Mathis v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-6092 | 8th Cir. | Apr 26, 2016 | Jun 23, 2016 | 5-3 | Kagan | OT 2015 |
Holding: The Armed Career Criminal Act imposes a fifteen-year mandatory minimum sentence on a defendant convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm who also has three prior state or federal convictions “for a violent felony,” including “burglary, arson, or extortion.” Because the elements of Iowa’s burglary law – which applies to “any building, structure, [or] land, water, or air vehicle” – is broader than those of generic “burglary” – which requires unlawful entry into a “building or other structure” – prior convictions under the Iowa burglary law cannot give rise to a sentence enhancement under the ACCA.
Judgment: Reversed, 5-3, in an opinion by Justice Kagan on June 23, 2016. Justice Kennedy and Justice Thomas filed concurring opinions. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Ginsburg joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Victory for the “categorical approach” in immigration and federal criminal sentencing – but for how long? (Evan Lee, June 24, 2016)
- Argument analysis: The Justices continue to struggle with the “modified categorical approach” (Evan Lee, April 27, 2016)
- Argument preview: Growing pains in the mass incarceration and deportation movements (Evan Lee, April 19, 2016)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Sep 15 2015 | Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 19, 2015) |
| Oct 14 2015 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 18, 2015. |
| Nov 16 2015 | Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including December 18, 2015. |
| Dec 17 2015 | Brief of respondent United States filed. |
| Dec 30 2015 | Supplemental brief of respondent United States filed. |
| Dec 31 2015 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016. |
| Jan 19 2016 | Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED. |
| Feb 22 2016 | Brief of petitioner Richard Mathis filed. |
| Feb 22 2016 | Joint appendix filed. |
| Feb 29 2016 | Brief amici curiae of National Association of Federal Defenders, et al. filed. |
| Feb 29 2016 | Brief amici curiae of American Immigration Lawyers Association, et al. filed. |
| Mar 4 2016 | SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, April 26, 2016 |
| Mar 14 2016 | Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit. |
| Mar 15 2016 | CIRCULATED. |
| Mar 23 2016 | Record received from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit. (1 Box) |
| Mar 23 2016 | Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 29 2016 | Brief amicus curiae of Immigration Reform Law Institute filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 15 2016 | Reply of petitioner Richard Mathis filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 26 2016 | Argued. For petitioner: Mark C. Fleming, Boston, Mass. For respondent: Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. |
| Jun 23 2016 | Judgment REVERSED. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Thomas, and Sotomayor, JJ., joined. Kennedy, J., and Thomas, J., filed concurring opinions. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Ginsburg, J., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion. |
| Jul 25 2016 | JUDGMENT ISSUED |
| Aug 18 2016 | Record from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit has been returned. |
