United States v. Linda Sue Brown

459 F.2d 319
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
DecidedApril 25, 1972
Docket71-1006
StatusPublished
Cited by26 cases

This text of 459 F.2d 319 (United States v. Linda Sue Brown) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Linda Sue Brown, 459 F.2d 319 (5th Cir. 1972).

Opinions

RONEY, Circuit Judge:

Linda Sue Brown appeals from her conviction for possessing seven $100 counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472. Her principal arguments relate to a confession which she claims was obtained in violation of Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966) and Rule 5(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. We affirm.

On May 28, 1970, the defendant attempted to rent a Cadillac in Dallas, Texas, with a BankAmericard. The rental attendant was suspicious because the age (43) listed on the identification submitted by the defendant did not appear correct (defendant was 28), and the defendant seemed nervous, and wore sunglasses although it was almost dark. The attendant called the local Bank-[322]*322Americard office to check the card. A return call was received from Bank-Americard in Memphis, Tennessee, advising that the card was stolen. The attendant telephoned the Dallas police and upon an officer’s arrival, the attendant told him what had occurred. The officer then spoke with the BankAmeri-card official in Memphis and checked the number of the credit card presented by defendant with the number of the card listed as stolen. The officer asked Brown for identification and was given a driver’s license which contained information that did not correspond with defendant’s age or physical description. Brown was pláced under arrest and her purse was searched. In addition to a gun, the police found the seven counterfeit bills which were the subject of this conviction.

Although the defendant contends that the arrest was invalid because not based upon probable cause, this contention is without merit. Clearly, based upon “the practical considerations of everyday life,” the police officer could reasonably believe that the defendant had committed or was committing a violation of Texas law relative to improper possession or use of credit cards.1 Brinegar v. United States, 338 U.S. 160, 69 S.Ct. 1302, 93 L.Ed. 1879 (1949).

After defendant’s arrest she was taken to the Dallas City jail where around 10:00 P.M. the defendant was advised of her Miranda rights and briefly interrogated about state offenses. At 11:30 she was taken before a state magistrate who advised her of her constitutional rights. The next day, May 29, she was again taken before a state magistrate and warned of her rights.

Also on May 29, Brown was visited by two United States Secret Service agents. At that time the defendant was advised of her rights by means of a standard warning and waiver form, which she read but did not sign. Brown asked to talk with a particular attorney and the agents attempted to call him. When the attorney was not reached, a message was left to call the defendant or one of the agents, or both. After that Brown was asked about counterfeit money and she revealed who had given her the money, but denied knowing it was counterfeit. This conversation lasted fifteen to twenty minutes and there was no testimony concerning it at the trial.2

Because of the Memorial Day weekend, Brown was not visited again until June 1. On that day the state charges were dropped and the defendant was turned over to the Secret Service. She was taken to their office where they arrived at 9:45 A.M. A United States Commissioner was not present but one was expected at 1:00 P.M. Through the United States Marshal’s office, the agents attempted to reach the Commissioner. Upon arrival, Brown was again advised of her rights by use of the standard form, which she read, but did not sign. The agents explained procedures [323]*323relating to filing of the counterfeiting charge, arraignment, posting of bond and appointment of a lawyer. Within five or six minutes of her arrival, Brown asked to speak with the attorney who had been called on May 29, and who had not returned the call. The attorney was contacted and Brown spoke to him for fifteen to twenty minutes. Brown subsequently told the agents that the attorney had advised her to remain silent. After the conversation with the lawyer, the agents told her that it would be better if she got the matter “off her chest.” She indicated she had lost confidence in the attorney because he had not responded to the previous call and proceeded to make a full confession in narrative form. After completing her story, an administrative aide was called in and the story was repeated, reduced to typewritten form and signed by the defendant. This was completed at approximately 2:00 P.M. In the meantime, the agents were .still attempting to reach the Commissioner through the United States Marshal’s office. The Commissioner did not appear until 4:00 P.M. at which time the defendant was taken before him.

I. Miranda

Since the defendant was fully and correctly advised of her privilege against self-incrimination and her right to counsel on five separate occasions, twice by state magistrates, the only question is whether she knowingly and intelligently waived those rights. Where, as here, a statement is obtained without a lawyer present a heavy burden rests on the government to demonstrate a knowing and intelligent waiver. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. at 475, 86 S.Ct. at 1628. This court has stated:

“To be valid, a waiver must be made voluntarily, United States v. Ogle, 5 Cir., 1969, 418 F.2d 238, and may not be presumed ‘simply from the silence of the accused after warnings are given or simply from the fact that a confession was in fact eventually obtained.’ Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 475, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 1628 [16 L.Ed.2d 694] (1966). An express statement that the individual does not want a lawyer is not required, however, to show that the individual waived his right to have one present. See Bond v. United States, 10 Cir., 1968, 397 F.2d 162, 165. All that the prosecution must show is that the defendant was effectively advised of his rights and that he then intelligently and understandingly declined to exercise them. See Carnley v. Cochran, 369 U.S. 506, 516, 82 S.Ct. 884, 890, 8 L.Ed.2d 70 (1962).” United States v. Montos, 421 F.2d 215 (5th Cir. 1970).

We hold that the government has shown that the defendant deliberately waived her right to counsel and her privilege against self-incrimination.

As to her right to counsel, it is clear that Brown understood that right for she exercised it prior to her confession. On each occasion that Brown was interrogated by the Secret Service she refused to execute the waiver form and requested that an attorney of her choice be called. After the defendant had talked with an attorney and without a further request for counsel, the defendant confessed.3 In the circumstances of this case a failure to invoke the right to counsel, which had just been exercised, demonstrates a waiver of that right. United States v. Green, 433 F.2d 946 (5th Cir. 1970).

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459 F.2d 319, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-linda-sue-brown-ca5-1972.