Three significant criminal cases from the Supreme Court this week:
Fair Sentencing Act applies to post-Act sentencing of pre-Act offenders in pipeline cases
The 5-4 decision of Dorsey v. United States, holds the FSA's new mandatory minimums apply to pipeline cases involving sentences for crack cocaine imposed after the Act (August 3, 2010) for pre-Act crimes: "That is the Act's 'plain import' or 'fair implication.'"
The full opinion can be found here.
Apprendi applies to criminal fines
The 6-3 decision of Southern Union Co. v. United States, holds Apprendi v. NJ applies to the imposition of criminal fines.
The full opinion can be found here.
Supreme Court takes a bite out of Crawford
In William v. Illinois, a deeply divided 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court muddied the waters of Crawford, with the narrowest ruling setting forth an unclear distinction between which forensic reports are “formal,” i.e. testimonial, or “informal,” i.e. non-testimonial.
For an in-depth analysis, check out the SCOTUSblog here.
The full 98-page opinion can be found here.
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