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Puerto Rico v. Sanchez Valle

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Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-108 P.R. Jan 13, 2016 Jun 9, 2016 6-2 Kagan OT 2015

Holding: The Double Jeopardy Clause bars Puerto Rico and the United States from successively prosecuting a single person for the same conduct under equivalent criminal laws.

Judgment: Affirmed, 6-2, in an opinion by Justice Kagan on June 9, 2016. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion, in which Justice Thomas joined. Justice Thomas filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Sotomayor joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Jun 5 2015Application (14A1236) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from June 18, 2015 to July 20, 2015, submitted to Justice Breyer.
Jun 5 2015Application (14A1236) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until July 20, 2015.
Jul 17 2015Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 24, 2015)
Aug 24 2015Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, et al. in opposition filed.
Sep 8 2015Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed.
Sep 9 2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 28, 2015.
Oct 1 2015Petition GRANTED.
Oct 19 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the petitioner.
Oct 20 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the respondents.
Nov 16 2015Joint appendix filed. (Corrected Joint Appendix filed and distributed on 1/31/16.) (Statement of costs filed)
Nov 16 2015Brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed.
Nov 24 2015SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Dec 4 2015Record requested from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.
Dec 15 2015CIRCULATED.
Dec 15 2015Record received from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. 1 Box.
Dec 16 2015Brief of respondents Luis M. Sanchez Valle, and James Gomez Vazquez filed. (Distributed)
Dec 22 2015Brief amici curiae of Professors Christina Duffy Ponsa and Sam Erman filed. (Distributed)
Dec 22 2015Brief amicus curiae of Virgin Islands Bar Association filed.
Dec 23 2015Brief amici curiae of Current and Former Senior Puerto Rico Officials filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2015Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2015Brief amici curiae of Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico, and The Puerto Rican Bar Association filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2015Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Dec 23 2015Brief amicus curiae of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Miami Chapter filed. (Distributed)
Jan 5 2016Reply of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed)
Jan 8 2016Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Jan 8 2016Letter from Clerk of Court advising that counsel should be prepared to discuss at oral argument whether this Court has jurisdiction to review the ruling of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico under 28 U.S.C. Sec.1258.
Jan 11 2016Supplemental brief of petitioner Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed. (Distributed)
Jan 12 2016Letter from counsel for the respondent received.
Jan 13 2016Argued. For petitioner: Christopher Landau, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Adam G. Unikowsky, Washington, D. C.; and Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae).
Jun 9 2016Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Ginsburg, and Alito, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Thomas, J., joined. Thomas, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor, J., joined.
Jul 12 2016MANDATE ISSUED
Jul 12 2016JUDGMENT ISSUED
Jul 28 2016Record from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has been returned.