No. 19-7931October Term 2019Decided Apr 20, 2020
Lopez v. United States
The Supreme Court did not review Lopez's case, so it did not resolve the sentencing-guidelines question and left the Fifth Circuit's result in place.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 20, 2020
- What it's about
A petition for a writ of certiorari has been filed in this case arising from the Fifth Circuit, along with a request to proceed without paying court fees.
Question presented
Whether a prior conviction for a state drug offense is a “controlled substance offense” under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, when the state statute is broader than the federal definition of a controlled substance?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Apr 20, 2020
- Area
Criminal Procedure
Briefing
What it's about
Lopez asked the Supreme Court to review whether a state drug conviction counts under the federal sentencing guidelines when the state law covers more substances than federal law. The Court did not take up the case, leaving the Fifth Circuit's result in place without answering that question.
Impact
The issue matters for people facing federal sentencing after earlier state drug convictions. For example, whether a prior state conviction fits the federal guideline can affect the recommended sentencing range.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. The Fifth Circuit's result remains in place, and the broader issue would need another case for Supreme Court review.
What was the dispute in Lopez v. United States?
Lopez asked whether a state drug conviction counts under federal sentencing guidelines when the state law covers more substances than federal law.
Who could be affected by Lopez v. United States?
Federal defendants with earlier state drug convictions could be affected, because the answer can change the recommended sentencing range.
What happens next after Lopez v. United States?
The Supreme Court docket is over. The Fifth Circuit's result stays in place, and the issue would need another case for Supreme Court review.
Decision
What the Court decided
The Supreme Court did not review Lopez's case, so it did not resolve the sentencing-guidelines question and left the Fifth Circuit's result in place.
Impact
The issue matters for people facing federal sentencing after earlier state drug convictions. For example, whether a prior state conviction fits the federal guideline can affect the recommended sentencing range.
Not official Court text.
Timing
Decided April 20, 2020
The Court released its decision on April 20, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
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
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology