Opinion ID: 77262
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Apprendi applies retroactively to 2241 petitions

Text: 10 We have not addressed directly the issue of whether Apprendi applies retroactively in the context of a § 2241 petition. However, we have held that Apprendi does not apply retroactively to claims raised in a § 2255 motion. McCoy v. United States, 266 F.3d 1245, 1258 (11th Cir.2001). In McCoy the petitioner-appellant filed an initial § 2255 motion arguing that the indictment's failure to allege a specific drug quantity violated Apprendi. Id. at 1247. In determining whether Apprendi applied retroactively, we conducted an analysis under the test established in Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989). Id. at 1255-58. First, we determined Apprendi was a new rule of criminal procedure, and that under Teague new rules of criminal procedure could not generally be applied retroactively to final convictions. Id. at 1255-56. We then considered whether Apprendi fell within the two exceptions to Teague 's non-retroactivity rule. Id. at 1256-58. We concluded that Apprendi did not fall within either exception because Apprendi (1) did not decriminalize any class of conduct or prohibit a certain category of punishment for a class of defendants, and (2) was not sufficiently fundamental to fall within Teague 's second exception. Id. We also affirmed the dismissal of McCoy's § 2255 motion on the alternative ground that he was procedurally barred from challenging his sentence on Apprendi grounds because he failed to raise the argument on direct appeal. Id. at 1258-59. We noted that McCoy had to show both cause and actual prejudice to excuse his failure to raise the claim on direct appeal and that he could not do so. Id. Also, we have recently held that claims involving United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005) do not apply retroactively to an initial § 2255 motion. Varela v. United States, 400 F.3d 864, 868 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 126 S.Ct. 312, 163 L.Ed.2d 269 (2005). 11 While we have not expressly decided whether Apprendi applies retroactively in a § 2241 petition, other circuits have addressed this issue and have held that Apprendi does not apply retroactively to claims brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Love v. Menifee, 333 F.3d 69, 74 (2d Cir. 2003); San-Miguel v. Dove, 291 F.3d 257, 258-60 (4th Cir.2002); United States ex rel. Perez v. Warden, FMC Rochester, 286 F.3d 1059, 1060-62 (8th Cir.2002). 12 We agree with the holdings of our sister circuits and adopt their reasoning in holding that Apprendi does not apply retroactively in the context of a 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition.