No. 20-5904October Term 2020Decided Jun 14, 2021Updated May 24, 2026
Terry v. United States
This case was about whether people convicted before August 3, 2010 of low-level crack cocaine offenses under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C) could get shorter sentences under the First Step Act.
Case status
Decided 9-0 · June 14, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Thomas
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 14, 2021
- What it's about
This case was about whether people convicted before August 3, 2010 of low-level crack cocaine offenses under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C) could get shorter sentences under the First Step Act. The Supreme Court held that they could not, because that subsection’s statutory penalties were not changed by the Fair Sentencing Act.
Question presented
Whether pre-August 3, 2010 crack offenders sentenced under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C) have a “covered offense” under Section 404 of the First Step Act.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Decision released Jun 14, 2021
- Area
Criminal Procedure
Timing
Decided June 14, 2021
The Court released its decision on June 14, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 24, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Jun 14, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Sep 28, 2020 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology