Supreme Court·Oral argument
Supreme Court returns Tuesday with Beaird v. United States, a test of deference to sentencing commentary in a 17-round magazine case
After Monday's legal holiday, the justices hear one hour of argument Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Beaird v. United States, which asks whether the 1993 decision in Stinson v. United States still sets how much deference courts owe the U.S. Sentencing Commission's commentary on its guidelines. The case arose after Kendrick Beaird, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, got a higher guideline range because the commentary defines a "large capacity magazine" as one that can hold more than 15 rounds and his Glock's magazine held 17, SCOTUSblog reported. Beaird argues for no deference, the Justice Department supports sending the case back, and Court-appointed amicus Anthony J. Dick defends the Fifth Circuit's judgment.
- Supreme Court of the United StatesDay Call, Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- SCOTUSblogCourt to weigh deference to U.S. Sentencing Commission's interpretations of its guidelines
- Supreme Court of the United StatesHearing List, Session Beginning October 5, 2026