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Supreme Court Case TrackerThe Court, in plain English

By term

October Term 2012 (2012–2013)

3 casesPreview
  • Before Arguments0
  • Awaiting Decision0
  • Decided3
  • Dismissed0
3 of 3 tracked cases in October Term 2012 (2012–2013) have a decision on the record.

Term tracker

Every published case, by stage

Decided Cases

3
DecidedLonger sentences for past crimesMatthew Robert Descamps v. United StatesThe Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit’s ruling that Matthew Descamps’s California burglary conviction could support an Armed Career Criminal Act sentence enhancement. It ruled that courts cannot examine old case records to see whether a conviction fits standard burglary when state law defines burglary through one broad set of elements.Decided 11-9540DecidedMaryland, Petitioner v. Alonzo Jay King, Jr.The Supreme Court held that law enforcement officers can constitutionally collect DNA samples from individuals arrested for serious crimes as part of routine booking procedures. The Court ruled that this practice serves a legitimate state interest and does not violate the Fourth Amendment.Decided 12-207DecidedFederal law and towing rulesDan's City Used Cars, Inc., dba Dan's City Auto Body v. Robert PelkeyAfter Dan’s City towed Robert Pelkey’s car, Pelkey claimed the company violated New Hampshire rules in storing and disposing of it. The Supreme Court agreed with New Hampshire’s highest court that federal law does not override (preempt) state-law claims about a towed car’s storage and disposal.Decided 12-52