Wiggins v. United States

Whether the term "controlled substance offense" refers to a "controlled substance" under state or federal law (or both) can determine whether certain defendants will qualify as a "career offender" under the Guidelines.

The Supreme Court will decide whether the term "controlled substance offense" in federal sentencing guidelines refers to drugs that are illegal under state law, federal law, or both. This distinction is crucial because it determines whether certain defendants qualify as "career offenders" who face much harsher prison sentences.