 1942, 7 Fed. Reg. 1407, and General DeWitt's Public Proclamation No. 1, March 2, 1942, and Civilian Exclusion Order No. 34, May 3, 1942, issued under authority of the Executive Order.

The defendant appealed to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which under 28 U.S.C. § 225 has "jurisdiction to review by appeal final decisions." The Circuit Court of Appeals, doubting whether it had jurisdiction to hear an appeal from an order placing the defendant on probation without first formally sentencing him, has certified to us the following question under § 239 of the Judicial Code:

"After a finding of guilt in such a criminal proceeding as the instant case, in which neither imprisonment in a jail or penitentiary nor a fine is imposed, is an order by the district court, that the convicted man `be placed on probation for the period of five (5) years' a final decision reviewable on appeal by this circuit court of appeals?"

The federal probation law authorizes a district judge "after conviction or after a plea of guilty or nolo contendere . . . to suspend the imposition or execution of sentence and to place the defendant upon probation for such period and upon such terms" as seem wise. 18 U.S.C. § 724. In Berman v. United States, 302 U.S. 211, we held that when a court had imposed a sentence and then suspended its execution, the judgment was final and would support an appeal. The question here is whether the judgment is equally final when the imposition of sentence itself is suspended and the defendant subjected to probation. The government concedes that this question should be answered in the affirmative.

For the background of the probation legislation, see Ex parte United States, 242 U.S. 27; United States v. Murray, 275 U.S. 347. Cases on the instant problem are collected at 126 A.L.R. 1207.

It has often been said that there can be no "final judgment" in a criminal case prior to actual sentence, Miller v. Aderhold, 288 U.S. 206, 210; Hill v. Wampler, 298 U.S. 460, 464, and this proposition was restated in Berman v. United States, 302 U.S. 211, 212. In applying this general principle to a situation like that of the instant case, the Second and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals have concluded that they lacked jurisdiction to hear an appeal from an order placing a defendant on probation without first imposing sentence. United States v. Lecato, 29 F.2d 694, 695; Birnbaum v. United States, 107 F.2d 885. The Fifth Circuit appears to take the opposite view. Nix v. United States, 131 F.2d 857.

"Final judgment in a criminal case means sentence. The sentence is the judgment."

The "sentence is judgment" phrase has been used by this Court in dealing with cases in which the action of the trial court did not in fact subject the defendant to any form of judicial control. Thus in Miller v. Aderhold, supra, imposition of sentence was suspended and the defendant was put under no obligation at all. Hence the Court held that there was no jurisdiction to hear the appeal. But certainly when discipline has been imposed, the defendant is entitled to review.

In the Berman case, supra, we held that the appeal was proper where the sentence was imposed and suspended, and the defendant was placed on probation. The probationary surveillance is the same whether or not sentence is imposed. In either case, the probation order follows a finding of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. Thereafter, the defendant must abide by the order follows a finding of guilt or a plea of nolo conditions imposed upon him, or subject himself to a possible revocation or modification of his probation; and under some circumstances he may, during the probationary period, be required to pay a fine, or make reparation to aggrieved parties, or provide for the support of persons for whom he is legally responsible. 18 U.S.C. § 724. He is under the "supervision" of the probation officer whose duty it is to make reports to the court concerning his activities, 18 U.S.C. § 727, and at "any time within the probation period the probation officer may arrest the probationer wherever found, without a warrant, or the court which has granted the probation may issue a warrant for his arrest." 18 U.S.C. § 725. These and other incidents of probation emphasize that a probation order is "an authorized mode of mild and ambulatory punishment, the probation being intended as a reforming discipline." Cooper v. United States, 91 F.2d 195, 199.

The difference to the probationer between imposition of sentence followed by probation, as in the Berman case, and suspension of the imposition of sentence, as in the instant case, is one of trifling degree. Probation, like parole, "is intended to be a means of restoring offenders who are good social risks to society; to afford the unfortunate another opportunity by clemency," Zerbst v. Kidwell, 304 U.S. 359, 363, and this end is served in the same fashion whether or not probation is preceded by imposition of sentence. In either case, the liberty of an individual judicially determined to have committed an offense is abridged in the public interest. "In criminal cases, as well as civil, the judgment is final for the purpose of appeal `when it terminates the litigation . . . on the merits' and `leaves nothing to be done but to enforce by execution what has been determined.'" Berman v. United States, supra, 212, 213. Here litigation "on the merits" of the charge against the defendant has not only ended in a determination of guilt, but it has been followed by the institution of the disciplinary measures which the court has determined to be necessary for the protection of the public.

These considerations lead us to conclude that the order is final and appealable. Our answer to the question is Yes.


Summaries of

Korematsu v. United States

U.S.
Jun 1, 1943
319 U.S. 432 (1943)

holding that direct appeal can be taken following imposition of probation without a formal sentence because probation subjects a defendant to judicial control

Summary of this case from U.S. v. Ewing

holding that an order placing an offender on probation without formally sentencing him was final and appealable, because "certainly when discipline has been imposed, the defendant is entitled to review"

Summary of this case from State v. Craig

holding an order suspending the imposition of sentence to be a final, appealable order

Summary of this case from Weaver v. State

In Korematsu, the defendant was placed on probation and the imposition of his sentence was suspended entirely, yet this was sufficient to entitle the defendant to the right to review.

Summary of this case from United States v. Muzio

explaining in a case where the defendant was only sentenced to probation that “certainly when discipline has been imposed, the defendant is entitled to review”

Summary of this case from United States v. Muzio

In Korematsu, the question was whether an order placing a defendant on probation with pronouncement of sentence suspended was a final order for purposes of appeal. The Supreme Court had previously held that when a court imposes sentence and then suspends its execution, the judgment is final and appealable.

Summary of this case from United States v. Rice

In Korematsu there was both a determination of guilt and imposition of disciplinary measures; no further court order was anticipated.

Summary of this case from United States v. Bradley

In Korematsu v. United States, 319 U.S. 432, 63 S.Ct. 1124, 87 L.Ed. 1497 (1943), the Supreme Court, addressing the question of whether or not a suspension of the imposition of sentence with an order of probation was a final judgment from which a defendant could appeal, answered in the affirmative.

Summary of this case from Clayton v. United States

In Korematsu a federal district court placed the defendant on probation for five years, the order further providing "pronouncing of judgment be suspended."

Summary of this case from State v. Anderson

In Korematsu v. United States, 319 U.S. 432, 63 S.Ct. 1124, 87 L.Ed. 1497, (1943) the Supreme Court considered whether an order suspending the imposition of sentence was a final, appealable order within the purview of a statute, 28 U.S.C. § 225, granting to a Circuit Court of Appeals "jurisdiction to review by appeal final decisions" of the District Court.

Summary of this case from Rash v. State

In Korematsu v United States, 319 U.S. 432; 63 S Ct 1124; 87 L Ed 1497 (1943), the question was whether a judgment was final when the imposition of sentence itself was suspended and the defendant placed on probation.

Summary of this case from People v. Pickett

In Korematsu v. United States, 319 U.S. 432, 63 S Ct 1124, 87 L ed 1497, however, the court went further in sustaining the right of appeal.

Summary of this case from State v. Cartwright

In Korematsu v. United States, 319 U.S. 432, 63 S.Ct. 1124, 1126, 87 L.Ed. 1497, appellate protection was broadened still further.

Summary of this case from Thomas v. United States

In Toyosaburo Korematsu v. United States (1943), 319 U.S. 432 (63 S Ct 1124, 87 L Ed 1497) the Supreme Court considered the question.

Summary of this case from Calhoun v. Macomb Circuit Judge
Case details for

Korematsu v. United States

Case Details

Full title:KOREMATSU v . UNITED STATES

Court:U.S.

Date published: Jun 1, 1943

Citations

319 U.S. 432 (1943)
63 S. Ct. 1124

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