McNeill v. United States

McNeill v. United States, 563 U.S. 816 (2011), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States holding that, regarding whether an offense under State law is a serious drug offense for purposes of federal sentencing, courts must consult the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense at the time of conviction.[1]

McNeill v. United States
Supreme Court of the United States
Argued April 25, 2011
Decided June 6, 2011
Full case nameClifton Terelle McNeill, Petitioner v. United States
Docket no.10-5258
Citations563 U.S. 816 (more)
131 S. Ct. 2218; 180 L. Ed. 2d 35
ArgumentOral argument
Opinion announcementOpinion announcement
Holding
When determining whether an offense under State law is a serious drug offense, federal sentencing courts must consult the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense at the time of conviction.
Court membership
Chief Justice
John Roberts
Associate Justices
Antonin Scalia · Anthony Kennedy
Clarence Thomas · Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Stephen Breyer · Samuel Alito
Sonia Sotomayor · Elena Kagan
Case opinion
MajorityThomas, joined by unanimous

Background

The plaintiff, Clifton Terelle McNeil, was sentenced to 300 months in jail after being convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm. He was also sentenced to an additional 240 months in prison for unlawful possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. A US District court determined McNeil was an "armed career criminal" and therefore sought the highest sentence possible for his crimes. McNeil argued that he was not eligible for maximum sentencing because his drug related charges were not "serious drug offenses under the ACCA."[2]

Question before the Court

Can the federal Armed Career Criminal Act be used in conduction with a state law for the purposes of a longer sentence?[2]

Decision of the Supreme Court

In a unanimous decision in favor of the United States, Justice Thomas wrote the opinion for the Court. Thomas noted that, "A federal sentencing court must determine whether 'an offense under State law' is a 'serious drug offense' by consulting the 'maximum term of imprisonment' applicable to a defendant's prior state drug offense at the time of the defendant's conviction for that offense."[2]

See also

Notes
  1. "A federal sentencing court must determine whether 'an offense under State law' is a 'serious drug offense' by consulting the 'maximum term of imprisonment' applicable to a defendant's prior state drug offense at the time of the defendant's conviction for that offense."p. 1
  2. "McNeill v. United States". Oyez: Chicago-Kent College of Law. Retrieved January 17, 2014.

References
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