custis argued february decided may jury convicted petitioner custis possession firearm felon another federal crime government relied prior state convictions robbery pennsylvania burglary attempted burglary maryland support motion armed career criminal act acca provides enhancement sentence convicted firearms possessor three previous convictions violent felony serious drug offense custis challenged use purpose two maryland convictions ground among others ineffective assistance counsel state prosecutions district held provides statutory right challenge convictions constitution bars use prior conviction enhancement complete denial counsel prior proceeding custis sentenced enhanced term months prison appeals affirmed held sole exception convictions obtained violation right counsel defendant federal sentencing proceeding right collaterally attack validity previous state convictions used enhance sentence acca pp congress intend permit collateral attacks prior convictions statute language applies defendant three previous convictions type specified focuses fact conviction nothing therein suggests prior final conviction may subject attack potential constitutional errors may counted page ii implied right collateral attack strongly supported provides may count conviction set aside jurisdiction proceedings held thereby creates clear negative implication courts may count conviction set aside contrast related statutes expressly permit repeat offenders challenge prior convictions used enhancement purposes see lewis held one predecessors current felon possession firearm statute allow collateral attack predicate conviction pp right recognized burgett texas tucker collaterally attack prior convictions used sentence enhancement purposes extended beyond right established gideon wainwright appointed counsel since johnson zerbst running burgett tucker theme failure appoint counsel indigent defendant unique constitutional defect none constitutional violations alleged custis including claimed denial effective assistance counsel rises level jurisdictional defect resulting failure appoint counsel conclusion supported interest promoting finality judgments avoiding delay protraction federal sentencing process relative ease administering claim failure appoint counsel opposed constitutional challenges pp however custis still custody purposes state convictions time federal sentencing may attack state sentences maryland federal habeas corpus review see maleng cook successful attacking state sentences may apply reopening federal sentence enhanced state sentences expresses opinion appropriate disposition application rehnquist delivered opinion scalia kennedy thomas ginsburg joined souter filed dissenting opinion blackmun stevens joined custis chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion armed career criminal act acca raises penalty possession firearm felon maximum years prison mandatory minimum sentence years maximum life prison without parole defendant three previous convictions violent felony serious drug offense granted certiorari determine whether defendant federal sentencing proceeding may collaterally attack validity previous state convictions used enhance sentence acca hold defendant right sole exception convictions obtained violation right counsel collaterally attack prior convictions baltimore city police arrested petitioner daniel custis july federal grand jury indicted three counts possession cocaine intent distribute violation use firearm connection drug trafficking offense violation possession firearm convicted felon violation trial custis district district maryland government notified custis seek enhanced penalty offense notice charged three prior felony convictions pennsylvania state conviction robbery maryland state conviction burglary maryland state conviction attempted burglary jury found custis guilty possession intent distribute guilty use firearm drug offense convicted possession firearm simple cocaine possession lesser included offense charge possession intent distribute cocaine sentencing hearing government moved custis sentence enhanced based prior convictions included notice sentence enhancement custis challenged use two maryland convictions sentence enhancement argued lawyer burglary conviction rendered unconstitutionally ineffective assistance guilty plea knowing intelligent required boykin alabama claimed attorney failed advise defense voluntary intoxication gone trial rather pleaded guilty aware defense challenged conviction ground based upon stipulated facts trial claimed stipulated facts trial tantamount guilty plea conviction fundamentally unfair adequately advised rights custis asserts denied effective assistance counsel case stipulated facts established attempted breaking entering rather attempted burglary state law custis district initially rejected custis collateral attacks two maryland state convictions district letter ruling determined performance custis attorney case fall standard professional competence required strickland washington order found counsel recommendation guilty plea unreasonable circumstances district also rejected custis claim stipulated facts trial functional equivalent guilty plea district later reversed field determined entertain custis challenges prior convictions noted nlike statutory scheme enhancement sentences drug cases provides statutory right challenge prior convictions relied upon government enhancement md district went state constitution bars use prior conviction sentence enhancement complete denial counsel prior proceeding citing gideon wainwright tucker burgett texas based custis offense level criminal history category vi district imposed sentence months prison appeals affirmed recognized right defendant completely deprived counsel assert collateral attack prior convictions since defendant lost ability assert constitutional rights citing johnson zerbst citing substantial burden prosecutors district courts appeals dismissed custis challenges prior convictions custis type pose risk unduly delaying protracting entire sentencing process prospect inquiries led express great reluctance forcing district courts overcome inadequacy unavailability state records witnesses trying determine validity prior sentences quoting jones addition practical hurdles appeals specified concerns comity federalism factors weighing permitting collateral attacks federal courts forums relitigate state trials quoting barefoot estelle granted certiorari appeals decision conflicted recent decisions courts appeals permitted defendants challenge prior convictions used sentencing custis argues acca read permit defendants challenge constitutionality convictions used sentencing purposes looking language statute believe authorizes collateral attacks acca provides enhanced sentence person unlawfully possesses firearm violation custis three previous convictions referred section title violent felony serious drug offense section applies whenever defendant found suffered three previous convictions type specified statute focuses fact conviction nothing suggests prior final conviction may subject collateral attack potential constitutional errors may counted absent specific statutory authorization custis contends implied right challenge constitutionality prior convictions exists disagree gun control act part strongly indicates unchallenged prior convictions may used purposes least prior violent felonies describes circumstances prior conviction may counted sentencing purposes constitutes conviction crime shall determined accordance law jurisdiction proceedings held conviction expunged set aside person pardoned civil rights restored shall considered conviction purposes chapter custis congress passage related statutes expressly permit repeat offenders challenge prior convictions used enhancement purposes supports negative implication example congress enacted part comprehensive drug abuse prevention control act sets forth specific procedures allowing defendant challenge validity prior conviction used enhance sentence federal drug offense section person denies allegation information prior conviction claims conviction alleged invalid shall file written response information section goes provide person claiming conviction alleged information obtained violation constitution shall set forth claim factual basis therefor particularity response information person shall burden proof preponderance evidence issue fact raised response challenge prior conviction raised response information increased sentence imposed reliance thereon shall waived unless good cause shown failure make timely challenge custis decision lewis also supports conclusion prior convictions used sentence enhancement purposes subject collateral attack sentence proceeding lewis interpreted app ed one predecessors current felon possession firearm statute section aimed person convicted state felony concluded othing face statute suggests congressional intent limit coverage persons whose convictions subject collateral attack quoting culbert lack intent also contrasted federal statutes explicitly permitted defendant challenge validity constitutionality predicate felony see note following ch dangerous special offender recidivism comprehensive drug abuse prevention control act absence expressed intent contrast federal statutes led us determine firearms prosecution open predicate conviction new form collateral attack similarly lacks indication congress intended permit collateral attacks prior convictions used sentence enhancement purposes contrast statutes expressly provide avenues collateral attacks well decision lewis supra point strongly conclusion custis congress intend permit collateral attacks prior convictions custis argues regardless whether permits collateral challenges prior convictions constitution requires allowed relies upon decisions burgett texas tucker support argument decisions relied upon earlier decision gideon wainwright holding sixth amendment constitution required indigent defendant state proceedings counsel appointed gideon turn overruled earlier decision betts brady held sixth amendment right counsel long applied federal proceedings made applicable due process clause due process clause betts held required appointment counsel indigent defendant state courts upon showing special circumstances even betts brady decided held failure appoint counsel indigent defendant federal proceeding violated sixth amendment subject collateral attack federal habeas corpus johnson zerbst time underlying habeas statute construed allow collateral attacks final judgments conviction rendering lacked jurisdiction albeit somewhat expansive notion jurisdiction see moore dempsey attributed jurisdictional significance failure appoint counsel said accused however represented counsel competently intelligently waived constitutional right sixth amendment custis stands jurisdictional bar valid conviction sentence depriving life liberty judgment conviction pronounced without jurisdiction void one imprisoned thereunder may obtain release habeas corpus following decision gideon decided burgett texas supra defendant charged texas recidivist statute subject four previous felony convictions prosecutor introduced certified records one defendant earlier convictions tennessee defendant objected admission conviction ground represented counsel waived right counsel objection overruled trial reversed finding certified records tennessee conviction face raised presumption petitioner denied right counsel therefore conviction void held admission prior criminal conviction custis constitutionally infirm standards gideon inherently prejudicial permit use tainted prior conviction sentence enhancement undermine principle gideon similar situation arose tucker supra defendant convicted bank robbery california sentencing district conducted inquiry defendant background record shows gave explicit attention three previous felony convictions defendant acknowledged trial district sentenced years prison stiffest term authorized applicable federal statute several years later obtained judicial determination two prior convictions constitutionally invalid defendant filed writ habeas corpus district convicted bank robbery challenged use bank robbery trial three previous felony convictions sustained challenge insofar sentence concerned saying gideon established unequivocal rule making unconstitutional try person felony state unless lawyer validly waived one quoting burgett texas supra held rosion gideon principle prevented affirming judgment appeals remanding case trial reconsideration defendant sentence custis invites us extend right attack collaterally prior convictions used sentence enhancement beyond right appointed counsel established gideon decline think since decision johnson zerbst half century ago running decisions burgett tucker theme failure custis appoint counsel indigent defendant unique constitutional defect custis attacks previous convictions claiming denial effective assistance counsel guilty plea knowing intelligent adequately advised rights opting stipulated facts trial none alleged constitutional violations rises level jurisdictional defect resulting failure appoint counsel johnson zerbst ease administration also supports distinction revealed number cases cited opinion failure appoint counsel generally appear judgment roll accompanying minute order determination claims ineffective assistance counsel failure assure guilty plea voluntary require sentencing courts rummage frequently nonexistent difficult obtain state transcripts records may date another era may come one interest promoting finality judgments provides additional support constitutional conclusion explained nroads concept finality tend undermine confidence integrity procedures inevitably delay impair orderly administration justice addonizio later noted parke raley principles finality associated habeas corpus actions apply least equal force defendant seeks attack previous convictions used sentencing challenging previous conviction defendant asking district deprive state judgment normal force effect proceeding ha independent purpose overturn prior judgmen slip custis principles bear extra weight cases prior convictions one challenged custis based guilty pleas guilty plea issue concern finality served limitation collateral attack special force timmreck omitted therefore hold permit custis use federal sentencing forum gain review state convictions congress prescribe constitution require delay protraction federal sentencing process recognize however appeals see custis still custody purposes state convictions time federal sentencing may attack state sentences maryland federal habeas review see maleng cook custis successful attacking state sentences may apply reopening federal sentence enhanced state sentences express opinion appropriate disposition application judgment appeals accordingly affirmed footnotes title provides pertinent part follows shall unlawful person convicted crime punishable imprisonment term exceeding one year custis ship transport interstate foreign commerce possess affecting commerce firearm ammunition receive firearm ammunition shipped transported interstate foreign commerce custis answers difficult constitutional question believe underlying statute pose judgment armed career criminal act acca authorize sentence enhancement based prior convictions defendant show sentencing unlawfully obtained respectfully dissent acca mandatory minimum sentence applies defendants three previous convictions violent felony serious drug offense construes convictio refer fact conviction ante emphasis original concludes congress intend permit collateral attacks sentencing prior convictions ante interpretation custis acca come surprise courts appeals one exception understood convictio acca mean lawful conviction permitted defendants show sentencing prior conviction offered enhancement unconstitutionally obtained whether violative right appointed counsel see gideon wainright right effective assistance counsel see strickland washington right conviction based unknowing involuntary guilty plea see boykin alabama constitutional rights weight appellate authority opinion reflects proper construction acca contrary reading ignores legal framework within congress drafted acca framework presume congress familiar see cannon university chicago language became acca first proposed enacted codified reenacted codified decisions burgett texas custis tucker books even narrow reading accords decisions today recognize least right raise sentencing gideon challenges prior convictions used enhancement see ante unless congress intended snub constitutional right ordinarily indulge strong presumption congress legislated accordance constitution textile workers lincoln mills frankfurter dissenting convictio simply refer mere fact conviction provision must meant allow sentencing least challenges prior convictions offered enhancement likely congress intent informed narrow reading burgett tucker adopts today legal environment acca enactment burgett tucker thought stand broader proposition consideration given sentencing conviction unconstitutionally obtained wright federal practice procedure courts appeals consistently read decisions requiring courts entertain claims prior convictions relied upon enhancement unconstitutional reasons gideon violations congress enacted acca backdrop must presumed custis intended permit defendants attempt show sentencing prior convictions unconstitutionally obtained presumption strongly bolstered fact congress despite consistent interpretation acca permitting attacks prior convictions sentencing despite amending law several times since enactment see note following listing amendments left language relevant untouched congress failure express legislative disagreement appellate courts reading acca disregarded especially since congress acted area response appeals decisions thought revealed statutory flaws requiring correct ion see see also herman maclean huddleston light judicial interpretation statutory provision congress decision leave provision intact suggests congress ratified interpretation accordingly absent clear indication congress intended preclude challenges sentencing prior convictions relied upon enhancement acca must read permitting challenges fails identify language acca affirmatively precluding collateral attacks prior convictions sentencing none instead hears clear message statutory silence find none arguments persuasive first invokes conviction expunged set aside person pardoned civil rights restored shall considered conviction purposes chapter according custis exemption clause elsewhere called see beecham slip creates clear negative implication courts may count conviction set aside ante expressio unius words est exclusio alterius even premise argument correct bridge crosses reach conclusion notoriously unreliable bear weight often valuable servant maxim inclusion something negatively implies exclusion everything else expressio unius etc dangerous master follow construction statutes ford internal quotation marks citation omitted rests assumption omissions legislative drafting deliberate assumption know false see posner statutory interpretation classroom courtroom radin statutory interpretation result cholars long savaged expressio canon cheney icc cadc williams least made work conclusive presumption decisions support proposition ometimes canon applies sometimes whether depends largely context dickerson interpretation custis application statutes see also case contemporary legal context cannon university chicago congress drafted acca requires rejecting negative implication relies context described understood defendants constitutional right attack sentencing prior convictions previously invalidated legal setting odd congress intended establish constitutionally controversial rule mere implication see lowe sec areas legislation might intrude constitutional guarantees believe congress always sworn protect constitution err side fundamental constitutional liberties legislation implicates liberties internal quotation marks citation omitted fact legislative history indicates quite different intention informed addition two years acca enactment exemption clause related choice law clause beecham supra slip congress simply intended clarify law convicting jurisdiction principal reference point determining counts conviction purposes federal felon possession law correct oversight resulted omission exemption language one two parallel provisions see supra amending congress addressing question course federal litigation conviction challenged indeed legislative history amendment reveals hint intention respect sentence enhancement provision rather exclusive focus custis federal firearms disability cf miles illinois central frankfurter dissenting relying legislative history counter negative implication statute text result argument negative implication exemption clause must fail fact congress exemption clause expressly precluded reliance upon unconstitutional convictions set aside simply reveal intent respect require reliance sentencing unconstitutional convictions yet set aside second statutory argument also seeks establish congressional intent negative implication successful observes congress statutes expressly permitted challenges prior convictions sentencing see ante citing said show congress intended authorize collateral attacks prior convictions time sentencing knew ante surely believe congress intended preclude collateral attacks prior convictions time sentencing know effort infer intent statutory silence runs afoul context statute enactment within legal framework forbidding sentencing basis prior convictions defendant show invalid congress intended require sentencing basis convictions expected made intention explicit finally turns support lewis held federal felon possession law permit defendant prosecution challenge constitutional validity predicate felony conviction custis reliance lewis however assumes equivalence two different types laws lewis disclaimed law disabling convicted felons possessing firearms issue lewis law requiring sentence enhancement based prior convictions issue well burgett tucker lewis explained felon possession law sweeping prophylaxis designed keep firearms away potentially dangerous persons whereas sentence enhancement law depend upon reliability past conviction unlawfulness past conviction irrelevant former latter lewis thought expressly distinguishing burgett tucker nforcement federal gun disability support guilt enhance punishment basis conviction unreliable quoting burgett material way felon possession law differs sentence enhancement law burgett tucker part relevant legal backdrop congress enacted law interpreted lewis lewis thus fairly presume conviction statute used shorthand fact felony conviction lewis recognized however burgett tucker part backdrop sentence enhancement laws enacted backdrop congress must presumed used conviction mean lawful conviction permitted defendants show sentencing prior convictions offered enhancement unconstitutionally obtained custis ii even thought acca ambiguous statutory arguments establish resolve ambiguity petitioner favor accordance cardinal principle statutory construction first ascertain whether construction statute fairly possible constitutional question may avoided ashwander tva brandeis concurring quoting crowell benson see also edward debartolo florida gulf coast building construction trades council nlrb catholic bishop chicago blodgett holden holmes concurring result ashwander principle sure comes play constitutional question avoided difficult one designation easily fits question reading acca requires decide question whether constitution permits courts enhance defendant sentence basis prior conviction defendant show obtained violation right effective assistance counsel see strickland washington defendant show based unknowing involuntary guilty plea see boykin alabama difficult question one thing language logic burgett tucker hard limit claimed violations right recognized gideon wainright lawyer appointed necessary indicated uniformity lower decisions interpreting see supra burgett tucker easily best read announcing broader principle sentence may custis enhanced conviction defendant show obtained violation specific federal right tucker put sentence may founded even part upon misinformation constitutional magnitude allow underlying right denied anew suffer serious erosion burgett citation omitted see also tucker supra references burgett tucker right discussed gideon hardly surprising specific federal right record conviction obtained violation misinformation constitutional magnitude defendants invoked opinions cases moreover made quite clear discussion gideon meant supply limitation burgett described gideon unique illustrative limitations constitution places state criminal procedures recounted supportive holding cases involving coerced confessions denials confrontation right illegal searches seizures tucker made clear real question whether defendant sentence might different sentencing judge known defendant previous convictions unconstitutionally obtained tucker supra custis even consistently principles stare decisis burgett tucker read applying class cases defined exclude claimed violations strickland boykin question whether confine easily answered purposes ashwander rule burgett tucker deal directly claimed violations gideon distinguishing purposes violations gideon strickland describe fine line establish violation sixth amendment strickland defendant must show counsel performance deficient deficient performance prejudiced defense counsel errors serious deprive defendant fair trial trial whose result reliable hard see defendant better one denied counsel altogether conviction defendant may used sentence enhancement conviction one denied counsel altogether may sixth amendment guarantees mere formality appointment assistance counsel cf strickland supra person happens lawyer present trial alongside accused enough satisfy sixth amendment right counsel right effective assistance counsel whether violation gideon strickland defendant denied constitutional right custis also difficult see sentencing must entertain defendant claim prior conviction obtained violation sixth amendment right counsel need entertain defendant claim prior conviction based unknowing involuntary guilty plea claim meritorious mean defendant convicted despite invalid waivers least one two sixth amendment rights trial jury confront adverse witnesses fifth amendment right compulsory see boykin sure simple task prove guilty plea result gnorance incomprehension coercion terror inducements subtle blatant threats certainly least difficult question whether defendant make showing receive less favorable treatment defendants burgett tucker though offers theory drawing line right claimed violated burgett tucker rights claimed violated theory fraught difficulty view principle burgett tucker reaches constitutional violations ris ing level jurisdictional defect resulting failure appoint counsel ante citing johnson zerbst nowhere burgett tucker distinction drawn jurisdictional nonjurisdictional rights fact giving cause surprise since long waley johnston openly discarded concept jurisdiction fiction anything else touchstone availability federal habeas review wainwright sykes johnson zerbst today places much reliance ringing endorsement jurisdiction theory custis many years prior case concept jurisdiction subjected considerable strain fay noia harlan dissenting johnson zerbst actually last case mention idea offering token deference old concept habeas writ reach jurisdictional defects wechsler habeas corpus reconsidering reach great writ reviving jurisdiction theory skips difficulty led abandonment devising standard tell whether flaw proceedings leading conviction counts jurisdictional defect concept jurisdiction taken beyond question competence deal class offenses charged person prisoner must concept reach gideon violations becomes less luminous beacon bator finality criminal law federal habeas corpus state prisoners thus denied appointed counsel jurisdictional defect denied effective counsel treated equivalent strickland conviction obtained violation right appointed counsel suffers jurisdictional defect right purpose protect accused conviction resulting ignorance legal constitutional rights johnson zerbst supra distinguish conviction based guilty plea resulting defendant ignorance legal constitutional rights precisely due custis futility providing principled answers questions years ago quarter century burgett tucker finally abandoned kissing jurisdictional book bator meltzer mishkin shapiro hart wechsler federal federal system ed nevertheless finds compelled reembrace concept jurisdictional defect fraught difficulties order answer constitutional question raised reading acca fairly possible ashwander construe acca avoid difficulties associated constitutional questions discussed ashwander rule restraint provides sufficient reason reject construction acca rule lenity applies interpretations substantive ambit criminal prohibitions also penalties impose albernaz drives conclusion though lenity usually invoked doubt whether legislature criminalized particular conduct policy lenity also means interpret federal criminal statute increase penalty places individual interpretation based guess congress intended ibid internal quotation marks citation omitted cf bell may fairly said presupposition law resolve doubts enforcement penal code imposition harsher punishment say assurance custis granderson slip congress intended require courts enhance sentences basis prior convictions defendant show invalid rule lenity independently requires interpreting acca permit defendants present challenges sentencing judge sentence imposed invokes ase administration support constitutional holding ante doubt even powerful argument administrative convenience suffice displace ashwander rule cf stanley illinois burden argument strong one burdens allowing defendants challenge prior convictions sentencing severe likely less severe associated alternative avenues raising claims years required federal courts entertained claims sentencing drug laws prior convictions offered enhancement invalid obtained violation constitution unamended statute reflecting continuing congressional judgment associated administrative burdens justified tolerable almost decade federal courts done acca see supra without congressional notice judicial burden thought require relief see also parke raley slip recent years state courts permitted various challenges prior convictions sentencing sees administrative burdens arising sentencing courts required rummage frequently nonexistent difficult obtain state transcripts records may date another era custis may come ante sentencing courts rummaging however defendants seeking avoid enhancement one disagrees burden showing invalidity prior convictions rest defendants whatever administrative benefits may flow insulating sentencing courts challenges prior convictions likely offset administrative costs alternative means raising claims acknowledges individual still custody state conviction relied upon enhancement may attack conviction state federal habeas review successful may apply reopening federal sentence enhanced state sentence ante disturb uniform appellate case law holding individual serving enhanced sentence may invoke federal habeas reduce sentence extent lengthened prior unconstitutional conviction see liebman hertz federal habeas corpus practice procedure pp supp collecting cases perspective custis administrability strikes entirely sensible resolve challenges lawfulness predicate conviction single sentencing proceeding especially since defendants normally represented counsel bring efficiency litigation well equitable benefits iii agree congress required federal courts impose enhanced sentences basis prior convictions defendant show constitutionally invalid respectfully dissent opinion makes clear uses phrase collateral attack refer attack sentencing see ante granted certiorari determine whether defendant federal custis sentencing proceeding may collaterally attack validity previous state convictions used enhance sentence acca see paleo breyer rehearing denied containing additional discussion statutory issue preston taylor gallman day clawson interpreting ed predecessor wicks ruo see mancusi confrontation clause jefferson martinez unknowing involuntary guilty plea taylor brown ineffective assistance counsel martinez despite unstated assumption contrary sentencing finds prior conviction unconstitutionally obtained said set aside conviction purposes sentencing reading squares better evident purpose exemption clause well statute added firearm owner protection act disregarding convictions fairly reliably demonstrate person bad character notion burgett tucker stand narrow principle today majority describes escaped twice parke raley slip rejected argument burgett requires place burden government sentencing prove validity prior convictions offered enhancement though underlying claim raley one claims prior conviction resulted invalid guilty plea hold burgett inapposite involving gideon violation rather accepted burgett applicability distinguished case different grounds see custis slip zant stephens described tucker holding sentence must set aside trial relied least part misinformation constitutional magnitude prior uncounseled convictions unconstitutionally imposed quoting tucker clearly indicating understanding tucker limited gideon violations judge friendly suggested convicting lacks jurisdiction criminal process broken defendant kind trial constitution guarantees friendly innocence irrelevant collateral attack criminal judgments definition easily cover custis strickland boykin claims custis sought raise sentencing maleng cook holding federal habeas jurisdiction entertain defendant attack sentence extent enhanced prior allegedly unconstitutional conviction express ed view extent prior conviction may subject challenge attack upon sentenc used enhance citing rule appeals decisions postdating maleng uniformly read consistent view federal habeas courts may review prior convictions relied upon sentence enhancement grant appropriate relief see collins hesse discussing maleng citing cases addition depending circumstances writ coram nobis may available challenge prior conviction relied upon sentencing see morgan crank duckworth lewis custis successful defendant may petition sentencing reconsideration enhanced sentence see restatement second judgments page