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Mathis v. United States

Docket No.15-6092
Op. Below8th Cir.
ArgumentApr 26, 2016
Vote5-3
AuthorElena Kagan
OpinionJun 23, 2016
TermOctober Term 2015
SCOTUS PageOpinion

Holding

The Armed Career Criminal Act imposes a fifteen-year mandatory minimum sentence on a defendant convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm who also has three prior state or federal convictions "for a violent felony," including "burglary, arson, or extortion." Because the elements of Iowa"s burglary law " which applies to "any building, structure, [or] land, water, or air vehicle" " is broader than those of generic "burglary" " which requires unlawful entry into a "building or other structure" " prior convictions under the Iowa burglary law cannot give rise to a sentence enhancement under the ACCA.

Judgment

Reversed, 5-3, in an opinion by Elena Kagan on Jun 23, 2016. Justice Kennedy and Justice Thomas filed concurring opinions. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Ginsburg joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Sep 15, 2015
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 19, 2015)
Oct 14, 2015
Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 18, 2015.
Nov 16, 2015
Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including December 18, 2015.
Dec 17, 2015
Brief of respondent United States filed.
Dec 30, 2015
Supplemental brief of respondent United States filed.
Dec 31, 2015
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016.
Jan 19, 2016
Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED.
Feb 22, 2016
Brief of petitioner Richard Mathis filed.
Feb 22, 2016
Joint appendix filed.
Feb 29, 2016
Brief amici curiae of National Association of Federal Defenders, et al. filed.
Feb 29, 2016
Brief amici curiae of American Immigration Lawyers Association, et al. filed.
Mar 4, 2016
SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Mar 14, 2016
Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit.
Mar 15, 2016
CIRCULATED.
Mar 23, 2016
Record received from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit. (1 Box)
Mar 23, 2016
Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)Mar 29, 2016
Brief amicus curiae of Immigration Reform Law Institute filed. (Distributed)Apr 15, 2016
Reply of petitioner Richard Mathis filed. (Distributed)
Apr 26, 2016
Argued. For petitioner: Mark C. Fleming, Boston, Mass. For respondent: Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Jun 23, 2016
Judgment REVERSED. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Thomas, and Sotomayor, JJ., joined. Kennedy, J., and Thomas, J., filed concurring opinions. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Ginsburg, J., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion.
Jul 25, 2016
JUDGMENT ISSUED
Aug 18, 2016
Record from U.S.C.A. 8th Circuit has been returned.

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