No. 25-6363October Term 2025Dismissed
Arturo Amaran, Petitioner v. Florida
This case arose from a Florida criminal proceeding in which Arturo Amaran asked the U.S.
Case status
- Current stage
- Dismissed
- Latest event
- Dismissed
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
This case arose from a Florida criminal proceeding in which Arturo Amaran asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review whether Florida courts upheld his conviction or sentence by interpreting a state statute in a way he says conflicts with Apprendi and the Constitution. In substance, he argued that the Florida courts created an extra exception to the usual rule requiring certain facts to be found by a jury and also altered the statute’s text by reading in words the legislature did not enact.
Question presented
1. Given the United States Supreme Court ’ s now long standing and clear 5 th Amendment jurisprudence, do Florida Courts have authority to expand, or otherwise invent, an exception to the rule announced in Apprendil? 2. Consistent with the strict and secure separation of powers, do Florida Courts have the authority to add words to statutes that were not placed there by the Legislature? 3. Can Florida Courts modify a statute express terms?
- Case path
Supreme Court of Florida / Dismissed
- Area
Dismissed Supreme Court case
Briefing
What it's about
Arturo Amaran is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Florida case about whether state courts went beyond their role. He says Florida courts cannot create an exception to the Apprendi rule or add words to a statute that the legislature did not write.
Argument
No oral argument is scheduled. In his petition, Amaran says Florida courts created an exception to Apprendi and changed statutory text.
Impact
The case could affect people whose cases depend on how Florida courts read statutes and apply Supreme Court constitutional rules. For example, someone could argue a court cannot treat a law as if it contains extra words the legislature never passed.
What is Arturo Amaran v. Florida about?
It asks whether Florida courts can create an exception to Apprendi and add words to a statute. Amaran says that goes beyond judicial power.
Who could be affected if the Court takes Amaran v. Florida?
People whose Florida cases turn on court-made exceptions or added statutory wording could be affected. State courts would also face clearer limits on how far interpretation can go.
What happens next in Arturo Amaran v. Florida?
The justices first decide whether to grant certiorari (hear the case). No oral argument is scheduled yet, and no decision window is available.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 23, 2026
- Method
- Methodology