{"ID":55668,"name":"United States v. O\u0027Brien","href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/cases\/2009\/08-1569","view_count":0,"docket_number":"08-1569","additional_docket_numbers":null,"manner_of_jurisdiction":"Writ of \u003Ci\u003Ecertiorari\u003C\/i\u003E","first_party":"United States","second_party":"Martin O\u0027Brien and Arthur Burgess","timeline":[{"event":"Argued","dates":[1266904800],"href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/case_timeline\/case_timeline\/40461"},{"event":"Decided","dates":[1274677200],"href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/case_timeline\/case_timeline\/40462"}],"lower_court":{"ID":6,"name":"United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit","href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/taxonomy\/term\/6"},"facts_of_the_case":"\u003Cp\u003EA Massachusetts federal district court convicted Martin O\u0027Brien and Arthur Burgess of attempted robbery and related weapons crimes. One of the weapons used by the defendants was an AK-47 assault rifle. At a pre-trial conference, the district court ruled that the nature of the weapon (i.e. semi-automatic, automatic, etc.) was an element of the crime and, thus, a matter for the jury to decide. After sentencing, the government appealed, arguing that the nature of the weapon was a sentencing element, and, thus a matter for the judge to decide. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed, holding that under 18 U.S.C. Section 924(c) the nature of the weapon is an element of the crime that must be decided by the jury \u0022beyond a reasonable doubt.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\n","question":"\u003Cp\u003EIs the sentencing enhancement for use of a firearm that is a machine gun under 18 U.S.C. Section 924(c) an element of the crime that must be proved \u0022beyond a reasonable doubt\u0022 to a jury or a mere sentencing factor that may be found by a judge \u0022by a preponderance of the evidence?\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\n","conclusion":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the fact that a firearm was a machinegun is an element to be proved to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt, not a sentencing factor to be proved to the judge at sentencing. With Justice Anthony M. Kennedy writing for the majority, the Court reasoned that Congress determines whether a fact is an element or a sentencing factor. But when Congress is not explicit, the courts look to a statute\u0027s provision and framework for guidance. Under this analysis, the Court determined that the fact a firearm was a machine gun is an element of the crime.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJustice John Paul Stevens wrote separately, concurring. 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