Tapia v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-5400 | Ninth Cir. | Apr 18, 2011 | Jun 16, 2011 | 9-0 | Kagan | OT 2010 |
Holding: 18 U.S.C. § 3582(a) does not permit a sentencing court to impose or lengthen a prison term to foster a defendant's rehabilitation.
Judgment: Ninth Circuit reversed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Elena Kagan on June 16, 2011. Justice Sotomayor filed a concurring opinion, which was joined by Justice Alito.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: SRA prohibits rehabilitation through incarceration (Beth Neitzel, June 19, 2011)
- This week at the Court in Plain English (Lisa Tucker, June 17, 2011)
- Argument recap: Promoting rehabilitation through sentencing (Rani Gupta - Guest, April 21, 2011)
- Argument preview: Recognizing rehabilitation in sentencing (Jonathan Greenberger - Guest, April 15, 2011)
- Argument preview: Recognizing rehabilitation in sentencing (Jonathan Greenberger - Guest, April 15, 2011)
- Argument preview: Recognizing rehabilitation in sentencing (Jonathan Greenberger - Guest, April 15, 2011)
- Court grants 3 new cases (Lyle Denniston, December 10, 2010)
Briefs and Documents
Merit briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Alejandra Tapia
- Brief of United States supporting Vacatur
- Brief for Amicus Curiae by Invitation of the Court
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Alejandra Tapia
- Reply Brief for Respondent United States of America
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (Ninth Circuit)
- Brief in opposition
- Petitioner's Reply Brief