Chavez-Meza v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17-5639 | 10th Cir. | Apr 23, 2018 | Jun 18, 2018 | 5-3 | Breyer | OT 2017 |
Holding: Because the record in this case demonstrates that the judge had a reasoned basis for his decision, the judge’s explanation for reducing, under 18 U. S. C. §3582(c)(2), Adaucto Chavez-Meza’s sentence to the middle rather than the bottom of the amended Federal Guidelines range was adequate.
Judgment: Affirmed, 5-3, in an opinion by Justice Breyer on June 18, 2018. Justice Kennedy filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Sotomayor and Kagan joined. Justice Gorsuch took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Form order certifying that judge considered appropriate factors was sufficient to explain sentencing modification (Susan Klein, June 19, 2018)
- A "view" from the courtroom: Down to the last few matches (Mark Walsh, June 18, 2018)
- Argument analysis: "Asking for crumbs" in judges’ explanations of sentencing modifications (Corrected) (Susan Klein, April 24, 2018)
- A "view" from the courtroom: Rod Rosenstein’s brief respite from a rough-and-tumble world (Mark Walsh, April 23, 2018)
- Argument preview: How fully must a court explain a sentencing modification? (Susan Klein, April 16, 2018)
- Court bulks up this term’s docket (UPDATED) (Amy Howe, January 12, 2018)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Jul 01 2017 | Application (17A45) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from July 13, 2017 to August 14, 2017, submitted to Justice Sotomayor. |
| Jul 10 2017 | Application (17A45) granted by Justice Sotomayor extending the time to file until August 14, 2017. |
| Aug 14 2017 | Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 18, 2017) |
| Sep 15 2017 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including October 18, 2017. |
| Sep 26 2017 | Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including November 17, 2017. |
| Nov 17 2017 | Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed. |
| Dec 01 2017 | Reply of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed. |
| Dec 07 2017 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2018. |
| Jan 08 2018 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2018. |
| Jan 12 2018 | Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED. Justice Gorsuch took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. |
| Jan 16 2018 | Motion to appoint counsel filed by petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza. |
| Feb 14 2018 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/2/2018. |
| Feb 23 2018 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 23, 2018. |
| Feb 26 2018 | Brief of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed (to be corrected and reprinted). |
| Feb 26 2018 | Motion for leave to file Volume II of the joint appendix under seal filed by petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza. |
| Feb 26 2018 | Joint appendix (Volume 1) filed. |
| Feb 26 2018 | Brief of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed (Corrected brief received 3/26/18). (Distributed) |
| Feb 27 2018 | Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Adaucto Chavez-Meza |
| Mar 05 2018 | Motion to appoint counsel filed by petitioner GRANTED, and Todd A. Coberly, Esquire, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is appointed to serve as counsel for the petitioner in this case. Justice Gorsuch took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion. |
| Mar 05 2018 | Brief amicus curiae of Center on the Administration of Criminal Law filed. |
| Mar 05 2018 | Brief amici curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and National Association of Federal Defenders filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 07 2018 | CIRCULATED |
| Mar 07 2018 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/23/2018. |
| Mar 26 2018 | Motion for leave to file Volume II of the joint appendix under seal GRANTED. Justice Gorsuch took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion. |
| Mar 28 2018 | Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 30 2018 | Record requested from the U.S.C.A.10th Circuit. |
| Apr 03 2018 | Record received from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit. (1 Envelope) |
| Apr 13 2018 | Reply of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 23 2018 | Argued. For petitioner: Todd A. Coberly, Santa Fe, N. M. (Appointed by this Court.) For respondent: Rod J. Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. |
| Jun 18 2018 | Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Ginsburg, and Alito, JJ., joined. Kennedy, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor and Kagan, JJ., joined. Gorsuch, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. |
| Jul 20 2018 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
| Aug 29 2018 | The record from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit has been returned. |
