This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
According to Lisa Call, Esq., on behalf of the Petitioner, Curtis Darnell Johnson was convicted of battery in Florida.
According to Lisa Call, Esq., on behalf of the Petitioner, the case asks whether that conviction counts as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which defines a violent felony as one involving the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force.
Background and question before the Court
What each side argues
Petitioner (Curtis Darnell Johnson)
According to Lisa Call, Esq., on behalf of the Petitioner, petitioner argues that battery, which requires only contact, does not involve the physical force required by the ACCA’s violent‑felony definition.
Petitioner warns that treating such conduct as a violent felony would create inconsistent application of federal domestic‑violence laws, as seen in United States v. Hayes.
Government
Source-limited. The record does not yet support a complete account.
What happened at oral argument
According to Chief Justice Roberts, chief Justice Roberts called the case for argument.
Justice Scalia also asked whether “violent felony” could be satisfied by a mere threat rather than an act.
According to Justice Stevens, justice Stevens inquired about other crimes that become felonies on a second conviction after a first misdemeanor.
Justice Sotomayor asked whether the petitioner waived an argument by not raising it earlier.
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- 155578fa52747c9e2c66-r1-ba0c55e51848a460.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 23, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.