Federal Judiciary

Today’s Opinions | 1.13.09

By Akin Gump Supreme Court Practice Group

The Court has released the opinion in Chambers v. United States (06-11206), on whether a failure to report to prison is the equivalent of escape for purposes of enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The ruling below, which found for the government, is reversed and remanded. Justice Breyer wrote the majority opinion. Justice Alito filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which Justice Thomas joined. The opinion is available here.

The Court has released the opinion in Jimenez v. Quarterman (07-6984), on whether the reinstatement of an appeal under Texas law restarts the one-year deadline to file a habeas petition under federal law. The ruling below, which found for the state, is reversed and remanded. Justice Thomas wrote the opinion for a unanimous Court. The opinion is available here.

No more opinions will be released today.

Full post as published by SCOTUSBLOG on January 13, 2009 (boomark / email).