McNeill v. United States

McNeill v. United States
Supreme Court of the United States
Argued April 25, 2011
Decided June 6, 2011
Full case nameClifton Terelle McNeill, Petitioner v. United States
Docket no.10-5258
Citations563 U.S. 816 (more)
131 S. Ct. 2218; 180 L. Ed. 2d 35
ArgumentOral argument
Opinion announcementOpinion announcement
Holding
When determining whether an offense under State law is a serious drug offense, federal sentencing courts must consult the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense at the time of conviction.
Court membership
Chief Justice
John Roberts
Associate Justices
Antonin Scalia · Anthony Kennedy
Clarence Thomas · Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Stephen Breyer · Samuel Alito
Sonia Sotomayor · Elena Kagan
Case opinion
MajorityThomas, joined by unanimous

McNeill v. United States, 563 U.S. 816 (2011), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States holding that, regarding whether an offense under State law is a serious drug offense for purposes of federal sentencing, courts must consult the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense at the time of conviction.[1]

  1. ^ "A federal sentencing court must determine whether 'an offense under State law' is a 'serious drug offense' by consulting the 'maximum term of imprisonment' applicable to a defendant's prior state drug offense at the time of the defendant's conviction for that offense."p. 1