No. 19-7322October Term 2019Decided Apr 27, 2020Updated Sep 3, 2026
Sanchez-Miranda v. United States
The Court declined review, so it did not answer the question about reckless conduct under § 924(c)(3)(A).
Case status
Decided · April 27, 2020
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 27, 2020
- What it's about
The Supreme Court denied Sanchez-Miranda’s petition for review, leaving the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in favor of the United States in place. The Court therefore did not issue a merits decision on whether a crime that can be committed recklessly qualifies as a “crime of violence” under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).
Question presented
Whether the “use of physical force” clause in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(A) encompasses offenses that can be committed with a mens rea of recklessness?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Apr 27, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Decision
What the Court decided
The Court declined review, so it did not answer the question about reckless conduct under § 924(c)(3)(A).
Impact
The question can affect federal defendants whose cases involve 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). For example, it could affect whether an offense involving reckless conduct qualifies under that law's force requirement.
Not official Court text.
Briefing
What it's about
The Court declined to review Sanchez-Miranda's case on April 27, 2020, and did not decide the merits. The case asked whether a federal law's “use of physical force” requirement covers offenses committed recklessly.
Impact
The question can affect federal defendants whose cases involve 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). For example, it could affect whether an offense involving reckless conduct qualifies under that law's force requirement.
What's next
The Court has finished this docket action. The Fifth Circuit's result remains in place.
What did the Supreme Court do in Sanchez-Miranda v. United States?
The Court declined to review the case and did not decide whether reckless conduct meets § 924(c)(3)(A)'s force requirement.
Who is affected by Sanchez-Miranda?
Federal defendants whose cases involve § 924(c) may be affected, especially when the underlying offense involved reckless conduct.
When is the next Supreme Court step in Sanchez-Miranda?
There is no further Supreme Court step in this docket action because the Court has finished the case.
Timing
Decided April 27, 2020
The Court released its decision on April 27, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Sep 3, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Jan 16, 2020 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology