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Fischer v. United States

Docket No.23-5572
Op. BelowD.C. Cir.
ArgumentApr 16, 2024

Holding

To prove a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), a provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the government must establish that the defendant impaired the availability or integrity for use in an official proceeding of records, documents, objects, or other things used in an official proceeding, or attempted to do so.

Judgment

Vacated and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by John Roberts on Jun 28, 2024. Justice Jackson filed a concurring opinion. Justice Barrett filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Sotomayor and Kagan joined.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Aug 9, 2023
Application (23A136) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from August 21, 2023 to October 5, 2023, submitted to The Chief Justice.
Aug 15, 2023
Application (23A136) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until October 5, 2023.
Sep 11, 2023
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 13, 2023)
Oct 3, 2023
Motion to extend the time to file a response from October 13, 2023 to November 13, 2023, submitted to The Clerk.
Oct 4, 2023
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including November 13, 2023.
Oct 13, 2023
Brief amici curiae of America's Future, et al. filed
Oct 30, 2023
Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed. VIDED.
Nov 13, 2023
Reply of petitioner Joseph Fischer filed. (Distributed)
Nov 14, 2023
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/1/2023.
Dec 1, 2023
Rescheduled.
Dec 1, 2023
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/8/2023.
Dec 13, 2023
Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED.
Jan 29, 2024
Brief of petitioner Joseph Fischer filed.
Jan 29, 2024
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Jan 29, 2024
Brief amicus curiae of FormerFedsGroup Freedom Foundation, et al. filed.
Feb 2, 2024
Brief amicus curiae of LONANG Institute filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law and Justice in support of neither party filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amici curiae of Law-Linguistics Research Team Clark D. Cunningham and Ute Romer-Barron in support of neither party filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amici curiae of U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, et al. filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amicus curiae of Liberty Counsel Action, Inc. filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amici curiae of America's Future, et al. filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amicus curiae of Citizens Concerned for the Constitutional Rights of Defendants filed.
Feb 5, 2024
Brief amici curiae of Christopher Warnagiris, et al. filed.
Feb 16, 2024
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Feb 21, 2024
Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Feb 21, 2024
Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
Feb 28, 2024
Brief of respondent United States filed.
Mar 6, 2024
Brief amici curiae of John Danforth, et al. filed.
Mar 6, 2024
Brief amici curiae of Former Government Officials, et al. filed.
Mar 20, 2024
CIRCULATED
Mar 28, 2024
Reply of petitioner Joseph Fischer filed. (Distributed)
Apr 16, 2024
Argued. For petitioner: Jeffrey T. Green, Bethesda, Md. For respondent: Elizabeth B. Prelogar, Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Jun 28, 2024
Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Roberts, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Jackson, JJ., joined. Jackson, J., filed a concurring opinion. Barrett, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor and Kagan, JJ., joined.
Jul 30, 2024
Judgment Issued.

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