Reynolds v. United States
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-6549 | 3d Cir. | Oct 3, 2011 | Jan 23, 2012 | 7-2 | Breyer | OT 2011 |
Holding: The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act does not require pre-Act offenders to register before the Attorney General validly specifies that the Act"s registration provi"sions apply to them.
Plain English Holding: The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act does not, by itself, automatically require sex offenders who were convicted before the Act went into effect to register with police in the areas where they live and work. Instead, those sex offenders are only required to register once the Attorney General of the United States has issued a valid rule requiring them to register.
Judgment: Reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Breyer on January 23, 2012. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Ginsburg.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Recent opinions: In Plain English (Amy Howe, February 1, 2012)
- Opinion analysis: An exercise in statutory construction (Steven Schwinn, January 25, 2012)
- The October sitting, week one: In Plain English (Amy Howe, October 12, 2011)
- Standing for sex offenders: Oral argument review in Reynolds v. United States (Steven Schwinn, October 5, 2011)
- Argument preview: Standing to challenge sex offender rule (Steven Schwinn, September 30, 2011)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (3d Circuit)
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief of the United States in Opposition
- Petitioner's reply
- Response to Solicitor General's letter
- Letter from the Solicitor General
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
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