Guerrant v. United States

Guerrant is asking the Supreme Court to decide whether a state drug distribution conviction counts under the federal Sentencing Guidelines' career-offender rule when the state law covers substances that federal law does not. The case comes from the Fourth Circuit.

The case is pending, and oral argument has not been scheduled. Guerrant argues that a state distribution conviction should not count if the state law reaches substances not defined as controlled substances under federal law.

The answer could affect how long some federal defendants spend in prison. For example, a person with an earlier state drug conviction could face a higher federal sentencing range if that conviction is treated as a career-offender predicate.

The next thing to watch is a scheduling move from the Court, including whether oral argument is set. No decision window is available yet.

The case asks whether a state drug distribution conviction counts under the federal career-offender guideline when the state law covers substances federal law does not.

It could change sentencing ranges in federal court. Defendants with past state drug convictions may face longer or shorter recommended sentences depending on the answer.

Watch for another scheduling move from the Supreme Court, including whether oral argument is set. No decision timing is available yet.