United States v. Castleman (U.S. Supreme Court)

The Supreme Court granted the United States’ petition to review the question whether James Castleman’s Tennessee conviction for misdemeanor domestic assault by intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to the mother of his child qualifies as a conviction for a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). The circuits were divided on whether an element of “violent” force is required for an offense to qualify as a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” under section 922(g)(9). The courts of appeals were also divided on whether misdemeanor assault by causing bodily injury has, as an element, the use of physical force. In conjunction with the Yale Law School Supreme Court Clinic, we represented respondent.