Butler v. United States
In brief
The Supreme Court refused to hear Butler's case, leaving the Sixth Circuit's decision in place without deciding the underlying legal question.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · May 26, 2020
- What it’s about
- The Supreme Court denied Butler’s petition for review, leaving the Sixth Circuit’s decision in place.
- Who it affects
- The Sixth Circuit's decision remains in place for Butler, but the Supreme Court did not decide the legal question raised in his petition.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
Butler had asked whether a person can be considered in police custody for Miranda purposes when police control the encounter and the person is not free to leave, even though an officer says the person is not under arrest.
This was a request for Supreme Court review of a federal appeals court decision from the Sixth Circuit.
Question presented
Whether the district court’s failure to instruct the jury on the knowledge-of-status element of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) was plain error that affected Petitioner’s substantial rights and the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceedings.
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished this docket action, and the Sixth Circuit's decision remains the decision that applies in Butler's case.
Documents
Opinions
Key filings
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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More questions
- What does the Supreme Court's denial mean for Butler?
- It leaves the Sixth Circuit's decision in place without endorsing either side or deciding the legal issue.
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.