Puerto Rico v. Sanchez Valle
| Docket No. | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-108 | Jan 13, 2016 | Sep 6, 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 September 6, 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 |
|---|---|
| 06/05/2015 | 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. |
| 06/05/2015 | Application (14A1236) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until July 20, 2015. |
| 07/17/2015 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 24, 2015) |
| 08/24/2015 | Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, et al. in opposition filed. |
| 09/08/2015 | Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. |
| 09/09/2015 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 28, 2015. |
| 10/01/2015 | Petition GRANTED. |
| 10/19/2015 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the petitioner. |
| 10/20/2015 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the respondents. |
| 11/16/2015 | Joint appendix filed. (Corrected Joint Appendix filed and distributed on 1/31/16.) (Statement of costs filed) |
| 11/16/2015 | Brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. |
| 11/24/2015 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 |
| 12/04/2015 | Record requested from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. |
| 12/15/2015 | CIRCULATED. |
| 12/15/2015 | Record received from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. 1 Box. |
| 12/16/2015 | Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, and James Gomez Vazquez filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/22/2015 | Brief amici curiae of Professors Christina Duffy Ponsa and Sam Erman filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/22/2015 | Brief amicus curiae of Virgin Islands Bar Association filed. |
| 12/23/2015 | Brief amici curiae of Current and Former Senior Puerto Rico Officials filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2015 | Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2015 | Brief amici curiae of Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico, and The Puerto Rican Bar Association filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2015 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed. |
| 12/23/2015 | Brief amicus curiae of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Miami Chapter filed. (Distributed) |
| 01/05/2016 | Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed) |
| 01/08/2016 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. |
| 01/08/2016 | 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. |
| 01/11/2016 | Supplemental brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed) |
| 01/12/2016 | Letter from counsel for the respondent received. |
| 01/13/2016 | 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). |
| 06/09/2016 | 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. |
| 07/12/2016 | MANDATE ISSUED |
| 07/12/2016 | JUDGMENT ISSUED |
| 07/28/2016 | Record from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has been returned. |