Albernaz v. United States

450 U.S. 333 (1981)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Ds were involved in an agreement, the objectives of which were to import marihuana and then to distribute it domestically. Ds were charged and convicted under two separate statutory provisions and received consecutive sentences. The length of each of their combined sentences exceeded the maximum 5-year sentence which could have been imposed either for a conviction of conspiracy to import or for a conviction of conspiracy to distribute. Ds appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari. Ds contend it is not clear whether Congress intended to authorize multiple punishments for violation of the two statutes in question in a case involving only a single agreement or conspiracy, even though that isolated agreement had dual objectives. Ds went to invoke the rule of lenity and hold that the statutory ambiguity on this issue prevents the imposition of multiple punishments. Ds further contend that even if cumulative punishment was authorized by Congress, such punishment is barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment.