MANDATE ISSUED.

Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Roberts, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Breyer, and Alito, JJ., joined. Sotomayor, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Ginsburg and Kagan, JJ., joined.

Argued. For petitioner: Clifford M. Sloan, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Dustin McDaniel, Attorney General, Little Rock, Ark.

Motion of Michigan, et al. for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument DENIED. (orders list)

Reply of petitioner Alex Blueford filed. (Distributed)

Motion of Michigan, et al. for leave to participate in oral argument as amici curiae and for divided argument filed.

CIRCULATED

Brief amici curiae of Michigan, et al. filed.

Record from Supreme Court of Arkansas is electronic.

Arkansas Supreme Court Record received (Electronic)

Brief of respondent Arkansas filed.

The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including January 3, 2012.

SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed.

Brief amici curiae of Criminal Law Professors filed.

Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountabiity Center filed.

Brief of petitioner Alex Blueford filed.

Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)

Petition GRANTED. (orders list)

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 7, 2011.

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 26, 2011.

Reply of petitioner Alex Blueford filed.

Brief of respondent Arkansas in opposition filed.

Brief amici curiae of Criminal Law Professors filed.

Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed.

Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountabiity Center filed.

Response Requested . (Due June 22, 2011)

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 2, 2011.

Waiver of right of respondent Arkansas to respond filed.

Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 27, 2011)

Alex Blueford, Petitioner, represented by Clifford M. Sloan

Arkansas, Respondent, represented by David R. Raupp

Arkansas, Respondent, represented by Dustin McDaniel

Constitutional Accountabiity Center, Amicus Curiae, represented by Elizabeth B. Wydra

Criminal Law Professors, Amicus Curiae, represented by Charles G. Curtis Jr.

Criminal Law Professors, Amicus Curiae, represented by Lisa S. Blatt

Michigan, et al., Amicus Curiae, represented by John J. Bursch

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Amicus Curiae, represented by Christopher Egleson