DePierre v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-1533 | 1st Cir. | Feb 28, 2011 | 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.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Court refuses to limit heightened sentences for 'cocaine base' to crack cocaine (James Bickford, June 13, 2011)
- Thursday's opinions in Plain English (Lisa Tucker, June 12, 2011)
- Argument recap: What to do about coca paste? (James Bickford, March 3, 2011)
- Argument preview: What is "cocaine base"? (James Bickford, February 25, 2011)
- Court to rule on child interviews (Lyle Denniston, October 12, 2010)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Frantz DePierre
- Brief for Respondent United States of America
- Reply Brief of Petitioner
Amicus Briefs
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (1st Circuit)