taylor argued february decided may petitioner taylor pleaded guilty possession firearm convicted felon violation four prior convictions including two burglary missouri law government sought apply inter alia provides sentence enhancement person convicted three previous convictions violent felony defines violent felony crime punishable imprisonment term exceeding one year element use attempted use threatened use physical force another person ii burglary specified offenses otherwise involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another imposing enhanced sentence upon taylor district rejected contention burglary convictions present risk physical injury ii count appeals affirmed ruling word burglary ii means burglary however state chooses define held offense constitutes burglary regardless exact definition label basic elements generic burglary unlawful unprivileged entry remaining building structure intent commit crime charging paper jury instructions actually required jury find elements generic burglary order convict defendant pp convicting state definition burglary control word meaning since allow sentence enhancement identical conduct different turn upon whether particular happened call conduct burglary result required omission burglary definition contained prior version statute absent clear indication congress intended deletion abandon general approach using uniform categorical definitions predicate offenses burglary must uniform definition independent labels used various criminal codes cf nardello pp limited definition burglary breaking entering dwelling night intent commit felony since definition expanded include entry without breaking structures dwellings daytime offenses intent commit crimes felonies modern crime little common ancestor moreover absent specific indication congressional intent definition obviously ill suited statutory purpose controlling violent crimes career offenders read definition arcane distinctions little relevance modern law enforcement concerns crimes recognized burglaries fall within definition adoption come close nullifying effect statutory term burglary circumstances general rule lenity require adoption definition pp section limited burglaries involve especially dangerous conduct aggravated burglaries congress intent reason add word burglary ii since provision already includes crime involves conduct presents serious potential risk harm persons likely congress thought burglary specified offenses often presented risk personal injury committed career criminals included even though considered solely terms statutory elements necessarily involve use threat force person moreover choice unqualified language burglary otherwise involves dangerous conduct indicates congress thought ordinary burglaries well involving especially dangerous elements included pp thus plausible alternative congress meant burglary generic sense term used criminal codes fact meaning practically identical omitted statutory definition irrelevant definition explicitly replaced different narrower one legislative history discloses alternative ever discussed omission therefore implies congress simply wish specify exact formulation pp sentencing must generally adopt formal categorical approach applying enhancement provision looking fact conviction statutory definition predicate offense rather particular underlying facts approach required since read context ii burglary phrase likely refers statutory elements offense rather facts defendant conduct since legislative history reveals general categorical approach predicate offenses since elaborate factfinding process regarding defendant prior offenses impracticable unfair categorical approach however still permit sentencing go beyond mere fact conviction narrow range cases indictment information jury instructions actually required jury find elements generic burglary even though defendant convicted statute defining burglary broader terms pp judgment must vacated case remanded proceedings since time taylor convictions missouri burglary statutes included elements generic burglary apparent sparse record statutes bases convictions blackmun delivered opinion rehnquist brennan white marshall stevens kennedy joined part ii scalia joined scalia filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment post bruce dayton livingston appointment argued cause petitioner briefs bennett clark michael lazerwitz argued cause brief solicitor general starr deputy solicitor general bryson assistant attorney general dennis andrew levchuk burton shostak filed brief national association criminal defense lawyers amicus curiae urging reversal justice blackmun delivered opinion case called upon determine meaning word burglary used subtitle career criminals amendment act abuse act statute provides sentence enhancement defendant convicted unlawful possession firearm three prior convictions specified types offenses including burglary unlawful person convicted previously felony possess firearm defendant convicted violation subject provision issue case person violates section title three previous convictions violent felony serious drug offense person shall fined imprisoned less fifteen years used subsection term violent felony means crime punishable imprisonment term exceeding one year element use attempted use threatened use physical force person another ii burglary arson extortion involves use explosives otherwise involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another government sought sentence enhancement taylor conceded robbery assault convictions properly counted two three prior convictions required enhancement involved use physical force persons taylor contended however burglary convictions count enhancement involve conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another ii guilty plea conditioned right appeal issue district pursuant sentenced taylor years imprisonment without possibility parole appeals eighth circuit divided vote affirmed taylor sentence ruled word burglary ii means burglary however state chooses define district err using taylor missouri convictions burglary enhance sentence majority relied earlier decision portwood cert denied granted certiorari resolve conflict among courts appeals concerning definition burglary purposes word burglary given single accepted meaning state courts criminal codes define burglary many different ways see hill surveying number burglary statutes face federal enhancement provision readily apparent whether congress intended burglary mean whatever state defendant prior conviction defines burglary whether intended uniform definition burglary applied cases government seeks enhancement congress intended uniform definition burglary applied definition traditional definition one broader generic definitions articulated model penal code predecessor statute definition specifically tailored purposes enhancement statute ii examining possibilities think helpful review background six years ago congress enacted first version provision armed career criminal act pub ch stat app supp iii repealed pub stat convicted felon found guilty possession firearm three previous convictions robbery burglary receive mandatory minimum sentence imprisonment years burglary defined statute felony consisting entering remaining surreptitiously within building property another intent engage conduct constituting federal state offense act intended supplement law enforcement efforts career criminals house report accompanying act explained large percentage crimes theft violence committed small percentage repeat offenders robbery burglary crimes frequently committed career criminals pp see also house report quoted sponsor legislation senator specter found burglary one damaging crimes society involves invasion victims homes workplaces violation privacy loss personal valued possessions similarly senate report stated burglary included one common violent street crimes hile burglary sometimes viewed crime character change rapidly depending fortuitous presence occupants home burglar enters arrival still premises explanation congress chose specific definition burglary included appears senate report wide variation among localities ways offenses labeled absence definitions raised possibility culpable offenders might escape punishment technicality instance common law definition burglary includes requirement offense committed nighttime respect dwelling however purposes act limitations appropriate furthermore terms fundamental fairness act ensure extent consistent prerogatives defining offenses type conduct punishable federal level cases five months later amended present form subtitle career criminals amendment act abuse act stat amendment effected three changes taken together give rise problem presented case expanded predicate offenses triggering sentence enhancement robbery burglary violent felony serious drug offense defined term violent felony include burglary deleted definition burglary legislative history silent congress reason deleting definition burglary reveal however general purpose approach career criminals amendment act two bills proposed current statutory language emerged compromise first bill introduced senate senator specter house representative wyden provided crime violence count toward three prior convictions required sentence enhancement defined crime violence offense element use attempted use threatened use physical force person property another felony nature involves substantial risk physical force person property another may used course committing offense sess sess second bill introduced house representatives hughes mccollum took narrower approach restricting crimes count toward enhancement state federal felony element use attempted use threatened use physical force person another sess senator specter introduced senate stated since enhancement provision effect year half successful basic classification robberies burglaries definition career criminal time come broaden definition may greater sweep effective use important statute cong rec similarly house senate hearings bills witnesses reiterated concerns prompted original enactment enhancement provision large proportion crimes committed small number career offenders inadequacy state prosecutorial resources address problem see armed career criminal legislation hearing subcommittee crime house committee judiciary sess house hearing armed career criminal act amendments hearing subcommittee criminal law senate committee judiciary sess senate hearing issue consideration uniformly referred expanding range predicate offenses house hearing us want see legislation expanded violent offenders career drug dealers statement wyden think agree expand predicate offenses statement hughes statement deputy assistant attorney general james knapp statement bruce lyons national association criminal defense lawyers statement specter senate hearing time seems ripe many quarters including department justice expand armed career criminal bill include offenses statement specter statement attorney edward dennis statement david dart queen department treasury statement ronald castille district attorney philadelphia witnesses criticized narrower bill excluding property crimes pointing crimes present serious risk harm persons career offenders enhancement provision aimed often specialize property crimes especially burglary see house hearing hope least violent felonies property included people make career commit hundreds burglaries statements wyden statement castille testimony knapp focused specifically whether enhancement provision include burglary predicate offense criticized excluding serious felonies property burglary offenses thus inadvertently narrow ing scope present armed career criminal act went say question raised well crimes property included think burglary course arson extortion various explosives offenses one problem see using specific generic term like burglary arson fine statutes lot newer explosive offenses single generic term covers something committee may want careful coming final statutory language crimes property inherently dangerous think considered predicate offenses house hearing representative hughes put question next witness lyons witness replied use burglary burglary going back really original legislative history intent get hold profit motive recidivist armed career criminal nacdl really problem burglary predicate offense hand seen broad see important prioritize offenses statement hughes answer probably lies somewhere two bills statement knapp hearing concluded statement representative hughes sponsor narrower bill frankly think question burglaries see arguments ways already included burglaries leanings leave alone existing law existing statute still specific enough talking burglaries probably carried armed criminal triggering mechanism possess weapon talking average burglar necessarily talking somebody also illegally possesses transferred firearm house hearing term violent felony means crime punishable imprisonment term exceeding one year element use attempted use threatened use force person another ii involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another favorably reported house committee judiciary report explained subcommittee crime held hearing consider whether expand predicate offenses robbery burglary existing law order add effectiveness hearing consensus developed support expansion predicate offenses include serious drug trafficking offenses violent felonies generally concept encompassed deleting specific predicate offenses robbery burglary adding predicate offenses certain drug offenses violent felonies major question involved hearings violent felonies involving physical force property included definition violent felony subcommittee agreed add crimes punishable term exceeding one year involve conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury others add state federal crimes property burglary arson extortion use explosives similar crimes predicate offenses conduct involved presents serious risk injury person emphasis original useful observations may drawn first throughout history enhancement provision congress focused efforts career offenders commit large number fairly serious crimes means livelihood possess weapons present least potential threat harm persons concern limited offenders actually convicted crimes violence persons rejected house subcommittee restricted predicate offenses crimes actually involving violence persons legislative history also indicates congress singled burglary opposed frequently committed property crimes larceny auto theft inclusion predicate offense inherent potential harm persons fact offender enters building commit crime often creates possibility violent confrontation offender occupant caretaker person comes investigate offender awareness possibility may mean prepared use violence necessary carry plans escape congress apparently thought burglaries serious enough punishable imprisonment year constituted category crimes shared potential violence likely committed career criminals never proposal limit predicate offense special subclass burglaries might especially dangerous offender armed building occupied crime occurs night second enhancement provision always embodied categorical approach designation predicate offenses statute robbery burglary defined statute left vagaries state law see app supp iii thus congress intended enhancement provision triggered crimes certain specified elements crimes happened labeled robbery burglary laws state conviction proposed versions amendment carried forward categorical approach extending range predicate offenses crimes certain common characteristics use threatened use force risk force used regardless labeled state law third definition burglary shows congress least time mind modern generic view burglary roughly corresponding definitions burglary majority criminal codes see hill adopting definition congress prevented offenders invoking arcane technicalities definition burglary evade provision protected offenders unfairness enhancement depend upon label employed state conviction see nothing legislative history amendment shows congress dissatisfied definition testimony reports read meaning burglary undisputed debate hearings centered upon whether property crimes included predicate offenses ones house hearing subcommittee reached consensus least property crimes including burglary included debate proper definition burglary compromise bill apparently intended include burglary among serious property offenses implication crime involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another language added enactment seemingly meant simply make explicit provision implied coverage crimes burglary legislative history whole suggests deletion definition burglary may inadvertent casualty complex drafting process event nothing history show congress intended replace generic definition burglary something entirely different although omission definition term often indicates congress intent reject definition see ins russello draw inference indication congress ever abandoned general approach designating predicate offenses using uniform categorical definitions capture offenses certain level seriousness involve violence inherent risk thereof likely committed career offenders regardless technical definitions labels state law iii observations purpose general approach enhancement provision enable us narrow range possible meanings term burglary first led reject view appeals case seems us implausible congress intended meaning burglary purposes depend definition adopted state conviction mean person convicted unlawful possession firearm receive sentence enhancement based exactly conduct depending whether state prior conviction happened call conduct burglary example michigan offense formally labeled burglary classifies burglaries several grades breaking entering see comp laws contrast california defines burglary broadly include shoplifting theft goods locked unoccupied automobile see cal penal code ann west supp chatman entry unsecured window unoccupied auto entry store open public intent commit theft burglary california law see also tex penal code ann supp defining burglary include theft vending machine automobile leonard cert pending thus person imprudent enough shoplift steal automobile california found ninth circuit view committed burglary constituting violent felony enhancement purposes yet person michigan might without clear indication amendment congress intended abandon general approach using uniform categorical definitions identify predicate offenses interpret congress omission definition burglary way leads odd results kind see dickerson new banner institute absent plain indication contrary federal laws construed application dependent state law application federal legislation nationwide times federal program impaired state law control turley absence plain indication intent incorporate diverse state laws federal criminal statute meaning federal statute dependent state law response similar problem interpreting term extortion travel act instructive appellees argue congress decision define extortion combined decision prohibit extortion violation state law compels conclusion peculiar versions state terminology controlling fallacy contention lies assumption defining extortion reference state law congress also incorporated state labels particular offenses congress intent aid local law enforcement officials eradicate extortionate activities given state denominated extortion giving controlling effect state classifications result coverage appellees activities centered massachusetts michigan oregon deny coverage indiana kansas minnesota wisconsin although prohibits identical criminal activities nardello courts appeals see supra ruled incorporates definition burglary relying maxim statutory term generally presumed meaning see morissette view appeal burglary core common denominator contemporary usage term almost include breaking entering dwelling night intent commit felony among definitions burglary whatever else members congress might thinking presumably mind least classic definition considered inclusion burglary predicate offense problem view contemporary understanding burglary diverged long way roots retain definition something closely resembling expanded definition include entry without breaking structures dwellings offenses committed daytime entry intent commit crime felony etc see lafave scott supra pp statutory development viewed totality resulted modern crime little common ancestor except title burglary also interpreting burglary mean burglary comport purposes enhancement statute arcane distinctions embedded definition little relevance modern law enforcement concerns seems unlikely members congress immersed intensely practical concerns controlling violent crime decided abandon modern generic definition burglary revert definition developed ancient english law definition mentioned nowhere legislative history moreover construing burglary mean burglary come close nullifying term effect statute crimes generally recognized burglaries fall within definition argued course burglary large involves greater potential risk physical injury another ii even assuming congress intended restrict predicate offense especially dangerous subclass burglaries restricting burglary rational way definition require offender armed dwelling occupied time crime armed burglary occupied commercial building daytime seem pose far greater risk harm persons unarmed nocturnal breaking entering unoccupied house seems unlikely congress considered latter former violent felony counting towards sentence enhancement absence specific indication congress meant incorporate meaning burglary shall read statute definition burglary obviously ill suited purposes declined follow rule statutory term given meaning meaning obsolete inconsistent statute purpose perrin rejected argument travel act incorporated definition bribery act passed common understanding meaning bribery extended beyond early definitions federal legislation bribery included bribery individuals acting private capacity background travel act passed record hearings floor debates discloses congress made attempt define statutory term bribery relied accepted contemporary meaning omitted petitioner argues narrow definition burglary comport rule lenity criminal statutes including sentencing provisions construed favor accused see bifulco simpson maxim statutory construction however dictate implausible interpretation statute one odds generally accepted contemporary meaning term see perrin petitioner suggests another narrowing construction term burglary suited purpose enhancement statute burglary crime punishable term imprisonment exceeding one year consisting entering remaining within building property another intent engage conduct constituting federal state offense element necessary conviction conduct presents serious risk physical injury another brief petitioner accept petitioner proposal however two reasons first supported language statute legislative history petitioner essentially asserts congress meant include predicate offenses subclass burglaries whose elements include conduct presents serious risk physical injury another risk inherent ordinary burglaries congress intent reason add word burglary ii since provision already includes crime involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another must assume congress purpose adding word burglary enacting law likely explanation view legislative history congress thought certain general categories property crimes namely burglary arson extortion use explosives often presented risk injury persons often committed career criminals included enhancement statute even though considered solely terms statutory elements necessarily involve use threat force person second congress meant include especially dangerous subclass burglaries predicate offenses unlikely used unqualified language burglary otherwise involves conduct presents serious potential risk ii emphasis added congress presumably realized word burglary commonly understood include aggravated burglaries also burglaries involving unarmed offender unoccupied building use threat force choice language indicates congress thought ordinary burglaries well burglaries involving element making especially dangerous presented sufficiently serious potential risk count toward enhancement therefore reject petitioner view congress meant include special subclass burglaries either burglaries common law involve especially dangerous conduct limiting constructions dictated rule lenity see supra believe congress meant burglary generic sense term used criminal codes see perrin nardello although exact formulations vary generic contemporary meaning burglary contains least following elements unlawful unprivileged entry remaining building structure intent commit crime see lafave scott supra modern statutes generally require entry unprivileged modern statutes typically describe place building structure prevailing view modern codes intent commit offense generic meaning course practically identical definition omitted enhancement provision definition however explicitly replaced different narrower one legislative history discloses alternative definition burglary ever discussed seen simply plausible alternative congress mind omission definition burglary act therefore implies congress wish specify exact formulation offense must meet order count burglary enhancement purposes conclude person convicted burglary purposes enhancement convicted crime regardless exact definition label basic elements unlawful unprivileged entry remaining building structure intent commit crime iv remains problem applying conclusion cases state statute defendant convicted varies generic definition burglary state statute narrower generic view cases burglary convictions convictions aggravated burglary problem conviction necessarily implies defendant found guilty elements generic burglary defendant convicted burglary state generic definition adopted minor variations terminology trial need find state statute corresponds substance generic meaning burglary burglary statutes however noted define burglary broadly eliminating requirement entry unlawful including places automobiles vending machines buildings one missouri burglary statutes effect times petitioner taylor convictions included breaking entering booth tent boat vessel railroad car mo rev stat repealed also may offenses laws called burglary correspond substantial part generic burglary therefore must address question whether case defendant convicted statute government may seek enhancement ground actually committed generic burglary question requires us address general issue whether sentencing applying must look statutory definitions prior offenses whether may consider evidence concerning defendant prior crimes courts appeals uniformly held mandates formal categorical approach looking statutory definitions prior offenses particular facts underlying convictions see chatman headspeth vidaure cert denied sherbondy find reasoning cases persuasive first language generally supports inference congress intended sentencing look fact defendant convicted crimes falling within certain categories facts underlying prior convictions section refers person three previous convictions person committed three previous violent felonies drug offenses section defines violent felony crime punishable imprisonment year element crime particular case involves use threat force read context phrase burglary ii likely refers elements statute conviction facts defendant conduct second said legislative history enhancement statute shows congress generally took categorical approach predicate offenses considerable debate kinds offenses include define one suggested particular crime might sometimes count towards enhancement sometimes depending facts case congress meant adopt approach require sentencing engage elaborate factfinding process regarding defendant prior offenses surely mentioned somewhere legislative history third practical difficulties potential unfairness factual approach daunting cases government alleges defendant actual conduct fit generic definition burglary trial determine conduct cases indictment charging paper might reveal theory theories case presented jury cases however government actual proof trial indicate whether defendant conduct constituted generic burglary government permitted introduce trial transcript sentencing transcript available present testimony witnesses defense present witnesses argue jury might returned guilty verdict theory require finding defendant committed generic burglary sentencing conclude review record defendant actually committed generic burglary defendant challenge conclusion abridging right jury trial also cases defendant pleaded guilty often record underlying facts even government able prove facts guilty plea lesser nonburglary offense result plea bargain seem unfair impose sentence enhancement defendant pleaded guilty burglary think plausible interpretation ii like rest enhancement statute generally requires trial look fact conviction statutory definition prior offense categorical approach however may permit sentencing go beyond mere fact conviction narrow range cases jury actually required find elements generic burglary example state whose burglary statutes include entry automobile well building indictment information jury instructions show defendant charged burglary building jury necessarily find entry building convict government allowed use conviction enhancement therefore hold offense constitutes burglary purposes sentence enhancement either statutory definition substantially corresponds generic burglary charging paper jury instructions actually required jury find elements generic burglary order convict defendant taylor case former missouri statutes defining burglary include elements generic burglary see supra despite government argument contrary apparent us sparse record us statutes bases taylor prior convictions therefore vacate judgment appeals remand case proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes statutes replaced mo rev stat provides person commits burglary knowingly enters unlawfully knowingly remains unlawfully building inhabitable structure purpose committing crime therein formal notice punishment enhancement submitted district case reveal seven earlier missouri statutes bases taylor convictions stated convicted burglary second degree app see leonard burglary defined according state law case chatman definition burglary headspeth palmer cert denied burglary means offense met definition burglary predecessor statute taylor dombrowski hill patterson inquiry whether crime defined state statute involves conduct presents serious potential risk injury another burglary defined common law breaking entering dwelling house another nighttime intent commit felony lafave scott substantive criminal law lafave scott see blackstone commentaries statutes single especially dangerous forms burglary see lafave scott pp senate october passed bill add definition burglary identical one deleted see cong rec introducing bill senator biden explained amendment corrects error occurred inadvertently definition burglary deleted armed career criminal statute amendment reenacts original definition intended broader common law burglary see md ann code art mass laws ch miss code ann code consider blackstone exposition one elements burglary time must night day day time burglary seen case justifiable homicide much heinous laws made attack night rather day allowing party attacked night kill assailant impunity reckoned night day purpose anciently day accounted begin end immediately upon better opinion seems daylight crepusculum enough begun left discern man face withal burglary extend moonlight many midnight burglaries go unpunished besides malignity offence properly arise done dark dead night creation except beasts prey rest sleep disarmed owner rendered castle defenceless blackstone commentaries usage approximates adopted drafters model penal code person guilty burglary enters building occupied structure separately secured occupied portion thereof purpose commit crime therein unless premises time open public actor licensed privileged enter american law institute model penal code present concern determine offenses count burglaries enhancement purposes government remains free argue offense including offenses similar generic burglary count towards enhancement one otherwise involves conduct presents serious potential risk physical injury another ii even enhancement available government may still present evidence defendant actual prior criminal conduct increase sentence violation federal sentencing guidelines justice scalia concurring part concurring judgment join opinion except part ii examines great detail statute legislative history examination uncover anything useful anything tempts us alter meaning deduce text anyway usual consequence inquiries good thing noteworthy however case hard understand done found anything useful says correctly statutory term burglary generally accepted contemporary meaning must given effect may modified rule lenity ante meaning clear constricted venerable canon construction surely ambiguous constricted sundry floor statements witness testimony legislative incunabula discusses conceivable look legislative history determine whether displays less extensive punitive intent plain meaning domain rule lenity extensive one found extensive one assume apply rule lenity bringing us back ordinary meaning statute seems like lot trouble discern reason devoting pages today opinion legislative history except show given case close careful consideration must find better way demonstrating conscientiousness