No. 20-7235

Michael Alvarez v. United States

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2021-02-24
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Relisted (2)IFP
Tags: circuit-split criminal-law criminal-sentencing due-process federal-criminal-law intent-standard mens-rea predicate-offense sentencing statutory-interpretation
Latest Conference: 2021-06-17 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (from Petition)

The circuit courts agree that a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) will be sustained even if the defendant was not aware that his conduct would be perceived as intimidating by anyone, yet the Ninth Circuit has nevertheless determined that a conviction for violating § 2113(a) can serve as predicate offense for the substantial sentencing enhancements under § 924(c)(1). The question presented is whether reasonable jurists can debate whether a convic tion must necessarily establish that a defendant was more than negligent as to whether his intentional conduct could harm another before said conviction can serve as a predicate under § 924(c)(1) or whether, as the Ninth Circuit's analysis assumes, the limiting language "against the person of another" in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c )(3)(A) is mere surplusage?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) can serve as a predicate offense for the substantial sentencing enhancements under § 924(c)(1)

Docket Entries

2021-06-21
Petition DENIED.
2021-06-14
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/17/2021.
2021-05-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/27/2021.
2021-05-07
Reply of petitioner Michael Alvarez filed.
2021-04-26
Memorandum of respondent United States filed.
2021-03-18
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including April 26, 2021.
2021-03-17
Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 26, 2021 to April 26, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2021-02-16
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 26, 2021)

Attorneys

Michael Alvarez
Peggy SassoOffice of the Federal Defender, Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. PrelogarActing Solicitor General, Respondent