Frank Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796 (6th Cir. 1965). · Go Syfert
Frank Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796 (6th Cir. 1965). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“t is true that the pronouncement of sentence represents the judgment of the court and that the order of judgment is merely evidence of the sentence”
15 citation events (5 in the last 25 years) across 8 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Havens (kyed, 2019-04-17)
Top citers, strongest first. 11 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) United States v. Havens
E.D. Ky. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
t is true that the pronouncement of sentence represents the judgment of the court and that the order of judgment is merely evidence of the sentence
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Tracey Shaw
6th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
The written judgment, on the other hand, “is merely evidence of the sentence.” United States v. Penson, 526 F.3d 331, 334 (6th Cir. 2008) (quoting Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796, 797 (6th Cir. 1965)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Wingo
6th Cir. · 2003 · confidence medium
Pointing to the fact that the district court did not mention Count Forty-Seven 5 6 from the bench at any sentencing hearing, Wingo argues that no sentence was imposed on that count because “pronouncement of sentence represents the judgment of the court and that the order of judgment is merely evidence of the sentence.” Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796, 797 (6th Cir.1965).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Paul C. \Paulie\" Villano" (2×)
10th Cir. · 1987 · confidence medium
The written commitment is mere evidence of such authority."); Borum v. United States, 409 F.2d 433, 440 (D.C.Cir.1967), cert. denied, 395 U.S. 916 , 89 S.Ct. 1765 , 23 L.Ed.2d 230 (1969) ("It was the pronouncement of sentence ... that constituted the judgment of the court."); Gilliam v. United States, 269 F.2d 770, 772-73 (D.C.Cir.1959) ("the order of judgment and commitment is merely evidence of this sentence [the oral sentence]...."); Kennedy v. Reid, 249 F.2d 492, 495 (D.C.Cir.1957) ("The pronouncement of sentence constitutes the judgment of the court."); Rowley v. Welch, 114 F.2d 499, 501 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Paul C. Villano (2×)
10th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
The written commitment is mere evidence of such authority.”); Borum v. United States, 409 F.2d 433, 440 (D.C.Cir.1967), cert. denied, 395 U.S. 916 , 89 S.Ct. 1765 , 23 L.Ed.2d 230 (1969) (“It was the pronouncement of sentence ... that constituted the judgment of the court."); Gilliam v. United States, 269 F.2d 770, 772-73 (D.C.Cir.1959) ("the order of judgment and commitment is merely evidence of this sentence [the oral sentence]____”); Kennedy v. Reid, 249 F.2d 492, 495 (D.C.Cir.1957) (“The pronouncement of sentence constitutes the judgment of the court.”); Rowley v. Welch, 114 F.2d…
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Raineri
W.D. Wis. · 1980 · confidence medium
Crain v. United States, 162 U.S. 625, 636 [ 16 S.Ct. 952, 955 , 40 L.Ed. 1097 ] (1896). 352 F.2d at 796-797.
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Myers
W.D. Mich. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
Id. at 1451 ; see Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796, 797 (6th Cir.1965) (“the pronouncement of sentence represents the judgment of the court and ... the order of judgment is merely evidence of the sentence”).
discussed Cited "see" People v. Redman
Ill. App. Ct. · 1984 · signal: accord · confidence high
People v. Moran (1930), 342 Ill. 478 ; Accord, Sasser v. United States (6th Cir. 1965), 352 F.2d 796 .” ( 71 Ill. 2d 378, 381 , 375 N.E.2d 1283, 1284 .) In People v. Moran (1930), 342 Ill. 478 , 174 N.E. 532 , the court referenced the rule that the rendition of a judgment and pronouncing sentence of the law are judicial acts, while the entry of a judgment by the clerk is a ministerial act.
cited Cited "see" People v. Allen
Ill. · 1978 · signal: accord · confidence high
People v. Moran (1930), 342 Ill. 478 ; Accord, Sasser v. United States (6th Cir. 1965), 352 F.2d 796 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Penson
6th Cir. · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence medium
“When an orally pronounced sentence is ambiguous, however, the judgment and commitment order is evidence which may be used to determine the intended sentence.” United States v. Villano, 816 F.2d 1448, 1451 (10th Cir. 1987) (en banc), quoted in United States v. Brown, 47 F. App’x 305, 315 (6th Cir. 2002) (unpublished), cert. denied, 537 U.S. 1138 (2003) and United States v. Shure, No. 88-1899, 1989 WL 49837, at *2 (6th Cir. May 12, 1989) (unpublished); see also Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796, 797 (6th Cir. 1965) (noting that “it is true that the pronouncement of sentence represen…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Penson
6th Cir. · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence medium
“When an orally pronounced sentence is ambiguous, however, the judgment and commitment order is evidence which may be used to determine the intended sentence.” United States v. Villano, 816 F.2d 1448, 1451 (10th Cir.1987) (en banc), quoted in United States v. Brown, 47 Fed.Appx. 305, 315 (6th Cir.2002) (unpublished), cer t. denied, 537 U.S. 1138 , 123 S.Ct. 930 , 154 L.Ed.2d 833 (2003) and United States v. Shure, No. 88-1899, 1989 WL 49837, at *2 (6th Cir. May 12, 1989) (unpublished); see also Sasser v. United States, 352 F.2d 796, 797 (6th Cir.1965) (noting that “it is true that the pro…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Frank SASSER, Petitioner-Appellant,
v.
UNITED STATES of America, Respondent-Appellee
16282_1.
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Nov 17, 1965.
352 F.2d 796
Frank Sasser in pro. per., Lawrence Gubow, U. S. Atty., Paul D. Borman, Asst. U. S. Atty., Detroit, Mich., on brief, for appellee.
Phillips, Brown, Green.
Cited by 14 opinions  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 69%
Citer courts: E.D. Kentucky (1)
PER CURIAM.

On November 28, 1960, appellant was convicted as an habitual violator of the narcotics laws pursuant to 26 U.S.C.A.[*797] § 7287. Under the circumstances, a sentence of at least ten years was mandatory. The sentence imposed was twelve years imprisonment, subject, however, to the provision of 18.U.S.C.A. § 4208(a) (2), whereby appellant would become eligible for parole at such time as the board of parole might determine. On March 14, 1961, the court, recognizing that it had no authority to invoke Sec. 4208(a) (2), on its own motion corrected the sentence by striking therefrom all reference to that section. On February 5, 1964, appellant filed a “motion to correct an illegal sentence,” contending therein only that the court acted illegally in correcting the sentence because appellant had no notice and was not present when this was done. This motion was denied; thereafter, however, the court granted appellant’s motion to rehear and on June 29 and 30 and July 1, 1964, held a hearing with appellant and court-appointed counsel present. At the hearing, appellant sought to persuade the court to impose a lesser sentence than imprisonment for twelve years. The court, however, refused to do this, and at the conclusion of the hearing, the court corrected the original sentence by pronouncing a 12-year sentence without reference to Sec. 4208(a) (2), effective November 28, 1960. An order was so entered.

Appellant’s first contention, as we understand it, is that because the court during the hearing indicated that it might impose a ten year sentence, it in some way bound itself to do so. It appears that the court, after pointing out that the sentence could not be less than ten years, stated that it would call the warden where appellant had been imprisoned, and if the report as to appellant’s conduct was favorable, it would be inclined to impose the minimum sentence. However, the next day the court stated that it had concluded that such a procedure would be improper and then pronounced the corrected sentence. While it is true that the pronouncement of sentence represents the judgment of the court and that the order of judgment is merely evidence of the sentence (Gilliam v. U. S., 106 U.S.App.D.C. 103, 269 F.2d 770 (1959)), the record is clear that the court was not pronouncing sentence when it indicated the possibility of imposing a ten year sentence and that the corrected sentence of twelve years was the only sentence pronounced during the hearing.

Appellant’s other contention, as we understand it, is that in correcting the sentence by striking the reference to Sec. 4208(a)(2), the court imposed a more severe sentence than had theretofore been imposed, which, appellant contends, the court was powerless to do. Appellant is not explicit as to what the court was required to do, but we assume that it is appellant’s position that the court was required to impose a corrected sentence of no more than the statutory minimum. It is sufficient to say, in answer to this contention, that if a sentence is invalid and is successfully attacked by a defendant, he may be resentenced though the resentence increased the punishment. Hayes v. U. S., 102 U.S. App.D.C., 1, 249 F.2d 516 (1957), cert. denied 356 U.S. 914, 78 S.Ct. 672, 2 L.Ed.2d 586, and cases cited therein.

Affirmed.