Southern Union Company v. United States
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