Jones v. United States

Summary

Justice Ginsburg, writing for a unanimous Court, held that 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) does not cover arson of an owner-occupied residence used solely for noncommercial purposes. The statute requires active employment of the property in commerce or commerce-affecting activity; an interstate mortgage, insurance policy, or utility connection does not suffice. Constitutional avoidance, lenity, and respect for the federal-state balance reinforced that interpretation. The Court reversed and remanded without deciding the constitutional question. Justice Stevens, joined by Justice Thomas, emphasized that federal criminal statutes overlapping state authority should be construed narrowly absent clear congressional intent. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Scalia, reserved judgment on the statute’s constitutionality as applied to all commercially used buildings.