No. 19-8255October Term 2019Decided May 18, 2020
Medina-Rodriguez v. United States
This case involves a criminal defendant challenging their sentence for illegal reentry into the United States based on the requirement that facts increasing a maximum penalty must be proven to a jury.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 18, 2020
- What it's about
This case involves a criminal defendant challenging their sentence for illegal reentry into the United States based on the requirement that facts increasing a maximum penalty must be proven to a jury.
Question presented
Whether the provision in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) that increases the maximum sentence for a previously deported alien based on the existence of a prior felony or aggravated felony conviction is an element of the offense that must be alleged in an indictment and proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released May 18, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided May 18, 2020
The Court released its decision on May 18, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 31, 2026
- Method
- Methodology