Reynolds v. United States
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 provisions 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 Stephen G. Breyer on Jan 23, 2012. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Ginsburg.
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Recommended Citation: Reynolds v. United States, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/reynolds-v-united-states/