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Southern Union Company v. United States

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
11-94 1st Cir. Mar 19, 2012
Jun 21, 2012 6-3 Sotomayor OT 2011

Holding: The rule established in Apprendi v. New Jersey – in which the Court held that the Sixth Amendment’s jury-trial guarantee requires that any fact (other than the fact of a prior conviction) which increases the maximum punishment authorized for a particular crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt – applies to the imposition of criminal fines.

Judgment: Reversed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on June 21, 2012. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Kennedy and Alito.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

Certiorari-stage documents