california dept corrections morales argued january decided april respondent sentenced years life murder wife became eligible parole required california law board prison terms board held hearing time found respondent unsuitable parole numerous reasons including fact committed crime parole earlier murder respondent entitled subsequent suitability hearings annually law place murdered wife law amended however allow board defer subsequent hearings three years prisoner convicted one offense involving taking life board finds reasonable expect parole granted hearing intervening years bases finding pursuant amendment board scheduled respondent next hearing filed federal habeas corpus petition asserting applied amendment constituted ex post facto law barred constitution district denied petition appeals reversed holding retrospective law made parole hearing less accessible respondent thus effectively increased sentence violation ex post facto clause held amendment application prisoners committed crimes enacted violate ex post facto clause pp amendment increase punishment attached respondent crime left untouched indeterminate sentence substantive formula securing reductions page ii sentencing range introducing possibility board hold another parole hearing year two initial hearing amendment simply alters method followed fixing parole release date identical substantive standards lindsey washington miller florida weaver graham distinguished pp respondent expansive view clause forbid legislative change conceivable risk affecting prisoner punishment contrast long held question legislative adjustments sufficient moment transgress constitutional prohibition must matter degree declined articulate single formula making determination need either since amendment creates speculative attenuated possibility increasing measure punishment covered crimes conjectural effects insufficient threshold might established clause amendment applies taken one life class prisoners likelihood release parole quite remote addition affects timing subsequent hearings board makes specific findings first hearing moreover board authority tailor frequency subsequent hearings respondent offers support speculation prisoners might experience unanticipated change sufficiently monumental alter suitability parole prisoners might precluded receiving subsequent expedited hearing reason think postponing expedited hearing extend prisoner actual confinement period since parole release date often comes least several years suitability finding board consider prisoner became suitable parole setting actual release date pp thomas delivered opinion rehnquist scalia kennedy ginsburg breyer joined stevens filed dissenting opinion souter joined california dept corrections morales justice thomas delivered opinion state california amended parole procedures allow board prison terms decrease frequency parole suitability hearings certain circumstances case presents question whether application amendment prisoners committed crimes enacted violates ex post facto clause conclude california twice convicted respondent jose ramon morales murder body respondent girlfriend gina wallace found abandoned medical building shot head neck abdomen right thumb amputated face slashed repeatedly bloody fingerprint near body matched respondent jury found respondent guilty murder sentenced life prison serving sentence state training facility soledad california respondent met lois washabaugh woman begun visiting inmates gaining interest prison reform washabaugh visited respondent numerous california dept corrections morales occasions respondent kept contact correspondence respondent letters eventually expressed romantic interest washabaugh two married time respondent release halfway house april july washabaugh left home told friends moving los angeles live new husband three days later police officers found human hand hollywood freeway los angeles washabaugh reported missing end july fingerprint identification revealed hand body never recovered respondent subsequently arrested found possession washabaugh car purse credit cards diamond rings respondent pleaded nolo contendere murder washabaugh sentenced term years life became eligible parole beginning required california law see cal penal code ann west board prison terms board held hearing july determine respondent suitability parole california law required board set release date respondent unless found public safety requires lengthy period incarceration individual board found respondent unsuitable parole numerous reasons including heinous atrocious cruel nature offense mutilation washabaugh murder respondent record violence assaultive behavior respondent commission second murder parole first supplemental app pet cert law place time respondent murdered washabaugh respondent entitled subsequent suitability hearings annual basis cal ch however california dept corrections morales california legislature authorized board defer subsequent suitability hearings three years prisoner convicted one offense involves taking life board finds reasonable expect parole granted hearing following years bases finding cal penal code ann west light considerations led find respondent unsuitable parole based conclusion longer period observation required parole release date projected board determined reasonable expect respondent found suitable parole pursuant amendment board scheduled next hearing respondent filed federal habeas corpus petition district central district california asserting held custody violation federal constitution see respondent argued applied amendment constituted ex post facto law barred article constitution district denied respondent habeas petition appeals ninth circuit reversed california dept corrections morales prisoner paroled without first parole hearing appeals concluded retrospective law making parole hearings less accessible effectively increase prisoner sentence violate ex post facto clause appeals accordingly held board constitutionally constrained provide respondent annual parole suitability hearings required law effect committed crime granted certiorari reverse ii article constitution forbids passing ex post facto law collins youngblood reaffirmed ex post facto clause incorporated term art established meaning time framing constitution accordance original understanding held clause aimed laws retroactively alter definition crimes increase punishment criminal acts citing calder bull dall opinion chase beazell ohio legislation issue effects change definition respondent crime instead question us whether amendment increases punishment attached respondent crime arguing respondent relies chiefly california dept corrections morales trilogy cases holding legislature may stiffen standard punishment applicable crimes already committed see lindsey washington miller florida weaver graham lindsey established proposition constitution forbids application new punitive measure crime already consummated petitioners lindsey convicted grand larceny sentencing provision effect time committed crimes provided maximum sentence fifteen years applicable law called sentencing judges impose indeterminate sentence whatever maximum selected long exceed years petitioners sentenced however new statute passed required judge sentence petitioners maximum new statute petitioners secure earlier release grace parole board held application statute petitioners violated ex post facto clause measure punishment prescribed later statute severe earlier weaver miller held ex post facto clause forbids enhancing measure punishment altering substantive formula used calculate applicable sentencing range weaver petitioner sentenced years prison crime murder time crime time sentence imposed state statutes provided formula mandatory reductions terms prisoners complied certain prison regulations state laws statute petitioner challenged invalidated california dept corrections morales retroactively reduced amount gain time credits available prisoners formula though statute preserved possibility prisoners might win back credits convinced prison officials exercise discretion find especially deserving see found effectively eliminated lower end possible range prison terms statute issue miller contained similar defect florida sentencing scheme established presumptive sentencing ranges various offenses sentencing judges required follow absence clear convincing reasons departure time petitioner miller committed crime presumptive sentencing range years sentencing however state legislature altered formula establishing presumptive sentencing range certain sexual offenses increasing primary offense points assigned crimes result petitioner presumptive range jumped years held resulting increase quantum punishment violated ex post facto clause california dept corrections morales respondent insists california amendment us indistinguishable legislation issue lindsey weaver miller contends cases control one disagree amendment california punished offense murder indeterminate sentence confinement state prison term years life cal penal code ann west amendment also left unchanged substantive formula securing reductions sentencing range thus although years formal minimum term confinement respondent able secure credit reduction minimum complying prison rules regulations see ibid amendment effect standards fixing prisoner initial date eligibility parole see jackson cal determining suitability parole setting release date see cal penal code ann west amendment made one change introduced possibility initial parole hearing board hold another hearing next year year found reasonable probability respondent deemed suitable parole interim period contrast laws issue lindsey weaver miller purpose effect enhancing range available prison terms see miller supra evident focus california amendment merely relieve board costly responsibility scheduling parole hearings prisoners reasonable chance released jackson cal quoting legislative history rather changing sentencing range applicable covered california dept corrections morales crimes amendment simply alters method followed fixing parole release date identical substantive standards see miller supra contrasting adjustment presumptive sentencing range change method followed determining appropriate sentence see also dobbert florida contrasting change quantum punishment statute merely altered methods employed determining whether death penalty imposed iii respondent approach require invalidate number minor perhaps inevitable mechanical changes might produce remote risk impact prisoner expected term confinement respondent approach judiciary charged ex post facto clause micromanagement endless array legislative adjustments parole sentencing procedures including innocuous adjustments changes membership board prison terms restrictions hours prisoners may use prison law library reductions duration parole hearing restrictions time allotted convicted defendant right allocution sentencing judge page limitations defendant objections presentence reports documents seeking pardon governor countless changes might california dept corrections morales create speculative attenuated risk affecting prisoner actual term confinement making difficult make persuasive case early release fact alone end matter ex post facto purposes indeed contrary approach advocated respondent long held question legislative adjustments held sufficient moment transgress constitutional prohibition must matter degree beazell evaluating constitutionality amendment must determine whether produces sufficient risk increasing measure punishment attached covered crimes previously declined articulate single formula identifying legislative changes sufficient effect substantive crimes punishments fall within thee constitutional prohibition see occasion amendment creates speculative attenuated possibility producing prohibited effect increasing measure punishment covered crimes conjectural effects insufficient threshold might establish ex post facto clause see dobbert california dept corrections morales refusing accept speculation effective punishment new statutory scheme onerous old one first amendment applies class prisoners likelihood release parole quite remote amendment enabled board extend time suitability hearings prisoners convicted one offense involves taking life cal penal code ann west california dept corrections morales california noted prisoners found unsuitable parole initial hearing found unsuitable second subsequent hearings jackson cal light numbers amendment seen means relieve board costly responsibility scheduling parole hearings prisoners chance released ibid quoting legislative history second board authority amendment carefully tailored end amendment effect date prisoner initial parole suitability hearing affects timing subsequent hearings accordingly amendment effect prisoner unless board first concluded hearing prisoner unsuitable parole also reasonable expect parole granted hearing following years cal penal code ann west arbitrary decision morris castro cal app cal rptr board must conduct full hearing review relevant facts state bases finding cal penal code ann west though california law entirely clear point reliability board determination may also enhanced possibility administrative appeal see tit cal code regulations moreover board retains authority tailor frequency subsequent suitability hearings particular circumstances individual prisoner default requirement annual hearing board california dept corrections morales may defer next hearing two years depending circumstances cal penal code ann west thus mass murderer participated repeated violent crimes prison parole perhaps expect delay suitability hearings prisoner poses lesser threat public safety see might receive delay light particularized findings required amendment broad discretion given board narrow class prisoners covered amendment reasonably expect prospects early release parole enhanced opportunity annual hearings prisoners amendment simply allows board avoid futility going motions reannouncing denial parole suitability yearly basis respondent suggests chance amendment might nevertheless produce increased term confinement prisoners might experience change circumstances render suitable parole period hearings brief respondent respondent fails however provide support speculation multiple murderers prisoners subject amendment might experience unanticipated change sufficiently monumental alter suitability release parole even assume possibility change moreover reason conclude amendment effect prisoner actual term confinement current record provides basis concluding prisoner experiences drastic change circumstances precluded seeking expedited hearing board indeed california suggested circumstances hypothesized respondent board advance california dept corrections morales suitability hearing jackson cal california department corrections indicates brief board practice review merit communication inmate asking earlier suitability hearing reply brief petitioner board decision postpone hearing subject administrative appeal controlling regulations also seem preserve possibility belated appeal see tit cal code regulations time limits administrative appeals directory may extended expedited hearing board either volition pursuant order entered administrative appeal remove possibility harm even hypothetical circumstances suggested respondent even prisoner denied expedited hearing reason think postponement extend prisoner actual period confinement according california possibility immediate release finding suitability parole largely theoretica jackson cal many cases prisoner parole release date comes least several years finding suitability extent cases representative follows practical effect hearing postponement significant board bound statute consider sentencing information relevant setting parole release dates eye toward establishing uniform terms offenses similar gravity magnitude respect threat public cal penal code ann west standards fact prisoner suitable parole prior date hearing certainly relevant board decision setting actual release date california dept corrections morales board retains discretion expedite release date prisoner thus prisoner show suitable parole two years prior finding board might well entitled secure release date reflects fact prisoner ultimate date release entirely unaffected change timing suitability hearings iv ordered footnotes pendency action respondent appeared california dept corrections morales board suitability hearing board found respondent unsuitable determined reasonable expect found suitable parole following two annual hearings respondent next suitability hearing set opinions lindsey weaver miller suggested enhancements measure criminal punishment fall within ex post facto prohibition operate disadvantage covered offenders see lindsey weaver miller language unnecessary results cases inconsistent framework developed collins youngblood collins focus ex post facto inquiry whether legislative change produces ambiguous sort disadvantage dissent seems suggest whether amendment affects prisoner opportunity take advantage provisions early release see post whether change alters definition criminal conduct increases penalty crime punishable dissent proposes line measures deprive prisoners parole hearing make difficult prisoners obtain release post arbitrary line absolutely basis constitution delay parole hearings raises ex post facto concerns delay effectively increases prisoner term confinement hearing independent constitutional significance adjustments mechanisms surrounding sentencing process evaluated standard contrary dissent suggestion see post express view constitutionality number statutes might alter timing parole hearings circumstances different present dissent suggests speculation effect amendment prison terms run direction post approach effectively shifts state burden persuasion respondent ex post facto claim surprisingly dissent identifies support attempt undo settled rule claimant must bear risk existence alleged constitutional violation although held party asserting ex post facto claim need carry burden showing sentenced lesser term measure range punishments place previous statutory scheme see lindsey washington never suggested challenging party may escape ultimate burden establishing measure punishment changed indeed elimination burden eviscerate view ex post facto clause reaffirmed collins inhibition upon passage ex post facto laws give criminal right tried respects law force crime charged committed gibson mississippi neither require sentence carried identical legal regime previously prevailed dissent mischaracterizes analysis suggesting somehow concocted reduced standard judicial scrutiny application narrow group unpopular multiple murderers post ex post facto standard apply today constant looks whether given legislative change prohibited effect altering definition crimes increasing punishments application standard necessarily considers number factors including case amendment targets group prisoners california legislature deemed less likely others secure early release parole california dept corrections morales constitutional standard neither enhanced reduced basis societal animosity toward multiple murderers cf ibid california dept corrections morales justice stevens justice souter joins dissenting respondent charged murder wife despite respondent previous conviction murder despite serious character offense california accepted plea nolo contendere offense murder trial judge imposed sentence imprisonment years life respondent became eligible parole law effect time respondent offense entitled hearing board prison terms board year thereafter however california amended parole statute amended statute permitted board delay parole hearings multiple murderers three years provided board found reasonable expect parole granted hearing following years board determined respondent yet suitable parole making requisite findings board deferred respondent next hearing three years question whether california legislature elimination statutory right annual parole hearing increased punishment california dept corrections morales respondent offense thereby violated ex post facto clause answering question begin certain propositions law understand dispute propositions compel conclusion applied general prison population replacing statutory right annual parole hearing right hearing every three years violate ex post facto clause federal constitution though nowhere disputing conclusion majority holds amendment california parole statute ex post facto legislation applies small subset prison population namely multiple murderers see ante board must make special finding depriving prisoner annual hearing see ante view neither features sufficient save otherwise plainly invalid statute constitution provides state shall pass ex post facto law art framers viewed prohibition ex post facto legislation one fundamental protections arbitrary oppressive government thus example madison noted ex post facto laws contrary first principles social compact every principle sound legislation federalist rossiter ed similarly hamilton counted prohibition ex post facto laws among california dept corrections morales three protections described greater securities liberty republicanism constitution contains federalist rossiter ed although text ex post facto clause basic coverage well understood least since calder bull dall identified four categories ex post facto laws case us today implicates third calder category consists law changes punishment inflicts greater punishment law annexed crime committed ibid emphasis original consistently condemned laws falling category thus beazell ohio justice stone noted settled decisions well known citation may dispensed statute makes burdensome punishment crime commission prohibited ex post facto reaffirmed justice stone observation years ago beazell formulation faithful best knowledge original understanding ex post facto clause legislatures may retroactively increase punishment criminal acts collins youngblood california dept corrections morales light importance framers placed ex post facto clause always enforced prohibition retroactive enhancement scrupulously statute authorizes increased term imprisonment past offense invalid thus although carefully examined laws changing conditions confinement determine whether favorable unfavorable prisoner see rooney north dakota medley member ever voted uphold statute retroactively increased length time prisoner must remain imprisoned past offenses see miller florida unanimous opinion weaver graham without dissent ex post facto jurisprudence concerning increased punishment established three important propositions first squarely held individual prisoner need prove retroactive application law authorizing increased punishment past offense actually affected sentence prisoner must serve lindsey washington example petitioners sentenced law required sentence years law effect time offense gave judge discretion impose lesser sentence state contended petitioners failed show ex post facto violation petitioners might received sentence even old law unanimously rejected state contention ex post facto clause looks standard punishment prescribed statute rather sentence actually imposed removal possibility sentence less fifteen years end petitioners freed confinement tutelage parole california dept corrections morales revocable operates detriment sense standard punishment adopted new statute onerous old second noted impermissible increase punishment crime may result statutes govern initial sentencing also statutes govern parole early release thus weaver graham addressed florida statute altered availability credits rejected notion removal credits constitute increase punishment explaining prisoner eligibility reduced imprisonment significant factor entering defendant decision plea bargain judge calculation sentence imposed citing wolff mcdonnell warden marrero see also greenfield scafati supp mass availability good conduct deductions considered essential element sentence summarily aff finally held increase punishment occurs state deprives person opportunity take advantage provisions early release california dept corrections morales thus weaver emphasized petitioner disadvantaged reduced opportunity shorten time prison simply good conduct statement weaver consistent holding lindsey plainly substantial disadvantage petitioners deprived opportunity receive sentence give freedom custody control prior expiration term see also greenfield scafati supp mass summarily aff affirming judgment found ex post facto violation statute eliminated opportunity accumulate first six months following parole revocation applied inmate whose crime occurred statute enactment settled propositions make perfectly clear retroactive application simple statute changed frequency statutorily mandated annual parole suitability hearing constrict inmate opportunity earn early release thus constitute increased punishment violation ex post facto clause thus surprise nearly every federal appeals state consider issue held see roller cavanagh cert dism akins snow cert denied rodriguez parole commission state reynolds griffin state cert denied tiller california dept corrections morales klincar cert denied amendment issue case course simple statute therefore necessary consider whether particular features amendment eliminate ex post facto problems ii california dept corrections morales believe amendment implicates core ex post facto concern narrow class affected individuals belies majority acceptance proposition evident focus ante amendment save costs surely even today multiple murderers make small fraction total parole hearings eliminating hearings seem unlikely create substantial savings indeed though majority gives credence california dept corrections morales rationale petitioners much frank motivations urge reexamine ex post facto jurisprudence view national trend towards implementation harsher penalties conditions confinement offenders inmates brief petitioners omitted agree petitioners implication amendment better viewed part national trend toward legislation california statute challenged case one many currently popular statutes designed cut back availability parole california legislature adopted several similar provisions recent years number passed comparable legislation measures course entirely legitimate operate prospectively importance prevalence surely justify careful review measures change consequences past conduct danger legislative overreaching ex post facto clause protects particularly acute target legislation narrow group unpopular put mildly multiple murderers obviously little legislative hay made cultivating multiple murderer vote statute amendment therefore concerns animate ex post facto clause demand enhanced california dept corrections morales majority seems believe reduced judicial scrutiny iii amendment allows board defer annual hearings multiple murderers three years board finds reasonable expect parole granted hearing following years bases finding statute contain provision authorizing sort review board order dispensing annual hearings provide procedure dealing exceptional changed circumstances warranting setting release date might arise next scheduled hearing short amended statute vests unreviewable discretion board california dept corrections morales dispense annual hearings three years making required finding view requirement board make finding insufficient render amendment constitutional previously expressed doubts early release regime substitutes administrative discretion statutory requirements complies ex post facto clause weaver graham noted state statute issue reduced amount inmate automatically entitled simply avoiding disciplinary infractions performing assigned tasks state argued however statute whole caused inmates increase punishment statute provided inmates new ways earn rejected state argument noting award extra gain time purely discretionary contingent wishes correctional authorities special behavior inmate ibid reasoning behind skepticism weaver applicable case true almost factfinding regime board occasionally make mistakes defer parole hearings inmates found suitable hearings california dept corrections morales parole hearing prerequisite early release inmates affected board errors punishment increased view speculation possible methods correcting board erroneous findings persuading board reinstate cancelled hearing basis new evidence plainly insufficient bridge significant gap protection afforded unqualified right annual hearings unreviewable discretion administrative agency dispense hearings iv california dept corrections morales second majority attempts circumvent ex post facto cases characterizing risk statute actually increase inmate punishment speculative view speculation runs direction present california parole procedures possibility inmate benefit amendment instead unqualified statutory right annual hearing amendment leaves inmate protection either risk mistaken prediction risk board may influenced interest curtailing workload moreover statute gives inmate right advance favorable changed circumstances basis different result unlike ex post facto law condemned weaver also unlike statutes approved dobbert florida rooney north dakota amendment contains benefits inmate postponing reducing number parole hearings ostensibly sole purpose cutting administrative costs amendment best leave inmate position almost inevitably delay grant parole cases concludes nevertheless speculative say statute increase inmates punishment draw conclusion speculates accuracy board predictions speculates parole suitability class prisoners speculates length time elapses eventual parole hearing ultimate release date speculates availability procedures deal unexpected changes circumstances engage pure california dept corrections morales speculation condemning respondent assertion increased punishment speculative seems unpersuasive actually perverse respectfully dissent framers included two separate clauses constitution prohibiting ex post facto legislation see art cl bill attainder ex post facto law shall passed art state shall pass bill attainder ex post facto law law impairing obligation contracts highlights framers appraisal importance prohibition every law makes action done passing law innocent done criminal punishes action every law aggravates crime makes greater committed every law changes punishment inflicts greater punishment law annexed crime committed every law alters legal rules evidence receives less different testimony law required time commission offence order convict offender calder bull dall emphasis original two contrary decisions cited parties see bailey gardebring jackson cal undermine thesis bailey gardebring decision appeals found ex post facto violation minnesota failed provide prisoner annual parole hearing however one member majority premised conclusion view minnesota parole regulations laws member majority concurred result authored opinion jackson california upheld amendment issue case thus speak general situation described text bill attainder legislative act inflicts punishment without judicial trial egislative acts matter form apply either named individuals easily ascertainable members group way inflict punishment without judicial trial bills attainder prohibited constitution lovett internal quotation marks omitted prohibitions ex post facto laws bills attainder obviously closely related see fletcher peck cranch california legislature appears altered frequency parole hearings prisoners least three occasions since amendment see cal ch cal ch cal ch see laws ch comp laws ann rev stat ch code ann supp though suggests multiple murderers particularly low likelihood parole ante statute effect time petitioner offense determined even multiple murderers sufficiently likely candidates early release entitled annual parole hearing grant statutory right reflected california legislature judgment hearing provided important avenue reduced punishment ex post facto clause properly construed prevent legislature revising judgment retroactively may reasons particularly skeptical reliability board findings respect deferrals amendment board determination inmate currently suitable parole determination inmate suitable parole next three years expected separate determinations state litigation constitutionality statute state argued compliance requirement separate determinations virtually impossible oth decision deny parole delay subsequent hearing two years must jackson cal indeed respondent case findings parole suitability possibility future parole remarkably similar board california dept corrections morales findings majority relies heavily thus seem particularly questionable utility find somewhat ironic majority posits existence nonstatutory extraordinary remedies cure legislation ostensibly motivated entirely interest administrative efficiency page