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Class v. United States

Docket No.16-424
Op. BelowD.C. Cir.
ArgumentOct 4, 2017

Holding

A guilty plea, by itself, does not bar a federal criminal defendant from challenging the constitutionality of the statute of conviction on direct appeal.

Judgment

Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Stephen G. Breyer on Feb 21, 2018. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Kennedy and Thomas joined.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Sep 30, 2016
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 31, 2016)
Oct 27, 2016
Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 30, 2016.
Nov 16, 2016
Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including December 20, 2016.
Dec 20, 2016
Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.
Jan 3, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 19, 2017.
Jan 3, 2017
Reply of petitioner Rodney Class filed. (Distributed)
Feb 6, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 17, 2017.
Feb 21, 2017
Petition GRANTED.
Mar 15, 2017
The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits is extended to and including May 12, 2017.
Mar 15, 2017
The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including July 17, 2017.
May 12, 2017
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs received.)
May 12, 2017
Brief of petitioner Rodney Class filed.
May 12, 2017
Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party from counsel for the petitioner.
May 19, 2017
Brief amici curiae of The National Association of Criminal Lawyers, et al. filed.
May 19, 2017
Brief amicus curiae of Albert W. Alschuler filed.
May 19, 2017
Brief amicus curiae of The Innocence Project filed.
Jul 17, 2017
Brief of respondent United States filed.
Jul 19, 2017
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.
Aug 1, 2017
Record requested from the U.S.C.A. District of Columbia Circuit.
Aug 9, 2017
CIRCULATED
Aug 16, 2017
Reply of petitioner Rodney Class filed. (Distributed)
Oct 4, 2017
Argued. For petitioner: Jessica R. Amunson, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Eric J. Feigin, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Feb 21, 2018
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Ginsburg, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Gorsuch, JJ., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Kennedy and Thomas, JJ., joined.
Mar 26, 2018
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

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