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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.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Jul 01 2017Application (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 2017Application (17A45) granted by Justice Sotomayor extending the time to file until August 14, 2017.
Aug 14 2017Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 18, 2017)
Sep 15 2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including October 18, 2017.
Sep 26 2017Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including November 17, 2017.
Nov 17 2017Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.
Dec 01 2017Reply of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed.
Dec 07 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2018.
Jan 08 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2018.
Jan 12 2018Motion 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 2018Motion to appoint counsel filed by petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza.
Feb 14 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/2/2018.
Feb 23 2018SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 23, 2018.
Feb 26 2018Brief of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed (to be corrected and reprinted).
Feb 26 2018Motion for leave to file Volume II of the joint appendix under seal filed by petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza.
Feb 26 2018Joint appendix (Volume 1) filed.
Feb 26 2018Brief of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed (Corrected brief received 3/26/18). (Distributed)
Feb 27 2018Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Adaucto Chavez-Meza
Mar 05 2018Motion 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 2018Brief amicus curiae of Center on the Administration of Criminal Law filed.
Mar 05 2018Brief amici curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and National Association of Federal Defenders filed. (Distributed)
Mar 07 2018CIRCULATED
Mar 07 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/23/2018.
Mar 26 2018Motion 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 2018Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)
Mar 30 2018Record requested from the U.S.C.A.10th Circuit.
Apr 03 2018Record received from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit. (1 Envelope)
Apr 13 2018Reply of petitioner Adaucto Chavez-Meza filed. (Distributed)
Apr 23 2018Argued. 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 2018Adjudged 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 2018JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Aug 29 2018The record from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit has been returned.