Reynolds v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-6549 | 3d Cir. |
Oct 3, 2011 Tr.Aud. |
Jan 23, 2012 | 7-2 | Breyer | OT 2011 |
Holding: The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act does not require pre-Act offenders to register before the Attorney General validly specifies that the Act’s registration provisions apply to them.
Plain English Holding: The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act does not, by itself, automatically require sex offenders who were convicted before the Act went into effect to register with police in the areas where they live and work. Instead, those sex offenders are only required to register once the Attorney General of the United States has issued a valid rule requiring them to register.
Judgment: Reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Breyer on January 23, 2012. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Ginsburg.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Recent opinions: In Plain English
- Opinion analysis: An exercise in statutory construction
- The October sitting, week one: In Plain English
- Standing for sex offenders: Oral argument review in Reynolds v. United States
- Argument preview: Standing to challenge sex offender rule
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
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