Record returned to U.S.D.C. for Nothern District of Texas. (Dallas)

Record returned to U.S.C.A. for 5th Circuit.

JUDGMENT ISSUED.

Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Stevens, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Ginsburg, and Alito, JJ., joined. Kennedy, J., filed a concurring opinion. Alito, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which S

Argued. For petitioner: J. Craig Jett, Dallas, Tex. (Appointed by this Court.) For respondent: Irving L. Gornstein, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Reply of petitioner Keshia Cherie Ashford Dixon filed. (Distributed)

Record received from U.S.D.C. for the Northern District of Texas. (1 box)

Brief of respondent United States filed.

Record received from U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit. (1 envelope)

CIRCULATED.

Motion to appoint counsel filed by petitioner GRANTED. J. Craig Jett, Esquire, of Dallas, Texas is appointed to serve as counsel for the petitioner in this case. (orders list)

SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.

Brief of petitioner Keshia Cherie Ashford Dixon filed.

Joint appendix filed.

Brief amici curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, et al. filed.

Extension of time within which to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits to and including February 28, 2006.

Motion DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 3, 2006.

Consent to the filing of amicus briefs in support of either party received from counsel for the petitioner.

Motion to appoint counsel filed by petitioner Keshia Cherie Ashford Dixon.

Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED limited to Question one presented by the petition. (orders list)

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 13, 2006.

Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.

Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 19, 2005.

Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due November 18, 2005)

Keshia Cherie Ashford Dixon, Petitioner, represented by J. Craig Jett

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, et al., Respondent, represented by Elliot H. Scherker

United States, Respondent, represented by Paul D. Clement

United States, Respondent, represented by Irving L. Gornstein