Hoff v. United States
In brief
The Supreme Court declined to hear Hoff’s case, leaving the Ninth Circuit’s decision in place without deciding the drug-conviction question.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · May 4, 2020
- What it’s about
- The case concerned whether a prior state drug conviction can count as a “serious drug offense” under the Armed Career Criminal Act when the state law covers more substances than federal controlled-substance law.
- Who it affects
- The denial left the Ninth Circuit’s decision in place for Hoff, but the Supreme Court did not give a nationwide answer to whether the conviction qualifies under federal law.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court denied review, leaving the Ninth Circuit’s decision in place without resolving that issue nationwide.
The dispute turned on a mismatch between the broader list of substances in the state law and the federal list of controlled substances.
Question presented
Whether a state drug conviction is a "serious drug offense" under the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(A)(ii), if the state statute is broader than the federal definition of "controlled substance" in 21 U.S.C. § 802?
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. Hoff’s case remains governed by the Ninth Circuit’s decision, with no Supreme Court ruling on the broader legal question.
Documents
Opinions
Key filings
Docket activity
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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.