No. 25-6479

Leontis Cornelius v. United States

Lower Court: Seventh Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-05
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: criminal-recklessness felon-in-possession jury-trial self-defense sentencing-enhancement sixth-amendment
Latest Conference: 2026-02-20
Question Presented (from Petition)

1.When the government seeks to aggravate the sentence of a felon in
possession of a firearm (18 USC § 922 [g]) contending that he
violated a State criminal stature (Criminal Recklessness Ind. Code
§35-42-2-2[b]), does the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution
entitle him to a jury trial on the elements of criminal recklessness
and self defense (Ind Code 35-41-2-2[c])?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

When the government seeks to aggravate the sentence of a felon in possession of a firearm (18 USC § 922 [g]) contending that he violated a State criminal stature (Criminal Recklessness Ind. Code §35-42-2-2[b]), does the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution entitle him to a jury trial on the elements of criminal recklessness and self defense (Ind Code 35-41-2-2[c])?

Docket Entries

2026-01-15
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-01-13
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
Main Document
2025-12-29
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due February 4, 2026)
Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma PauperisPetitionAppendixAppendixAppendixAppendixProof of Service

Attorneys

Leontis Cornelius
William J Stevens — William J Stevens, Petitioner
United States
D. John Sauer — Solicitor General, Respondent