Mandatory minimum sentences
Allen Ryan Alleyne v. United States
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the Fourth Circuit’s judgment and sent Alleyne’s case back for further proceedings.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 5-4 · June 17, 2013 · Opinion by Justice Breyer
- What it’s about
- Allen Alleyne challenged a mandatory minimum sentence that depended on a fact found by the judge, raising whether the jury had to find that fact instead.
- Who it affects
- Alleyne’s case returns to the Fourth Circuit, but the order does not determine his final sentence.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court wiped out the Fourth Circuit’s judgment and sent the case back to the lower court (vacated and remanded).
The dispute asked whether a jury, rather than a judge, had to find a fact that increased the minimum sentence.
Question presented
1. Did the district court find enough evidence to convict Alleyne for armed robbery? 2. Did convicting Alleyne of aiding and abetting the robbery change the original indictment? 3. Should the court have imposed a minimum sentence for possession of a firearm in relation to a robbery?
What the Court decided
Holding
The judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded. 348, vacated and remanded.
- Result
- Vacated
The vote
- Joined the judgment
- Dissented
- Wrote an opinion
- Majority · 5joined the Court's opinion
From the opinions
“And because it does not affect the jury’s role, it does not violate the jury trial guarantee of the Sixth Amendment.”
What's next
The case returns to the Fourth Circuit for further proceedings. The Supreme Court’s order does not specify what result that court should reach.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - Alleyne
Opinion added: Alleyne
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.