No. 25-5851
Christopher Lynn Johnson v. Pennsylvania
IFP
Tags: burden-of-proof constitutional-error criminal-procedure due-process ineffective-assistance structural-error
Key Terms:
DueProcess
DueProcess
Latest Conference:
2026-01-09
Question Presented (from Petition)
Does an attorney's failure to object to unconstitutional instructions that relieve the Commonwealth of its burden of disproving an accused's defense beyond a reasonable doubt result in a structural error of fundamental unfairness requiring reversal?
Question Presented (AI Summary)
Does an attorney's failure to object to unconstitutional instructions that relieve the Commonwealth of its burden of disproving an accused's defense beyond a reasonable doubt result in a structural error of fundamental unfairness requiring reversal?
Docket Entries
2026-01-12
Petition DENIED.
2025-12-31
Reply of petitioner Christopher Johnson filed. (Distributed)
2025-12-24
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/9/2026.
2025-12-16
Reply of Christopher Johnson submitted.
2025-12-10
Brief of Pennsylvania in opposition submitted.
2025-12-10
Brief of respondent Pennsylvania in opposition filed.
2025-11-04
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 10, 2025.
2025-11-03
Motion of Pennsylvania for an extension of time submitted.
2025-11-03
Motion to extend the time to file a response from November 10, 2025 to December 10, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-10-06
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due November 10, 2025)
Attorneys
Christopher Johnson
Peter Walker — Federal Community Defender for the EDPA, Petitioner
Pennsylvania
William R. Toal III — Office of the District Attorney, Respondent
Brian Ray Sinnett — Adams County district Attorney's Office, Respondent