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Virginia v. LeBlanc

Docket No. Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-1177 Not Argued Jun 12, 2017 n/a Per Curiam OT 2016

Holding: The Virginia trial court's ruling denying Dennis LeBlanc's motion to vacate his sentence in light of the Supreme Court's requirement in Graham v. Florida that a state give juvenile offenders convicted of a nonhomicide crime "some meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation" -- a ruling which rested on the Virginia Supreme Court's earlier ruling in Angel v. Commonwealth that the state's geriatric release program satisfies this requirement -- was not objectively unreasonable in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's current case law.

Judgment: Reversed in a per curiam opinion on June 12, 2017. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
03/28/2017Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 1, 2017)
05/01/2017Brief of respondent Dennis LeBlanc in opposition filed.
05/01/2017Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by respondent Dennis LeBlanc.
05/05/2017Reply of petitioners Virginia, et al. filed.
05/08/2017Letter of May 4, 2017, from counsel for petitioners waiving the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 received.
05/09/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 25, 2017.
05/30/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 1, 2017.
06/05/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 8, 2017.
06/12/2017Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by respondent GRANTED.
06/12/2017Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion). Justice Ginsburg, concurring in the judgment. (Detached Opinion).
07/05/2017Petition for Rehearing filed.
07/13/2017DISTRIBUTED.
08/07/2017Rehearing DENIED.
08/07/2017JUDGMENT ISSUED.