October Term 2015 · Docket 15-6092
Does a single-statute burglary conviction require proof of specific elements?
The dispute centers on whether federal courts must verify specific statutory elements when a state law defines one crime with multiple methods.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Fleming argued the Iowa statute defines one crime without requiring proof of generic burglary.
Saharsky argued adopting a means-elements distinction would disrupt uniform federal law administration.
Fleming cited Taylor and Moncrieffe to support focusing on statutory elements rather than specific facts.
Saharsky contended the Court previously used elements to mean the full statutory definition of the crime.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 38-6 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 38-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-40
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests how federal courts apply state burglary convictions. The core issue is whether the modified categorical approach applies to statutes that list alternative ways to commit a single crime.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 26, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-46
What each side wants
Mathis wants the Court to reject the modified categorical approach for single-statute crimes.
The government wants the Court to allow courts to examine specific statutory elements.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
What each side says
Mathis argues the categorical approach relies solely on statutory elements, not specific facts.
The government argues courts must verify which specific statutory alternative applies to the conviction.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked if prosecutors must prove the specific structure definition applies.
Justice Ginsburg asked why courts cannot simply look at the specific charge filed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 38-6 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 38-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-40
Why it matters
This dispute determines how federal courts interpret state criminal records. It affects sentencing enhancements for thousands of defendants. It shapes the uniform application of federal sentencing laws.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
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 48-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 38-6 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 38-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-40
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 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 26-14 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 26-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 36-20 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 36-20
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.