The broad question presented by this case is whether the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals erroneously denied Mr. Smith a certificate of appeal ability ("COA") on whether he was unconstitutionally sentenced above the statutory maximum for his offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

More specifically, this case presents the following questions:

(1) Can reasonable jurists debate whether a Florida conviction for robbery is a "violent felony" under the elements clause of the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)?

(2) Can reasonable jurists debate whether a Florida conviction for felony battery is a "violent felony" under the ACCA's elements clause, where the statute only requires the causation of great bodily harm rather than a substantial degree of force?

Whether the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals erroneously denied Mr. Smith a certificate of appealability