Padilla v. Kentucky

Holding that counsel has a duty under the Sixth Amendment to inform a noncitizen defendant that his plea would make him eligible for deportation

Almendarez-Torres v. United States

Holding that the fact of a prior conviction is not an element of an offense even when it increases a defendant's statutory maximum term of imprisonment

Clay v. U.S.

Holding that in the § 2255 context, "a judgment of conviction becomes final when the time expires for filing a petition for certiorari contesting the appellate court’s affirmation of the conviction"

Jones v. United States

Holding that "under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment and the notice and jury trial guarantees of the Sixth Amendment, any fact (other than prior conviction) that increases the maximum penalty for a crime must be charged in an indictment, submitted to a jury, and proven beyond a reasonable doubt"

Carachuri-Rosendo v. Holder

Holding that courts should look to the “conviction itself,” rather than a crime or sentence with which the defendant “could have been” charged or assigned, in determining whether a previous conviction is an aggravated felony under the INA

Russello v. United States

Holding that where "Congress includes particular language in one section of a statute but omits it in another section of the same Act," courts presume that "Congress acts intentionally and purposely in the disparate inclusion or exclusion"

Ali v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons

Holding a Bureau of Prisons guard is a "law enforcement officer" under the Federal Tort Claims Act

Reynolds v. Sims

Holding that "the Equal Protection Clause requires that the seats in both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on a population basis"

Hillsborough County v. Automated Medical Labs

Holding local health ordinance not preempted because "the regulation of health and safety matters is primarily, and historically, a matter of local concern"

Scott v. Illinois

Holding that a criminal defendant has no Sixth Amendment right to counsel when his trial does not result in a sentence of imprisonment

Section 924 - Penalties

Holding that conviction for eluding police, under Maine statute which provides that "[w]hoever, after being requested or signaled to stop, attempts to elude a law enforcement officer by driving a vehicle at a reckless rate of speed which results in a high-speed chase between the operator's vehicle and any law enforcement vehicle using a blue light and siren is guilty" of a felony-level crime, involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)

Section 1101 - Definitions

Finding notice and comment rulemaking is required for the agency's interim rule recognizing fear of coercive family practices as basis for refugee status

Section 1961 - Definitions

Defining what the terms “person” and “enterprise” include

Section 1227 - Deportable aliens

Granting this discretion to the Attorney General

Section 801 - Congressional findings and declarations: controlled substances

Finding that to effectively control interstate traffic in illegal drugs it is necessary to control intrastate possession of and traffic in those substances

Section 851 - Proceedings to establish prior convictions

Describing hearing as applying to resolve "any issues raised by the [defendant's] response which would except the [defendant] from increased punishment"

Section 1229b - Cancellation of removal; adjustment of status

Granting the Attorney General discretion to cancel the removal of an alien who has “been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a ... parent who is ... a United States citizen”

Section 844 - Penalties for simple possession

Providing for "a term of imprisonment of not more than 1 year" for possession offenses except for repeat offenders, persons who possess more than five grams of cocaine base, and persons who possess flunitrazepam

Section 22-3609 - Appeals from municipal courts

Section 12-4104 - Municipal court; jurisdiction; search warrants proscribed

Explaining that municipal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving violations of city ordinances