No. 25-6342

Sergio Zamora-Rios v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-12-11
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: almendarez-torres apprendi-rule constitutional-interpretation criminal-sentencing precedent-review sixth-amendment
Key Terms:
Immigration Privacy
Latest Conference: 2026-01-09
Question Presented (from Petition)

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right "to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation." U.S. Const. amend. VI. "[F]act[s] that increase[] the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt," except for prior convictions. Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 488–90 & n.15 (2000). Apprendi grounded its rule in history and tradition but relied on precedent—Almendarez-Torres v. United States—for the exception to the rule. See id. at 477–83, 487–90 (citing Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224 (1998)). Can Almendarez-Torres be reconciled with the Sixth Amendment's history and tradition; and if not, should this Court overrule it?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether Almendarez-Torres can be reconciled with the Sixth Amendment's history and tradition, and if not, should the Court overrule it?

Docket Entries

2026-01-12
Petition DENIED.
2025-12-17
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/9/2026.
2025-12-15
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2025-12-15
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-12-08
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due January 12, 2026)

Attorneys

Sergio Zamora-Rios
Maria Gabriela VegaOffice of the Federal Public Defender, NDTX, Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent