October Term 2023 · Docket 23-370
Can judges decide if prior crimes count as separate offenses?
the sides that brought the case argue judges must only verify prior convictions. The government argues judges must decide if those crimes were separate.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Jeffrey Fisher argued that precedent dictates the outcome here.
He stated that judges may only find what crime a defendant committed.
He emphasized that judges cannot find anything more than the elements.
The government advocate argued that the statute requires a recidivism determination. He claimed this legislative choice is consistent with the Constitution. He noted that judges must find the separateness of prior offenses.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of judicial power under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The dispute centers on whether judges can make factual findings about the nature of prior crimes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 27, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 31-35
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to limit judges to verifying prior convictions.
The government wants the Court to allow judges to decide if prior crimes were separate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue precedent limits judges to finding only the elements of prior convictions.
The government argues the statute requires judges to make recidivism determinations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
What the justices asked
Justice Kavanaugh asked if historical practice supports a constitutional requirement.
Justice Alito asked if the Court should hint at a specific standard.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-13
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between judicial and jury roles in sentencing. It determines how courts handle prior criminal records. The outcome shapes the balance of power in criminal trials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
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 10, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-13
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 102, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 102, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.