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DePierre v. United States

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
09-1533 1st Cir. Feb 28, 2011
Tr.Aud. 		Jun 9, 2011 9-0 Sotomayor OT 2010
 

Holding: For purposes of a statute establishing mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses involving “cocaine base,” the term “cocaine base” includes all cocaine in its chemically basic form, not just crack cocaine.

Plain English Holding: A federal sentencing statute requiring high mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses involving cocaine base applies to all kinds of cocaine, not just crack cocaine.

Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Sonia Sotomayor on June 9, 2011. Justice Scalia did not join Part III-A of the opinion; he also filed a separate opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment.

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