Santos-Zacaria v. Garland: Noncitizens need not file motion to reconsider with Board of Immigration Appeals

Even though 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1252 states that a noncitizen who seeks to challenge an order of removal in court must first exhaust certain administrative remedies, this requirement is not jurisdictional, and a noncitizen need not request discretionary forms of […]

Cruz v. Arizona: Arizona rule was not “adequate” state grounds to bar federal review of capital defendant’s claim he wasn’t allowed to tell jury he wouldn’t be paroled

An Arizona postconviction rule was not an “adequate” state ground to bar federal review and relief on a claim by a capital defendant that he wasn’t allowed to inform his jury that he would not be eligible for release, the […]

Biden v. Texas: Termination of return-to-Mexico policy did not violate INA; lower courts cannot enter injunctions in certain INA matters, but retain subject matter jurisdiction

The Biden Administration’s repeal of the policy which returned noncitizens who entered the country illegally from Mexico back to Mexico pending removal proceedings did not violate the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 30 in Biden […]

New York State Rifle Assn. v. Bruen: Requiring “special need” to obtain gun license to carry gun outside home violates Second Amendment

Requiring gun license applicants to demonstrate a “special need” to obtain a license to carry a gun outside the home violates the Second Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 23 in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.   […]

Ruan v. U.S.: Doctors must know prescriptions are unauthorized to violate Sec. 841 of Controlled Substances Act

The Government must prove that a doctor knowingly and intentionally prescribed drugs in an unauthorized manner in order to convict under the Controlled Substances Act, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 27 in Ruan v. United States.   Section 841 […]

Concepcion v. U.S.: Courts can consider intervening changes in law and fact under First Step Act

District courts considering motions for sentence reduction under the First Step Act may consider intervening changes of law – such as changes to the Sentencing Guidelines – and of fact – such as behavior in prison, the U.S. Supreme Court […]

Nance v. Ward: Method-of-execution claims should be brought under Sec. 1983, even if alternative method isn’t authorized by state law

A Section 1983 action should be used to bring a method-of-execution claim, even if the petitioner has identified an alternative method of execution not authorized by state law, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 23 in Nance v. Ward.   […]

Vega v. Tekoh: Miranda violations do not support Sec. 1983 actions

Section 1983 actions cannot be brought for violation of Miranda rights, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 23 in Vega v. Tekoh.   Terence Tekoh, who worked as a nursing assistant, was suspected of sexual abusing a patient.   Deputy […]

U.S. v. Taylor: Attempted Hobbs Act robbery not a “crime of violence” under ACCA

Attempted Hobbs Act robbery is not a “crime of violence” under the Armed Career Criminal Act, so cannot enhance sentence, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 21 in United States v. Taylor.   Justin Taylor was involved in a robbery […]

Shoop v. Twyford: Federal courts cannot issue transportation orders for testing unless the evidence from the tests would be legally admissible

District courts cannot issue transportation orders to enable habeas petitioners to obtain medical tests for their case, unless the petitioners first show that the evidence they hope to find will be admissible, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 21 in […]