No. 18-6665

Maurice T. Smith v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2018-11-14
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: categorical-analysis categorical-approach criminal-law drug-offenses drug-trafficking due-process felony-drug-offense recidivism recidivist-enhancement statutory-interpretation vagueness vagueness-doctrine
Latest Conference: 2019-01-04
Question Presented (from Petition)

1). Whether it was the intent of congress to restrict the application of § 841 recidivist enhancement to previous drug trafficking crimes which are testament to "felony drug offense" under federal law. i.e., was it the intent of congress when it used the term "felony drug offense" to instruct that a previous crime must be the equivalent of "felony drug offense" under federal law to support the recidivist enchantment of 21 U.S.0 § 841.

Whether defendants charged under 21 U.S.0 § 841 entitled to the due process protection of having their prior offenses subjected to the elements versus elements categorical analysis of Taylor Infra to determine if they are "felony drug offense" as defined under federal law.

Whether 21 U.S.0 § 802(44) standing alone is unconstitutionally vague. i.e., does it provide sufficient notice and information to complete a proper categorical analysis and does it convey the true elements of a "felony drug offense" under federal law.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the intent of Congress was to restrict the application of 21 U.S.C. § 841's recidivist enhancement to prior drug trafficking crimes that qualify as 'felony drug offenses' under federal law

Docket Entries

2019-01-07
Petition DENIED.
2018-11-29
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/4/2019.
2018-11-20
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2018-10-23
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 14, 2018)

Attorneys

Maurice T. Smith
Maurice T. Smith — Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent