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Mathis v. United States

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Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-6092 8th Cir. Apr 26, 2016 Jun 23, 2016 5-3 Kagan OT 2015

Holding: The Armed Career Criminal Act imposes a fifteen-year mandatory minimum sentence on a defendant convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm who also has three prior state or federal convictions “for a violent felony,” including “burglary, arson, or extortion.” Because the elements of Iowa’s burglary law – which applies to “any building, structure, [or] land, water, or air vehicle” – is broader than those of generic “burglary” – which requires unlawful entry into a “building or other structure” – prior convictions under the Iowa burglary law cannot give rise to a sentence enhancement under the ACCA.

Judgment: Reversed, 5-3, in an opinion by Justice Kagan on June 23, 2016. Justice Kennedy and Justice Thomas filed concurring opinions. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Ginsburg joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Sep 15 2015Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 19, 2015)
Oct 14 2015Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 18, 2015.
Nov 16 2015Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including December 18, 2015.
Dec 17 2015Brief of respondent United States filed.
Dec 30 2015Supplemental brief of respondent United States filed.
Dec 31 2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016.
Jan 19 2016Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED.
Feb 22 2016Brief of petitioner Richard Mathis filed.
Feb 22 2016Joint appendix filed.
Feb 29 2016Brief amici curiae of National Association of Federal Defenders, et al. filed.
Feb 29 2016Brief amici curiae of American Immigration Lawyers Association, et al. filed.
Mar 4 2016SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Mar 14 2016Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit.
Mar 15 2016CIRCULATED.
Mar 23 2016Record received from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit. (1 Box)
Mar 23 2016Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)
Mar 29 2016Brief amicus curiae of Immigration Reform Law Institute filed. (Distributed)
Apr 15 2016Reply of petitioner Richard Mathis filed. (Distributed)
Apr 26 2016Argued. For petitioner: Mark C. Fleming, Boston, Mass. For respondent: Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Jun 23 2016Judgment REVERSED. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Thomas, and Sotomayor, JJ., joined. Kennedy, J., and Thomas, J., filed concurring opinions. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Ginsburg, J., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion.
Jul 25 2016JUDGMENT ISSUED
Aug 18 2016Record from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit has been returned.