No. 25-6715

Cristian Chaverra Moreno v. United States

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2026-02-04
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: congressional-power constitutional-interpretation define-and-punish-clause high-seas international-jurisdiction maritime-law
Key Terms:
CriminalProcedure Immigration JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2026-02-27
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Under the Define and Punish Clause and the Founders' understanding of sea zones, does Congress have the authority to punish felonies that occur in another country's contiguous zone?

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

Article I, Section 8, Clause 10 of the United States Constitution empowers Congress “[t]o define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations.” That authority is not unlimited. Congress only has aut hority to define and punish felonies that occur on the high seas, which raises the question of where the high seas begin and end. The Question Presented is: Under the Define and Punish Clause and the Founders ’ understanding of sea zones , does Congress have the authority to punish felonies that occur in another country’s contiguous zone?

Docket Entries

2026-02-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/27/2026.
2026-02-09
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-02-09
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2026-01-23
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 6, 2026)
2025-11-06
Application (25A527) granted by Justice Thomas extending the time to file until January 23, 2026.
2025-11-04
Application (25A527) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from December 24, 2025 to January 23, 2026, submitted to Justice Thomas.

Attorneys

Cristian Chaverra Moreno
Danielle MusselmanFederal Public Defender Florida Middle, Petitioner
Danielle MusselmanFederal Public Defender Florida Middle, Petitioner
Danielle MusselmanFederal Public Defender Florida Middle, Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent