caplin drysdale chartered argued march decided june christopher reckmeyer charged running massive drug importation distribution scheme alleged continuing criminal enterprise cce violation relying portion cce statute authorizes forfeiture government property acquired result violations indictment sought forfeiture specified assets reckmeyer possession district acting pursuant entered restraining order forbidding reckmeyer transferring potentially forfeitable assets nonetheless transferred petitioner law firm preindictment legal services petitioner continued represent reckmeyer indictment reckmeyer moved modify district order permit use restrained assets pay petitioner fees exempt assets postconviction forfeiture however ruled motion reckmeyer entered plea agreement government inter alia agreed forfeit specified assets denied reckmeyer motion subsequently entered order forfeiting virtually assets government petitioner arguing assets used pay attorney exempt forfeiture statute failure provide exemption renders unconstitutional filed petition seeking adjudication interest forfeited assets district granted relief sought however appeals reversed finding statute acknowledged exception forfeiture requirement statutory scheme constitutional held reasons stated monsanto ante whatever discretion provide district judges refuse issue pretrial restraining orders potentially forfeitable assets grant equitable discretion allow defendant withhold assets pay bona fide attorney fees exercise judges discretion immunize nonrestrained assets used attorney fees subsequent forfeiture provides recapture forfeitable assets transferred third parties pp forfeiture statute impermissibly burden defendant sixth amendment right retain counsel choice defendant sixth amendment right spend another person money services rendered attorney even funds way defendant able retain attorney choice money though possession rightfully petitioner contention since government claim forfeitable assets rests penal statute merely mechanism preventing fraudulent conveyances assets device determining true title property burden statute places defendant rights greatly outweighs government interest forfeiture unsound section reflects application lawful practice vesting title forfeitable assets hands government time criminal act giving rise forfeiture moreover strong governmental interest obtaining full recovery assets since assets deposited fund supports efforts since statute allows property recovered rightful owners since major purpose behind forfeiture provisions cce lessen economic power organized crime drug enterprises including use power retain private counsel pp forfeiture statute upset balance power government accused manner contrary due process clause fifth amendment constitution forbid imposition otherwise permissible criminal sanction forfeiture merely cases prosecutors may abuse processes available due process claims cognizable specific cases prosecutorial misconduct alleged pp white delivered opinion rehnquist scalia kennedy joined blackmun filed dissenting opinion brennan marshall stevens joined post peter van lockwood argued cause petitioner briefs graeme bush albert lauber julia porter robert cohen acting solicitor general bryson argued cause briefs assistant attorney general dennis edwin kneedler sara criscitelli joseph beeler bruce winick filed brief national association criminal defense lawyers et al amici curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed state california john van de kamp attorney general steve white chief assistant attorney general john gordnier senior assistant attorney general gary schons deputy attorney general eugene anderson pro se briefs amici curiae filed american bar association robert raven charles cole antonia ianniello terrance reed appellate committee california district attorneys association ira reiner harry sondheim arnold guminski justice white delivered opinion called determine whether federal drug forfeiture statute includes exemption assets defendant wishes use pay attorney conducted defense criminal case forfeiture sought determine exemption exists must decide whether statute interpreted consistent fifth sixth amendments hold january christopher reckmeyer charged multicount indictment running massive drug importation distribution scheme scheme alleged continuing criminal enterprise cce violation stat amended supp relying portion cce statute authorizes forfeiture government property constituting derived proceeds obtained violations indictment sought forfeiture specified assets reckmeyer possession app time district acting pursuant entered restraining order forbidding reckmeyer transfer listed assets potentially forfeitable sometime earlier reckmeyer retained petitioner law firm represent ongoing grand jury investigation resulted january indictments notwithstanding restraining order reckmeyer paid firm preindictment legal services days indictment handed sum placed petitioner escrow account petitioner continued represent reckmeyer following indictment march reckmeyer moved modify district earlier restraining order permit use restrained assets pay petitioner fees reckmeyer also sought exempt postconviction forfeiture order assets intended use pay petitioner however one week later district conduct hearing motion reckmeyer entered plea agreement government agreement reckmeyer pleaded guilty cce charge agreed forfeit specified assets listed indictment day reckmeyer plea entered district denied earlier motion modify restraining order concluding plea forfeiture agreement rendered irrelevant consideration propriety pretrial restraints app subsequently order forfeiting virtually assets reckmeyer possession entered district conjunction sentencing order entered petitioner filed petition permits third parties interest forfeited property ask sentencing adjudication rights property specifically gives third party entered bona fide transaction defendant right make claims forfeited property third party time transaction reasonably without cause believe defendant assets subject forfeiture see also petitioner claimed interest reckmeyer assets services provided reckmeyer conducting defense petitioner also sought held escrow account payment preindictment legal services petitioner argued alternatively assets used pay attorney exempt forfeiture failure statute provide exemption rendered unconstitutional district granted petitioner claim share forfeited assets panel fourth circuit affirmed finding contained statutory provision authorizing payment attorney fees forfeited assets statute failure impermissibly infringed defendant sixth amendment right counsel choice harvey appeals agreed hear case en banc reversed sub nom forfeiture hearing caplin drysdale chartered judges fourth circuit agreed language cce statute acknowledged exception forfeiture requirement recognize petitioner claim forfeited assets majority found statutory scheme constitutional four dissenting judges however agreed panel view statute construed violated sixth amendment phillips dissenting petitioner sought review statutory constitutional issues raised appeals holding granted certiorari affirm ii petitioner first submission statutory provision authorizes pretrial restraining orders potentially forfeitable assets defendant possession supp grants district courts equitable discretion determine orders imposed discretion exercised traditional equitable standards petitioner urges including weigh ing equities competing hardships parties approach must invariably strike balance allow defendant pay bona fide attorneys fees petitioner argues brief petitioner petitioner submits district exercises discretion fails freeze assets defendant uses pay attorney statute provision recapture forfeitable assets transferred third parties may operate sums petitioner argument acknowledges based view statute expounded judge winter second circuit concurring opinion appeals en banc decision monsanto reject interpretation statute today decision monsanto ante reverses second circuit holding case explain monsanto decision ante whatever discretion provides district judges refuse enter pretrial restraining orders extend far petitioner urges exercise discretion immunize nonrestrained assets subsequent forfeiture transferred attorney pay legal fees thus reasons provided opinion monsanto reject petitioner statutory claim iii therefore address petitioner constitutional challenges forfeiture law petitioner contends statute infringes criminal defendants sixth amendment right counsel choice upsets balance power government accused manner contrary due process clause fifth amendment consider contentions turn petitioner first claim forfeiture law makes impossible least impermissibly burdens defendant right select represented one preferred attorney wheat petitioner defensibly assert impecunious defendants sixth amendment right choose counsel amendment guarantees defendants criminal cases right adequate representation means hire lawyers cognizable complaint long adequately represented attorneys appointed courts defendant may insist representation attorney afford wheat supra petitioner dispute propositions government deny sixth amendment guarantees defendant right represented otherwise qualified attorney defendant afford hire willing represent defendant even though without funds applying principles statute question observe nothing prevents defendant hiring attorney choice disqualifies attorney serving defendant counsel thus unlike wheat case involve situation government asked prevent defendant chosen counsel representing accused instead petitioner urges violation sixth amendment arises forfeiture instance government assets defendants intend use pay attorneys even sense course burden forfeiture law imposes criminal defendant limited forfeiture statute prevent defendant nonforfeitable assets retaining attorney choosing necessarily case defendant possesses nothing assets government seeks forfeited prevented retaining counsel choice defendants like reckmeyer may able find lawyers willing represent hoping fees paid event acquittal via means defendant might come future burden placed defendants forfeiture law therefore limited one nonetheless cases defendant unable retain attorney choice defendant able hire lawyer access forfeitable assets risk fees paid defendant counsel later recouped cases petitioner argues sixth amendment puts limits forfeiture statute submission untenable whatever full extent sixth amendment protection one right retain counsel choosing protection go beyond individual right spend money obtain advice assistance counsel walters national assn radiation survivors stevens dissenting defendant sixth amendment right spend another person money services rendered attorney even funds way defendant able retain attorney choice robbery suspect example sixth amendment right use funds stolen bank retain attorney defend apprehended money though possession rightfully government violate sixth amendment seizes robbery proceeds refuses permit defendant use pay defense lawyer case right accept stolen property ransom money payment fee privilege practice law license steal laska petitioner appears concede much see brief petitioner respondent monsanto clearly see brief respondent pp petitioner seeks distinguish cases sixth amendment purposes arguing bank claim robbery proceeds rests property rights government claim forfeitable assets rests penal statute embodies fictive concept merely mechanism preventing fraudulent conveyances defendant assets device determining true title property brief petitioner light petitioner contends burden placed defendant sixth amendment rights forfeiture statute outweighs government interest forfeiture ibid premises petitioner constitutional analysis unsound several respects first property rights given government virtue forfeiture statute substantial petitioner acknowledges provision congress dictated right title interest property obtained criminals via illicit means described statute vests upon commission act giving rise forfeiture supp congress observed provision adopted approach known taint theory one long recognized forfeiture cases including decision stowell see stowell explained operation similar forfeiture provision violations internal revenue code follows soon possessor forfeitable asset committed violation internal revenue laws forfeiture laws took effect though needing judicial condemnation perfect operated time statutory conveyance right title interest remaining possessor valid effectual world recorded deed right vested defeated impaired subsequent dealings possessor stowell supra constitutional principle gives one person right give another property third party even person seeking complete exchange wishes order exercise constitutionally protected right petitioner supporting amici attempt distinguish expenditure forfeitable assets exercise one sixth amendment rights expenditures pursuit constitutionally protected freedoms see brief american bar association amicus curiae distinction hierarchy among constitutional rights defendants right spend forfeitable assets attorney fees exercises right speak practice one religion travel full exercise rights depends part one financial wherewithal forfeiture even threat forfeiture may similarly prevent defendant enjoying rights fully might otherwise nonetheless recognize antiforfeiture exception exercise right one exist exercise sixth amendment rights petitioner balancing analysis contrary rests substantially view government modest interest forfeitable assets may used retain attorney petitioner takes position large part assets paid client attorney principal ends forfeiture achieved dispossessing drug dealer racketeer proceeds wrongdoing see brief petitioner see also think view misses mark three reasons first government pecuniary interest forfeiture goes beyond merely separating criminal gains legitimate interest extends recovering forfeitable assets assets deposited fund supports efforts variety important useful ways see establishes department justice assets forfeiture fund sums money raised activities way substantial government interest using profits crime fund activities discounted second statute permits rightful owners forfeited assets make claims forfeited assets retained government see government interest winning undiminished forfeiture thus includes objective returning property full wrongfully deprived defrauded government pursues restitutionary end government interest forfeiture virtually indistinguishable interest returning bank proceeds bank robbery claim right use assets hire attorney instead returned rightful owners persuasive bank robber similar claim finally recognized previously major purpose motivating congressional adoption continued refinement racketeer influenced corrupt organizations rico cce forfeiture provisions desire lessen economic power organized crime drug enterprises see russello includes use economic power retain private counsel appeals put congress already underscored compelling public interest stripping criminals reckmeyer undeserved economic power part undeserved power may ability command legal talent notion government legitimate interest depriving criminals economic power even insofar power used retain counsel choice may somewhat unsettling see tr oral arg defendant claims suffered substantial impairment sixth amendment rights virtue seizure forfeiture assets possession complaint reflection harsh reality quality criminal defendant representation frequently may turn ability retain best counsel money buy morris slappy brennan concurring result appeals put aptly modern day jean valjean must satisfied appointed counsel yet drug merchant claims possession huge sums money entitles something reject contention notion constitutional right use proceeds crime finance expensive defense view strong governmental interest obtaining full recovery forfeitable assets interest overrides sixth amendment interest permitting criminals use assets adjudged forfeitable pay defense otherwise interference defendant sixth amendment rights whenever government freezes takes property defendant possession criminal trial jeopardy assessments internal revenue service irs seizures assets secure potential tax liabilities see may impair defendant ability retain counsel way similar complained yet assessments upheld constitutional attack note respondent monsanto concedes constitutionality see brief respondent moreover petitioner claim share forfeited assets postconviction suggest government never impose burden assets within defendant control used pay lawyer criminal defendants however exempted federal state local taxation simply financial levies may deprive resources used hire attorney therefore reject petitioner claim sixth amendment right criminal defendants use assets government assets adjudged forfeitable reckmeyer pay attorney fees merely assets possession see also monsanto ante rejects similar claim respect pretrial orders assets yet judged forfeitable petitioner second constitutional claim forfeiture statute invalid due process clause fifth amendment permits government upset balance forces accused accuser wardius oregon sure contention adds anything petitioner sixth amendment claim constitution guarantees fair trial due process clauses defines basic elements fair trial largely several provisions sixth amendment strickland washington concluded sixth amendment offended forfeiture provisions issue even however fifth amendment provides added protection encompassed sixth amendment specific provisions find petitioner claim based fifth amendment unavailing forfeiture provisions powerful weapons war crime like weapons impact devastating used unjustly due process claims alleging abuses cognizable specific cases prosecutorial misconduct petitioner made allegation directed rule inherently unconstitutional fact act might operate unconstitutionally conceivable set circumstances insufficient render invalid salerno petitioner claim power available prosecutors statute abused proves much many tools available prosecutors misused way violates rights innocent persons appeals put rejecting claim advanced every criminal law carries potential abuse potential abuse require finding facial invalidity rejected claim similar petitioner last term wheat wheat petitioner argued permitting disqualify defendant chosen counsel conflicts interest defendant objection disqualification encourage government manufacture conflicts deprive defendant chosen attorney acknowledging possible declined fashion per se constitutional rule petitioner sought wheat instead observing trial courts undoubtedly aware possibility abuse take consideration dealing disqualification motions similar approach taken constitution forbid imposition otherwise permissible criminal sanction forfeiture merely cases prosecutors may abuse processes available attempting impose persons subjected punishment cf brady cases involving particular abuses dealt individually lower courts cases arise iv reasons given find petitioner statutory constitutional challenges forfeiture imposed without merit judgment appeals therefore affirmed footnotes shall forfeit irrespective provision state law property constituting derived proceeds person obtained directly indirectly result violation imposing sentence person shall order addition sentence imposed person forfeit property described subsection supp pretrial restraining order provision pon application may enter restraining order injunction take action preserve availability property described subsection forfeiture section upon filing indictment information charging violation criminal forfeiture may ordered alleging property respect order sought event conviction subject forfeiture section argues petitioner lacks jus tertii standing advance reckmeyer sixth amendment rights see brief though argument without force conclude petitioner requisite standing person entity seeks standing advance constitutional rights others ask two questions first litigant suffered adequate satisfy article iii requirement second prudential considerations identified prior cases point permitting litigant advance claim see singleton wulff first inquiry little doubt petitioner stake forfeited assets almost certainly receive sixth amendment claim advances vindicated adequate meet constitutional minimum article iii standing second inquiry prudential one difficult answer question cases looked three factors relationship litigant person whose rights asserted ability person advance rights impact litigation interests see craig boren singleton wulff supra eisenstadt baird second three factors counsels review monsanto ante illustrates criminal defendant suffers none obstacles discussed wulff supra advancing constitutional claim think first third factors however clearly weigh petitioner favor relationship petitioner reckmeyer like relationship baird one special consequence like baird credibly alleged statute issue may materially impair ability third persons reckmeyer position exercise constitutional rights see baird supra petitioner therefore satisfies requirements jus tertii standing section statute includes relation back provision right title interest property described vests upon commission act giving rise forfeiture section property subsequently transferred person defendant may subject special verdict forfeiture thereafter shall forfeited unless transferee establishes entitlement property pursuant discussed supra supp particularly odd recognize sixth amendment defense forfeiture forfeiture substantive charge indictment defendant thus petitioner asks us take sixth amendment guarantee counsel defense make guarantee petitioner defense indictment doubt amendment guarantees procedural nature cf faretta california provide substantive defense charges accused example one assets reckmeyer agreed forfeit parcel land known shelburne glebe see app forfeiture order recently sold federal authorities million washington post may cols proceeds sale fund federal state local activities ibid also reject contention advanced amici see brief american bar association amicus curiae accepted courts considering claims like petitioner see rogers supp type per se ineffective assistance counsel results due particular complexity rico cases defendant permitted use assets possession retain counsel choice instead must rely appointed counsel argument accepted bar trial indigents charged offenses persons rely appointed counsel view considers per se ineffective appointed counsel ineffective particular case defendant resort remedies discussed strickland washington say sixth amendment guarantee effective assistance counsel guarantee privately retained counsel every complex case irrespective defendant ability pay see avco delta corporation canada summers brodson en banc myriad mechanisms operate manner similar irs jeopardy assessments might also subjected sixth amendment invalidation petitioner claim accepted see brickey attorneys fee forfeitures emory petitioner advances three additional reasons invalidating forfeiture statute concern possible ethical conflicts created lawyers defending persons facing forfeiture assets possession see brief petitioner see also brief american bar association amicus curiae petitioner first notes statute exemption forfeiture property transferred bona fide purchaser reasonably without cause believe property subject forfeiture provision said might give attorney incentive investigate defendant case fully possible lawyer invoke protect forfeiture fees received yet given requirement assets government wishes forfeited must specified indictment see fed rule crim proc way lawyer beneficiary fail read indictment client light prospect lawyer might find conflict client seeking take advantage amounts little petitioner concedes conflict practical matter never arise defendant lawyer demonstrate reasonably without cause believe property subject forfeiture petitioner concludes one point brief petitioner second possible conflict arises plea bargaining petitioner posits lawyer may advise client accept agreement entailing harsh prison sentence forfeiture even contrary client interests effort preserve lawyer fee following strategy however surely constitute ineffective assistance counsel see reason cases strickland washington inadequate deal ineffectiveness arises event claim conduct occurred reckmeyer plea agreement included forfeiture virtually every asset possession moreover rejected claim similar one evans jeff finally petitioner argues forfeiture statute operation create system akin contingency fees defense lawyers defense lawyer wins acquittal client able collect fees contingent fees criminal cases generally considered unethical see aba model rule professional conduct aba model code professional responsibility dr indication petitioner firm actually sought charge defendant contingency basis rather claim law firm prospect collecting fee may turn outcome trial however may often case criminal defense work clear permitting contingent fees criminal cases forfeiture statute violates criminal defendant sixth amendment rights fact federal statutory scheme authorizing contingency fees congress created premise doubt odds model disciplinary rules state disciplinary codes hardly renders federal statute invalid justice blackmun justice brennan justice marshall justice stevens join dissenting jurists held forth result majority reaches cases guided one core insight unseemly unjust government beggar prosecutes order disable defense trial majority trivializes burden forfeiture law imposes criminal defendant caplin drysdale chartered ante instead heed warnings district judges whose exposure process enables understand perhaps far better devastating consequences attorney fee forfeiture integrity adversarial system justice statute consider today interpreted avoid depriving defendants ability retain private counsel interpreted given grave constitutional ethical problems raised forfeiture funds used pay legitimate counsel fees badalamenti supp sdny even congress fact required substantial incursion defendant choice counsel recognized framers stripped congress power added sixth amendment constitution majority acknowledges must language comprehensive forfeiture act act ch stat amended codified relevant part et seq supp expressly provides forfeiture attorney fees legislative history contains substantive discussion question monsanto ante fact legislative history congressional debates similarly silent use forfeitable assets pay stockbroker fees laundry bills country club memberships ante means nothing one believe congress unaware interference payment attorney fees unlike interference expenditures raise sixth amendment concerns see edward debartolo florida gulf coast building construction trades council despite absence indication congress intended use forfeiture weapon legitimate attorney fees majority purporting respect established practice construing statute avoid constitutional problems monsanto ante contends constrained conclude act reaches attorney fees follow usual practice told close cas statutory language ambiguous ibid majority finds unambiguous language provides defendant convicted certain crimes defendant shall forfeit property derived proceeds crime used facilitate crime agree broad language cast mandatory terms agree majority conclusion lack express exemption attorney fees makes act whole unambiguous majority succeeds portraying act unambiguous making light relevant provisions judge winter observed broad mandatory language applies terms person convicted referenced crimes monsanto third parties assets transferred return services rendered person convicted however forfeiture property possession controlled rather section provides property subsequently transferred person defendant may subject special verdict forfeiture thereafter shall ordered forfeited emphasis added third party fails satisfy certain requirements exemption thus like provide property defined forfeitable must shall forfeited forfeitable property held third party presumptively shall ordered forfeited included special verdict inclusion verdict discretionary also considerable room discretion language controls government use postindictment protective orders prevent preconviction transfer potentially forfeitable assets third parties section provides upon application may enter restraining order injunction take action preserve availability property forfeiture section upon filing indictment information charging violation criminal forfeiture may ordered alleging property respect order sought event conviction subject forfeiture section emphasis added majority deny contain discretionary language argues however exercise discretion must cabined purposes act monsanto ante proposition course unassailable agree discretion created act used defeat purposes act majority errs however taking overly broad view act purposes majority view act aims preserve availability potentially forfeitable property preconviction period achieve forfeiture property upon conviction ibid view act purposes effectively writes discretion exercise discretion diminish government postconviction take review legislative history act demonstrates act seek forfeiture property sake merely maximize amount money government collects central purposes act properly understood fully served approach forfeiture leaves ample room exercise statutory discretion congress systematic goal criminal forfeiture prevent profits criminal activity poured future activity economic power criminal activity sustained grows senate report congress recognized enactment statutes specifically addressing organized crime illegal drugs conviction individual racketeers drug dealers limited effectiveness economic power bases criminal organizations enterprises left intact included forfeiture authority designed strip offenders organizations economic power ibid see also pt criminal forfeiture statutes bold attempt attack economic base criminal activity congress also traditional punitive goal mind strip convicted criminals assets purchased proceeds criminal activities particularly area drug trafficking congress concluded crime become lucrative criminals deterred conventional punishments drug dealers able accumulate huge fortunes result illegal activities sad truth financial penalties drug dealing frequently seen dealers cost business image convicted drug dealers returning home prison terms comforts criminal activity buy one congress abide finally congress acutely aware defendants unhindered routinely defeat purposes act sheltering assets order preserve future use continued use criminal organizations purpose permit voiding certain transfers close potential loophole current law whereby criminal forfeiture sanction avoided transfers arms length transactions senate report purposes mind becomes clear district acts within bounds statutory discretion exempts preconviction restraint postconviction forfeiture assets defendant needs retain private counsel criminal trial assets used retain counsel definition unavailable defendant criminal organization trial even defendant eventually acquitted see cloud government intrusions relationship impact fee forfeitures balance power adversary system criminal justice emory thus important legitimate purpose served employing require postconviction forfeiture funds used legitimate attorney fees employing bar preconviction payment fees government interests adequately protected long district supervises transfers attorney make sure made good faith see comment rev lost government power punish defendant convicted power one act intended grant careful analysis language act legislative history thus proves construction statute fairly possible constitutional question may avoided crowell benson indeed prudentially preferable construction also one gives full effect discretionary language thus anything remains canon statutes capable differing interpretations construed avoid constitutional issues surely applies monsanto ii majority decided otherwise however reason compelled reach constitutional issue avoided majority pauses hardly long enough acknowledge sixth amendment protection one right retain counsel choosing let alone explore full extent caplin drysdale ante instead ante moves rapidly observation defendant may insist representation attorney afford quoting wheat conclusion government free deem defendant indigent declaring assets tainted criminal activity government yet prove majority implicitly finds sixth amendment right counsel choice insubstantial outweighed legal fiction demonstrates still apparent unawareness function independent lawyer guardian freedom see stevens dissenting quoting walters national assn radiation survivors stevens dissenting years ago observed hardly necessary say right counsel conceded defendant afforded fair opportunity secure counsel choice powell alabama years proposition settled controversial question whether defendant right use funds retain chosen counsel outer limit right protected sixth amendment see chandler fretag subsequent decisions made clear indigent defendant right appointed counsel see gideon wainwright sixth amendment guarantees least minimally effective assistance counsel see strickland washington appointment effective counsel plays crucial role safeguarding fairness criminal trials never defined outer limits sixth amendment demands majority decision caplin drysdale reveals lost track distinct role right counsel choice protecting integrity judicial process role makes right represented privately retained counsel primary preferred component basic right protected sixth amendment harvey rev sub nom forfeiture hearing caplin drysdale chartered en banc right retain private counsel serves foster trust attorney client necessary attorney truly effective advocate see aba standards criminal justice commentary ed decisions crucial defendant liberty placed counsel hands see faretta california defendant perception fairness process willingness acquiesce results depend upon confidence counsel dedication loyalty ability cf joint refugee committee mcgrath frankfurter concurring government insists upon right choose defendant counsel relationship trust undermined counsel readily perceived government agent rather indeed faretta held sixth amendment prohibits imposing appointed counsel defendant prefers represent decision predicated insight force lawyer defendant lead believe law contrives right retain private counsel also serves assure modicum equality government chooses prosecute government expected spend vast sums money try defendants accused crime gideon wainwright course devote greater resources complex cases punitive stakes high precisely reason defendants charged crime indeed fail hire best lawyers get prepare present defenses ibid government provides appointed counsel guarantee levels compensation staffing even average cases complex trials long stakes high problem exacerbated despite legal profession commitment pro bono work bassett supp md aff grounds sub nom harvey even best intentioned attorneys may choice decline task representing defendants cases receive adequate compensation see rogers supp long haul result lowered compensation levels talented attorneys decline enter criminal practice exodus talented attorneys devastate criminal defense bar winick forfeiture attorneys fees rico cce right counsel choice constitutional dilemma avoid miami rev without defendant right retain private counsel government readily defeat adversaries simply outspending right privately chosen compensated counsel also serves broader institutional interests virtual socialization criminal defense work country result widespread abandonment right retain chosen counsel brief committees criminal advocacy criminal law association bar city new york et al amici curiae readily standardize provision services diminish defense counsel independence place system criminal justice maverick risk taker approaches might fit structured environment public defender office might displease judge whose preference nonconfrontational styles advocacy might influence judge appointment decisions see bazelon defective assistance counsel cin rev kadish schulhofer paulsen criminal law processes ed cf sacher nature proceedings presupposes least stimulates zeal opposing lawyers also place employment specialized defense counsel technical complex cases see thier concurring opinion modification relevant choice counsel primary means defendant establish kind defense put forward see laura healthy independent defense bar expected meet demands varied circumstances faced criminal defendants assure interests individual defendant unduly subordinat ed needs system bazelon cin sum chosen system criminal justice built upon truly equal adversarial presentation case upon trust exist counsel independent government without right reasonably exercised counsel choice effectiveness system imperiled congress express aim undermine adversary system know hardly found better engine destruction forfeiture main effect forfeitures act course deny defendant right retain counsel therefore right defense designed presented attorney chosen trusts government restrains defendant assets trial private counsel unwilling continue take defense even restraining order entered possibility forfeiture conviction substantially diminish likelihood private counsel agree take case message private counsel represent defendant lose fee kind message lawyers likely take seriously defendant find difficult impossible secure representation badalamenti resulting relationship defendant counsel likely begin distrust exacerbated extent defendant perceives indigency form punishment imposed government order weaken defense defendant represented private counsel earlier proceedings defendant sense government stripped defenses sharpened concreteness loss appointed counsel may inexperienced undercompensated reason may adequate opportunity resources deal special problems presented likely complex trial already scarce resources public defender office stretched limit facing lengthy trial better armed adversary temptation recommend guilty plea great result defendant convicted sense often well grounded justice done even defendant finds private attorney foolish ignorant beholden idealistic take business relationship undermined forfeiture statute perhaps attorney willing violate ethical norms working basis criminal case see caplin drysdale ante question integrity attorney violate ethical norms profession attorney interests dictate remain ignorant source assets paid transferee may keep assets transferee establishes bona fide purchaser value property time purchase reasonably without cause believe property subject forfeiture section less attorney knows greater likelihood claim innocent third party attorney interest knowing nothing directly adverse client interest full disclosure result conflict may less vigorous investigation defendant circumstances leading turn failure recognize pursue avenues inquiry necessary defense conflicts interest also likely develop attorney fears fee tempted make government waiver fee forfeiture sine qua non plea agreement position conflicts client best interests see badalamenti bassett perhaps troubling fact forfeiture statutes place government position exercise intolerable degree power private attorney takes task representing defendant forfeiture case decision whether seek restraining order rests prosecution decision whether waive forfeiture upon plea guilty conviction trial government ever tempted use forfeiture weapon defense attorney particularly talented aggressive client behalf attorney better government view defendant deserves specter government selectively excluding talented defense counsel serious threat equality forces necessary adversarial system perform best see monsanto concurring opinion rogers cloud emory attorney whose fees potentially subject forfeiture forced operate environment government defendant adversary also effects practice decimate private bar use forfeiture mechanism expands new categories federal crimes spreads one class defendants free routinely retain private counsel affluent defendant accused crime generates economic gain number private clients diminishes idealistic least skilled young lawyers attracted field remainder seek greener pastures elsewhere see winick miami short forfeiture substantially undermines every interest served sixth amendment right chosen counsel individual institutional levels short term long haul recognized although presumption favor defendant counsel choice wheat right counsel choice absolute substantial legitimate governmental interests may require courts disturb defendant choice counsel hen defendant selection counsel particular facts circumstances case gravely imperils prospect fair trial marshall dissenting threatens undermine orderly disposition case see ungar sarafite never today suggested government naked desire deprive defendant best counsel money buy caplin drysdale ante quoting morris slappy brennan opinion concurring result legitimate government interest justify government interference defendant right chosen counsel good reason eakening ability accused defend trial advantage government legitimate government interest used justify invasion constitutional right monsanto feinberg concurring legitimate interests government asserts extremely weak far weak justify act substantial erosion defendant sixth amendment rights government claims property interest forfeitable assets predicated provision employs legal fiction grant government title forfeitable property date crime majority permitting defendant use assets private purposes provision become property conviction occurs sanctioned monsanto ante government insistence paramount interest defendant resources simply begs constitutional question rather answering indeed ultimate constitutional issue might well framed precisely whether congress may use wholly fictive device property law cut fundamental right accused criminal case right must yield countervailing governmental interests device undoubtedly used implement governmental interests surely serve substitute forfeiture hearing caplin drysdale chartered dissenting opinion furthermore fiction gives government property interest whatsoever defendant assets defendant convicted instances assets government attempts reach using forfeiture provisions act derivative proceeds crime property acquired illegally purchased profits criminal activity prior conviction sole title assets merely possession case majority bank robbery example caplin drysdale ante rests defendant party present legal claim yet preconviction period forfeiture threat force restraining order deprives defendant use assets retain counsel government interest assets time restraint interest safeguarding fictive property rights one hardly weighs defendant formidable sixth amendment right retain counsel defense majority contends course assets restrained upon finding probable cause believe property ultimately proved forfeitable government may restrain persons finding probable cause accused committed serious offense government necessarily right restrain property defendant seeks use retain counsel showing probable cause well monsanto ante citing salerno neither majority premise conclusion well founded although obtaining restraining order requires showing probable cause practical effects threat forfeiture felt long indictment stage attorney asked represent target drug racketeering investigation even routine tax investigation facts caplin drysdale demonstrate must think ahead possibility defendant assets turn forfeitable defendant formally restrained using assets pay counsel period reluctance attorney represent defendant face forfeiture threat effectively strips defendant right retain counsel threat forfeiture damage long government must come forward showing probable cause even majority correct defendant ever deprived right retain counsel without showing probable cause majority analogy permissible pretrial restraints fail act gives government right seek restraining order solely basis indictment signifies finding probable cause believe assets tainted defendant otherwise incarcerated trial contrast restraint justified fact indictment alone addition must showing alternatives reasonably assure appearance person trial safety person community supp equivalent individualized showing defendant likely dissipate assets fraudulently transfer third parties necessary majority reading furthermore potential danger resulting failure restrain assets differs kind severity danger faced public defendant believed violent remains large trial finally even government asserted interests entitled weight manner government chosen protect undercuts position transferee may keep assets reasonably without cause believe property subject forfeiture legitimate providers services meet requirements statutory exemption exception defendant attorney job least job well without asking questions reveal source defendant assets difficult put great weight government interest increasing amount property available forfeiture means chosen starkly underinclusive burdens fall almost exclusively upon exercise constitutional right interests ephemeral permitted defeat defendant right assistance chosen counsel iii view act interpreted majority inconsistent intent congress seriously undermines basic fairness system majority upheld constitutionality act interpreted deter congress hope amending act make clear congress intend result power declare act constitutional thereby make wise dissent opinion applies also monsanto ante see rogers supp badalamenti supp sdny reckmeyer supp ed aff grounds sub nom harvey rev sub nom forfeiture hearing caplin drysdale chartered en banc bassett supp md aff grounds sub nom harvey ianniello supp sdny estevez supp ed app dism untimeliness indeed strongest statement question comment house report nothing section intended interfere person sixth amendment right counsel pt even majority correct statement nothing exhortation courts tread carefully delicate area monsanto ante majority explain proceeds ignore congress exhortation construe statute avoid implicating sixth amendment concerns majority acknowledges judge winter whose interpretation act caplin drysdale monsanto adopt briefs see monsanto ante monsanto en banc winter concurring language differs language federal rule criminal procedure promulgated provide procedural rules congress earlier forays criminal forfeiture rule provides indictment information alleges interest property subject criminal forfeiture special verdict shall returned extent interest property subject forfeiture emphasis added congress decision depart mandatory language fashioned special verdict provision assets transferred third parties significant act mandatory treatment forfeiture property defendant hands treatment property transferred third parties consistent distinction civil forfeiture criminal forfeiture theory properly fiction underlying civil forfeiture property subject forfeiture tainted used unlawful manner right government take possession depend government ultimately convicting person used property unlawful way diminished innocence bona fides party whose hands property falls see stowell criminal forfeiture contrast penal nature predicated adjudicated guilt defendant punishment defendant express purpose see generally cloud forfeiting defense attorneys fees applying institutional role theory define individual constitutional rights rev purpose forfeiture punish defendant government penal interests weakest punishment also burdens third parties adopting view act majority ignores government concession oral argument en banc appeals second circuit act enacted measure see monsanto winter concurring thus although government interest using profits crime fund activities perhaps discounted caplin drysdale ante dispositive congress willingness return forfeited funds victims crime instead using purposes indicate restitution primary goal act see ante restitution event likely result typical case act designed one property forfeited consists derivative proceeds illegal activity rather stolen property readily traceable particular victim see cloud majority contends desire lessen economic power organized crime drug enterprises includes use economic power retain private counsel caplin drysdale ante notion government legitimate interest depriving criminals convicted economic power even insofar power used retain counsel choice somewhat unsettling majority suggests ibid notion constitutionally suspect equally important present purposes completely foreign congress stated goals purpose provision assure assets proved trial product criminal activity channeled criminal activity strip defendants assets showing probable cause tainted see bassett comment rev contrary view majority relies nothing rhetoric en banc appeals majority opinion caplin drysdale congress desire maximize punishment however viewed blanket authorization government action punishes defendant proved guilty judge winter noted logic suggests forfeiture assets defendant uses support family unduly harsh necessary achieve goals act monsanto majority chides judge winter suggesting established discretion exclude assets used pay attorney fees normal living expenses forfeiture necessary result assets must excluded monsanto ante find exceedingly unlikely district instructed discretion permit defendant retain counsel ever choose normal equitable considerations combined proper regard sixth amendment interests weigh strongly favor result slippage permissive mandatory language judge winter part seems entirely accurate predictive matter majority monsanto ante another forfeiture statute contemporaneous act contains precise exemption forfeiture respondent asks us imply suggests evidence congress understood omitting exemption act argument makeweight express exemption majority refers involves use proceeds publications accounts crime satisfy money judgment rendered favor victim offense defendant convicted legal representative victim ii pay legal representation defendant matters arising offense defendant convicted percent total proceeds may used pub stat codified supp emphasis added reason need rely nlrb catholic bishop chicago held even broadest statutory language may interpreted excluding cases raise serious constitutional questions absent clear expression affirmative intention congress include cases see also edward debartolo florida gulf coast building construction trades council catholic bishop approach however doubt required clearest indication legislative history statutory language absent even federal courts criminal justice act provides one generous compensation plans rates appointed counsel low american standards consequently majority persons willing accept appointments young inexperienced argersinger hamlin powell concurring result indeed evidence congress design criminal justice act compensatory merely reduce financial burdens assigned counsel see winick forfeiture attorney fees rico cce right counsel choice constitutional dilemma avoid miami rev government power defendant indigent unfortunate irrelevancy recognized harvey reason fear addition depriving defendant counsel choice circumstances threat forfeiture deprive defendant counsel government chooses restrain transfers employing likely defendant qualify indigent criminal justice act potential private counsel aware threat forfeiture result likely refuse take case although hoped solution developed defendant falls cracks manner guarantee accommodation made orderly fashion trial preparation substantially delayed difficulties securing counsel discussions problem see ianniello badalamenti analogies majority government drawn also inapt deal contraband government free seize law recognizes right possess see one plymouth sedan pennsylvania deal instrumentalities crime may evidentiary value may also traditionally seized government retained even defendant proved guilty unless party rightful claim property comes forward refute government contention property put unlawful use see pearson yacht leasing comment chi rev analogy jeopardy assessments internal revenue code internal revenue service situation legal claim sums issue time assessment based upon substantive provisions code contrast government claim arise conviction addition even jeopardy assessment deprive taxpayer funds necessary file challenge assessment tax proceeding civil sixth amendment therefore apply agree judge phillips observes constitutionality jeopardy assessment deprived defendant funds necessary hire counsel ward criminal challenge assumed see harvey certainly criminal defendants exempted federal state local taxation simply financial levies may deprive resources used hire attorney caplin drysdale ante government interest raising revenue need stand aside merely individual taxed rather spend money participating constitutionally protected activity doubt hesitate reject undue burden exercise constitutional right system generally exempted transactions taxation taxed payments attorneys circumstances analysis government action likely reveal burdening exercise defendant sixth amendment right unfortunate consequence government action purpose