No. 20-444October Term 2020Decided Jun 14, 2021
United States v. Gary
This case considers whether a defendant who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm is automatically entitled to relief if the trial court failed to inform him that knowing his felon status was an element of the crime.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 14, 2021
- What it's about
This case considers whether a defendant who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm is automatically entitled to relief if the trial court failed to inform him that knowing his felon status was an element of the crime. The Supreme Court ruled that defendants must show this error actually affected the outcome of their proceedings to receive relief.
Question presented
Whether a defendant who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm is automatically entitled to relief if the trial court failed to inform him that knowing his felon status was an element of the crime.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Decision released Jun 14, 2021
- Area
Gun Rights
Timing
Decided June 14, 2021
The Court released its decision 55 days after oral argument on April 20, 2021. The median for cases argued in April is 57 days.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 5, 2026
- Method
- Methodology