No. 25-7461October Term 2025Before Arguments
William James Washington, Petitioner v. United States
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Question presented
Whether venue is proper in a district court where the offense conduct touching the district was not reasonably foreseeable to the defendant and not in furtherance of the alleged crimes.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
William James Washington is asking the Supreme Court to review a Second Circuit dispute over criminal venue, or where a federal case may be tried. The petition asks whether venue can rest on conduct in a district that was not reasonably foreseeable to the defendant and did not further the alleged crimes.
Argument
Washington has asked the justices to hear the case, and no oral argument is scheduled yet.
Impact
The answer could affect how far federal prosecutors may reach when alleged conduct touches more than one district. For example, it could matter to a defendant who faces trial in a district tied only loosely to the alleged crime.
What is the main issue in Washington v. United States?
The petition asks whether a federal case may be tried in a district linked by conduct the defendant could not reasonably foresee. It also asks whether that conduct must further the alleged crimes.
Who could be affected by Washington's venue challenge?
Federal defendants and prosecutors in cases spanning more than one district could be affected. The answer could shape where charges may be brought.
What happens next in Washington v. United States?
The justices must first decide whether to hear the case. If they do, watch for a scheduling order and later oral argument.
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