CAMPBELL v. UNITED STATES DIST. CT. FOR N. DIST. OF CAL

Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc Denied September 26, 1974.

OPINION

On Petition for a Writ of Mandamus

JAMES M. CARTER, Circuit Judge:

This case presents a problem of great importance in the administration of justice in the area of criminal law. The question presented by way of a petition for mandamus is whether an order of reference in a criminal case to a magistrate to hold an evidentiary hearing on a motion to suppress, and to make findings of fact and recommend conclusions of law, is valid.

Petitioner raises two questions:

(1) Is the statute, 28 U.S.C. § 636,1 under which the reference was made, constitutional as applied?

(2) Is the order of reference within the scope of the statute?

At the argument petitioner contended that the district court abused its discretion in making the order of reference. The contention was not presented by the petition for the writ, nor briefed on this appeal. It has no merit.

We deny the petition for a writ of mandamus.

I

Procedural Background

A criminal case, United States v. Bruce A. Campbell, was pending before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Campbell, the petitioner herein, filed a motion to suppress evidence. Pursuant to Local Rules 503 and 5052 of the Northern District of California, the district court, on October 12, 1973, referred the motion to suppress to the United States Magistrate for recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law.

At the time the court proposed to refer the motion to the magistrate, both the petitioner and the government opposed the suggestion. The petitioner listed his objections as follows:

(1) Difficulty in getting a proper transcript from the magistrate because the procedure in effect provides for the use of a tape recording device rather than a court reporter;

(2) The statute, 28 U.S.C. § 636, does not authorize a magistrate to exercise the power to hear motions to suppress and Congress did not intend for a magistrate to sit in an Article III proceeding.

(3) The outcome of the motion to suppress will dispose of the case.

The government then joined in these objections.

The district judge stated as his "philosophy" in reviewing the proceedings of the magistrate that he accepted his rulings on facts because the magistrate "is a judicial officer" and a defendant is "entitled to one hearing on the question of fact on the motion to suppress."

The judge further stated that he did not hear appeals from decisions of magistrates on questions of law and mixed questions of law and fact, and that he had previously granted a motion to suppress when the magistrate recommended that the motion be denied.

Local Rule 503 tracked the language of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) limiting the scope of a magistrate's duties in criminal matters to those which were "not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States."

Local Rule 505(4) provides for a "review of a magistrate's decision by the Judge" upon a notification in writing to the magistrate and the adverse party, with a statement of objections to be made promptly but in no event later than five days from notice of the magistrate's action or decision. It further provides that "If review is requested, the Clerk shall promptly set and reasonably notice the time for review by the referring Judge; otherwise the court shall proceed to consider and take such action as it deems proper upon the report and any proposed order of the magistrate." (Emphasis supplied.)

Following the order of referral, and before any proceedings were held, the petitioner Campbell, on October 12, 1973, filed a petition in this court for a writ of mandamus, directing the trial judge to withdraw his previously entered order of reference and directing the judge to take evidence on the hearing of the motion to suppress, and for a stay pending the court's decision. A panel of this court granted a stay and expedited the proceeding.

II

Constitutionality of the Statute as Applied

Petitioner makes no frontal attack on the constitutionality of the statute on its face. In substance, petitioner is contending that the statute as applied is unconstitutional.

Petitioner's first contention is based in part on Sec. I, Article III, of the Constitution of the United States. He contends that only an Article III judge can hear a motion to suppress. The section reads:

Palmore v. United States, 411 U.S. 389, 93 S.Ct. 1670, 36 L.Ed.2d 342 (1973), by analogy, decides this question. In that case, Palmore was tried and convicted by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia of a felony under the District's Criminal Code. He contended he was entitled to be tried by an Article III judge with lifetime tenure and salary protection. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals affirmed and the Supreme Court, in turn, affirmed the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

The defendant's contention in Palmore was summed up by the Court as follows: ". . . an Article III judge must preside over every proceeding in which a charge, claim, or defense is based on an Act of Congress or a law made under its authority. At the very least, it asserts that criminal offenses under the laws passed by Congress may not be prosecuted except in courts established pursuant to Article III." The Court held, "In our view, however, there is no support for this view in either constitutional text or in constitutional history and practice." [p. 400, 93 S.Ct. p. 1678]. And, "It was neither the legislative nor judicial view, therefore, that trial and decision of all federal questions were reserved for Art. III judges. Nor, more particularly has the enforcement of federal criminal law been deemed the exclusive province of federal Art. III courts." [p. 402, 93 S.Ct. p. 1678]. Amount of salary, lack of tenure and provisions for removal by a commission were found not to dictate a different decision. [pp. 407-410, 93 S.Ct. 1670.]

The magistrate serves for a term without tenure, at a salary below that of a district judge, and can be removed by the appointing judges. We see in these facts no reason to view his service as a violation of Article III of the Constitution.

III

Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) a United States Magistrate May Hold an Evidentiary Hearing on a Motion to Suppress

Section 636(b) provides that there may be assigned to magistrates, in addition to the duties listed in Section 636(a), "such additional duties as are not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States."

The additional duties authorized are not limited solely to those listed in § 636(b) (1), (2) and (3), nor by ejusdem generis, but may include any duties not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States.3

The doctrine of ejusdem generis was one of the grounds listed in Wedding v. Wingo (6 Cir. 1973) 483 F.2d 1131 affirmed sub nom. Wingo v. Wedding, 414 U.S. 1157, 94 S.Ct. 914, 39 L.Ed.2d 109, 1974, for barring a magistrate from conducting an evidentiary hearing in a habeas proceeding and making recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Eighth Circuit in Noorlander v. Ciccone (1973) 489 F.2d 642, a habeas case, declined to subscribe to Wedding's ejusdem generis reasoning (p. 647) and we likewise refuse to follow it in our case involving a motion to suppress evidence. The Supreme Court in Wingo v. Wedding, supra, did not discuss ejusdem generis in its affirmance. (See discussion, infra.)

The Sixth Circuit, in Wedding v. Wingo, supra, 483 F.2d p. 1135, stated: "This doctrine directs that a general provision of a statute will be controlled and limited by subsequent statutory language more specific in scope." Fourco Glass Co. v. Transmirra Prods. Corp., 353 U.S. 222, 228-229, 77 S.Ct. 787, 1 L.Ed.2d 786 (1957), was cited as authority for this proposition.

We cannot agree with the court's application of the ejusdem generis doctrine to Section 636(b). In Fourco the Supreme Court held that a special venue statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b), controlled over a general venue statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c). The Fourco case does not support the Sixth Circuit's conclusion regarding Section 636(b).

Congress, in § 636(b), used language which clearly stated its intentions that there may be assigned to a magistrate "such additional duties as are not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States. The additional duties authorized by rule may include, but are not restricted to . . . ." With such an express statement in the statute, it cannot be argued that the statute did not mean what it said. No conflict between a general and a specific proposition of law is involved as in the typical ejusdem generis situation.

The Supreme Court, in Wingo v. Wedding, supra, struck a blow against the use of magistrates, but we think that the case is limited to the use of magistrates in connection with habeas petitions and does not control our case. In substance, the Court held that 28 U.S.C. § 2243, like its predecessor, Rev.Stat. § 761, requires that the district court personally conduct evidentiary hearings in federal habeas corpus cases; that Congress, in enacting 28 U.S.C. § 636, did not intend to alter the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 2243; and that the local rule authorizing magistrates to hold habeas corpus evidentiary hearings was invalid because it was inconsistent with the laws of the United States and because 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) limits a magistrate's review in habeas matters to proposing, not holding a hearing. The Court also held that the review procedure relating to electronic recording did not enable the district court to evaluate, by observation, the credibility of the witness.

The question in our case is whether there is any similar requirement that the district court, at the first instance, hear the evidence on a motion to suppress.

Rule 41(e), Fed.R.Crim.P., as it read in 1948, stated:

By an amendment of April 24, 1972, effective October 1, 1972, subsection (e) was amended so as to pertain only to motions for the return of property and subsection (f) was amended to cover motions to suppress evidence. Subsections (e) and (f) now read:

The Notes of the Advisory Committee on Rules are not helpful.4

Rule 41(f) as amended in 1972 requires us to consider Fed.R.Crim.P. 12. It has not been amended since its adoption.

It is clear that the motion to suppress comes within subsection (b) (1) of Rule 12, as a defense that may be raised.

The last sentence of subsection (b) (4) of Rule 12, reading: "All other issues of fact shall be determined by the court with or without a jury or on affidavits, or in such other manner as the court may direct," has resulted in little case law.

As to affidavits, we find only two cases: United States v. Mungiole (E.D.Pa. 1954) 125 F.Supp. 32, states that the trial of mixed questions of law and facts on affidavits is not desirable. In re Alperen (D.Mass.1973) 355 F.Supp. 372, affirmed, sub nom. United States v. Doe (1 Cir.1973) 478 F.2d 194, approves the use of affidavits on the issue of whether the Attorney General properly authorized a wire tap.

We find no law on the meaning of the phrase "or in such other manner as the court may direct."

The Notes of the Advisory Committee on Rules are not helpful.5

It is clear why the Rules, by the 1972 amendment, provided separately for motions to return property (Rule 41(e)) and motions to suppress evidence (Rule 41(f)). It is not clear why under Rule 41(e), "The Judge shall receive evidence on any issue of fact . . .", except that the phrase was in subsection before the amendment. But the 1972 amendment to Rule 41(f) did not contain that language and placed the motion to suppress under Fed.R.Crim.P. 12, with its broad language in subsection (b) (4).

On the same date as the amendment of Fed.R.Crim.P. 41 (April 24, 1972), Fed.R.Crim.P. 5.1 was added.

Rule 5.1 concerns preliminary examination by a magistrate and does not concern motions to suppress as shown in subsection (a).

The Notes of the Advisory Committee on Rules is devoted largely to a discussion of the receipt of hearsay evidence by the magistrate. The Notes also state:

The Giordenello case in 1958 referred to Fed.R.Crim.P. 41(e) before its amendment in 1972 removing motions to suppress from subsection (e) and placing them in (f), as set forth above. We do not think Rule 5.1 has any impact on our problem.

Since Fed.R.Crim.P. 12 now describes proceedings on motions to suppress evidence, it is the controlling rule. Unlike 28 U.S.C. § 2243, Rule 12 does not require the district court to conduct the hearing. We know of no statute which does so require. Instead, Rule 12 states that an issue of fact shall be determined in such manner as the court shall direct.

Accordingly, our case does not come within the bar of Wingo v. Wedding, supra. In addition, the procedure we propose, infra, for the district court's consideration of magistrate's proposed findings meets the problem of the credibility of witnesses based on observations discussed in Wingo v. Wedding, supra.

The use of magistrates has been upheld in the following situations not listed in § 636(b)(1), (2) or (3).

(a) Recommendation to the district court as to whether a motion to dismiss should be granted: Givens v. W. T. Grant Co. (2 Cir. 1972) 457 F.2d 612.

(b) Recommendation to the district court as to whether a motion for summary judgment should be granted: Remington Arms Co. v. United States (2 Cir. 1972) 261 F.2d 1268.

(c) Recommendation to the district court as to whether claimant was denied due process in her disability hearing and whether there was substantial evidence to justify the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in his denial of her claim. Dewrell v. Weinberger (5 Cir. 1973) 478 F.2d 699.

We therefore hold that a magistrate may preside at a pretrial motion to suppress evidence.6 It follows that the magistrate may make proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and present them to the district court along with a proposed order.

A magistrate may not, in a hearing on a motion to suppress, exercise ultimate decision-making power. La Buy v. Howes Leather Co., 352 U.S. 249, 77 S.Ct. 309, 1 L.Ed.2d 290 (1957), holds that in the particular facts of that case, a district court abdicated its judicial function. [pp. 255-256, 77 S.Ct. 309]. However, La Buy is not here controlling.

There the district judge referred to a master two anti-trust cases (one with a prospective period of six weeks for trial), with instructions to prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law. The judge had made rulings and written memoranda and opinions on the cases over a period of years. The master was a private practitioner, not a judicial officer. The case stands for the proposition that the trial of an entire, complicated case may not be referred to a master. The case is not helpful on the question of a reference to a magistrate for an evidentiary hearing and recommended findings and conclusions on a motion to suppress evidence.

In TPO, Inc. v. McMillen (7 Cir. 1972) 460 F.2d 348, the district court referred a motion to dismiss, treated as a motion for a summary judgment, to a magistrate for decision. A motion to vacate the reference, on the ground a magistrate was without power to rule on a motion to dismiss, was denied. The court of appeals granted a writ of mandamus, directing the district court to vacate the reference and the magistrate's resultant order.

The court, quoting from the statute and legislative history, held:

Thus, while a magistrate may recommend to the district court whether to grant a motion to dismiss, Givens, supra, or a motion for summary judgment, Remington, supra, he may not himself decide the motion. TPO, Inc., supra. Although a magistrate may recommend to the district court whether there is substantial evidence to support a denial by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare of a disability claim, Dewrell, supra, he may not make a decision on this question. Ingram v. Richardson (6 Cir. 1972) 471 F.2d 1268, and TPO, Inc., supra. See Dye v. Cowan (6 Cir. 1972) 472 F.2d 1206, where the court in dictum states that the granting of a certificate of probable cause by a magistrate is ultra vires and void.

Although we hold that a magistrate is authorized to preside at an evidentiary hearing on a motion to suppress evidence and is authorized to make proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and a proposed order after a hearing on a motion to suppress, we hold that the district court must make the final adjudication on the motion. TPO, Inc. v. McMillen, supra; United States ex rel. Henderson v. Brierley, supra; Noorlander v. Ciccone, supra; Asparro v. United States (D.C.Conn.1973) 352 F.Supp. 1085.7

In carrying out its duties the district court will conform to the following procedure:

Applying the above procedure to the case at bar, the district court was in error in stating it must accept the findings of the magistrate. The district court has the duty to make the final decision on the facts.

IV

The Local Rules

We acknowledge that the Northern District was one of the first districts in the United States to implement the Magistrates Act and took a broader view than many of the other districts in the country.

We prefer not to discuss the local rules in detail. The evidentiary hearing has not been held, nor has the district court reviewed the magistrate's recommendations. The matter has not been briefed. We make one comment.

Local 503 provides magistrates shall "have the additional power and duty . . . subject to the review hereinafter provided in Rule 505, to perform any and all powers of a Judge of this Court in criminal matters which are not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, including but not limited to the following: . . . (2) To hear motions regarding . . . suppression of evidence under F.R.Crim. P. [Rule 41] or of statements obtained through illegal interrogation (Local Rule 205(b)); . . ." (Emphasis added).

The phrase "to perform any and all powers of a Judge of this Court," even coupled with the statutory limitations ("not inconsistent," etc.) raises questions of uncertainty and ambiguity. In certain situations the magistrate can exercise power of the judge, without any further action by the judge. (E. g., appointing counsel for indigents; approving substitution of counsel; fixing bail; etc.) In other situations the magistrate can make recommendations but the adjudication power rests only with the judge. (E. g., decision on a motion to suppress; for change of venue; for severance of trial of codefendants; etc.) The magistrate may prepare a memorandum and a recommended order, but the judge must adjudicate the motion.

Accordingly, Local Rules 503 and 504 (7) should be reexamined by the district court, and the district court should make clear the two categories and the matters properly included in each. Except in those instances in which the magistrate can act independently and make the final decision, the rules should provide that the magistrate shall make specific proposed findings of fact, conclusions or recommendations. The district court shall make the final determination.

The petition for a writ of mandamus is denied.9