No. 19-7410October Term 2019Decided Apr 27, 2020Updated Sep 5, 2026
Mora-Galindo v. United States
Mora-Galindo’s conviction remains in effect after the Court affirmed it.
Case status
Decided · April 27, 2020
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 27, 2020
- What it's about
The Court affirmed Mora-Galindo’s conviction, leaving it in place. The case concerned whether courts must apply the “realistic probability” test in using the categorical approach when a state criminal statute is facially broader than the relevant federal definition.
Question presented
Whether the “realistic probability” test, as articulated in Gonzales v. Duenas-Alvarez, 549 U.S. 183 (2007), applies to the “categorical approach” when the state statute of conviction is broader than the federal definition on its face?
- 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
Mora-Galindo’s conviction remains in effect after the Court affirmed it.
- Result
- Affirmed
Impact
The outcome leaves Mora-Galindo’s conviction in place. It also matters to people facing federal consequences tied to earlier state convictions, including defendants charged with illegal reentry.
Not official Court text.
Briefing
What it's about
The Court affirmed Victor Mora-Galindo’s conviction, leaving it in place. The case concerned whether the “realistic probability” test applies when a state criminal law is broader on its face than a federal definition.
Impact
The outcome leaves Mora-Galindo’s conviction in place. It also matters to people facing federal consequences tied to earlier state convictions, including defendants charged with illegal reentry.
What's next
The Court has finished this docket action. The practical result is that Mora-Galindo’s conviction remains in place.
What did the Supreme Court rule in Mora-Galindo v. United States?
The Court affirmed Mora-Galindo’s conviction. The conviction therefore remains in place.
Who is affected by the Mora-Galindo decision?
Mora-Galindo is directly affected because his conviction stands. The case also concerns defendants facing federal consequences tied to state criminal convictions.
What happens next after Mora-Galindo v. United States?
The Court has finished its action in the case. Mora-Galindo’s conviction remains in effect.
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 5, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Jan 21, 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 5, 2026
- Method
- Methodology