Michael Bowe, Petitioner v. United States

The case asked whether a rule that blocks repeat claims by state prisoners also blocks repeat claims by federal prisoners seeking to undo their sentences, and whether the Supreme Court can review lower-court decisions on those requests. The Court set aside the Eleventh Circuit's decision and sent the case back for more proceedings.

The Court vacated the Eleventh Circuit's judgment, but the materials provided here do not give a source-grounded vote count or full opinion lineup.

Majority

Sotomayor

Roberts

Kagan

Jackson

Kavanaugh

Dissent

Gorsuch

Thomas

Alito

Barrett

The decision affects federal prisoners who try to bring a second challenge to their sentence after an earlier one failed. It also matters to lower courts deciding whether those repeat filings can go forward and whether their gatekeeping decisions can be reviewed.

The case now returns to the lower courts for a new look under the Supreme Court's decision. Judges, prosecutors, and federal prisoners will have to adjust future filings and arguments to match that guidance.

The dispute was over whether limits on repeat state-prisoner claims also apply to repeat federal sentence challenges. The case also asked whether the Supreme Court can review lower-court permission decisions in those cases.

Federal prisoners seeking a second chance to challenge their sentence are directly affected. So are federal judges and prosecutors who must screen and respond to those repeat filings.

The case goes back to the lower courts for reconsideration. Those courts must apply the Supreme Court's guidance when deciding Bowe's request and similar future cases.