Puerto Rico v. Sanchez Valle
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-108 | P.R. | Jan 13, 2016 | Jun 9, 2016 | 6-2 | Kagan | OT 2015 |
Holding: The Double Jeopardy Clause bars Puerto Rico and the United States from successively prosecuting a single person for the same conduct under equivalent criminal laws.
Judgment: Affirmed, 6-2, in an opinion by Justice Kagan on June 9, 2016. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion, in which Justice Thomas joined. Justice Thomas filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Sotomayor joined.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Setback for Puerto Rico's independent powers (UPDATED) (Lyle Denniston, June 9, 2016)
- Argument analysis: Puerto Rico -- special no more? (Lyle Denniston, January 13, 2016)
- Court will question its power to decide Puerto Rico case (Lyle Denniston, January 8, 2016)
- Argument preview: A lofty issue for Puerto Rico (Lyle Denniston, January 6, 2016)
- U.S. opposes new role for Puerto Rico (Lyle Denniston, December 26, 2015)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Jun 5 2015 | Application (14A1236) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from June 18, 2015 to July 20, 2015, submitted to Justice Breyer. |
| Jun 5 2015 | Application (14A1236) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until July 20, 2015. |
| Jul 17 2015 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 24, 2015) |
| Aug 24 2015 | Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, et al. in opposition filed. |
| Sep 8 2015 | Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. |
| Sep 9 2015 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 28, 2015. |
| Oct 1 2015 | Petition GRANTED. |
| Oct 19 2015 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the petitioner. |
| Oct 20 2015 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the respondents. |
| Nov 16 2015 | Joint appendix filed. (Corrected Joint Appendix filed and distributed on 1/31/16.) (Statement of costs filed) |
| Nov 16 2015 | Brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. |
| Nov 24 2015 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 |
| Dec 4 2015 | Record requested from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. |
| Dec 15 2015 | CIRCULATED. |
| Dec 15 2015 | Record received from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. 1 Box. |
| Dec 16 2015 | Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, and James Gomez Vazquez filed. (Distributed) |
| Dec 22 2015 | Brief amici curiae of Professors Christina Duffy Ponsa and Sam Erman filed. (Distributed) |
| Dec 22 2015 | Brief amicus curiae of Virgin Islands Bar Association filed. |
| Dec 23 2015 | Brief amici curiae of Current and Former Senior Puerto Rico Officials filed. (Distributed) |
| Dec 23 2015 | Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed) |
| Dec 23 2015 | Brief amici curiae of Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico, and The Puerto Rican Bar Association filed. (Distributed) |
| Dec 23 2015 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed. |
| Dec 23 2015 | Brief amicus curiae of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Miami Chapter filed. (Distributed) |
| Jan 5 2016 | Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed) |
| Jan 8 2016 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. |
| Jan 8 2016 | Letter from Clerk of Court advising that counsel should be prepared to discuss at oral argument whether this Court has jurisdiction to review the ruling of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico under 28 U.S.C. Sec.1258. |
| Jan 11 2016 | Supplemental brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed) |
| Jan 12 2016 | Letter from counsel for the respondent received. |
| Jan 13 2016 | Argued. For petitioner: Christopher Landau, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Adam G. Unikowsky, Washington, D. C.; and Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae). |
| Jun 9 2016 | Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Ginsburg, and Alito, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Thomas, J., joined. Thomas, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor, J., joined. |
| Jul 12 2016 | MANDATE ISSUED |
| Jul 12 2016 | JUDGMENT ISSUED |
| Jul 28 2016 | Record from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has been returned. |
