Davis v. Michigan

Background

A person convicted in Michigan sought retroactive relief tied to a recent Supreme Court decision called Montgomery. The petitioner asked the Justices to review the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling. The Court granted the request, allowed the petitioner to proceed without paying filing fees, vacated the Michigan judgment, and sent the case back to the Michigan Supreme Court for further consideration in light of Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016).

Reasoning

The central question was whether the petitioner should get retroactive relief under Montgomery and whether the state court’s prior decision should stand. The Court did not decide the merits. Instead, it held the petition, then granted review, vacated the lower court’s judgment, and remanded the case for the state court to reconsider the matter under Montgomery. The Court’s action does not itself say the petitioner wins or loses on the underlying claim.

Real world impact

State courts in Michigan must reexamine this case and others like it in light of Montgomery. The order does not grant immediate relief and leaves open state-law questions that could block relief, such as whether the claim was forfeited, waived in a plea agreement, or barred by independent state rules. Because this is a procedural send-back rather than a final ruling on the claim, the outcome could still change.

Dissents or concurrances

Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Alito, agreed with the decision to send the case back but emphasized that the Court’s action should not be read as resolving whether the petitioner is entitled to retroactive relief or whether state-law defenses apply.