October Term 2006 · Docket 05-9264
Does attempted burglary count as a violent felony?
The dispute centers on whether a Florida attempted burglary conviction qualifies as a violent felony under federal law.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Crawford argued that the Eleventh Circuit misinterpreted the statute's otherwise clause.
Mr. Marcus argued that the side that brought the case's conviction fits the violent felony definition.
Justice Scalia noted that climbing a ladder is only one manner of attempt.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if Florida law treats curtilage entry as completed burglary.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-31
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the scope of the Armed Career Criminal Act. The statute enhances sentences for repeat offenders with violent felony records. The core issue is whether attempted burglary fits the statute's definition of a violent crime.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 7, 2006.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
James wants the court to rule that attempted burglary is not a violent felony.
The government wants the court to rule that attempted burglary is a violent felony.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What each side says
James argues that attempted burglary lacks the serious risk of physical injury required by the statute.
The government argues that attempted burglary categorically involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of injury.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What the justices asked
Justice Souter asked if climbing a ladder constitutes a substantial step toward burglary.
Justice Alito asked if attempted generic burglary presents a serious risk of physical injury.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-31
Why it matters
The outcome determines how federal courts classify state attempted burglary convictions. This classification directly impacts sentencing enhancements for repeat offenders. The ruling defines the boundary of violent felony status under federal law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-31
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.