Southern Union Co. v. United States

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the rule of Apprendi v. New Jersey applies to criminal fines, requiring that any fact increasing the maximum authorized fine be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court relied on the Sixth Amendment jury trial guarantee, historical practice where juries determined fine-setting facts, and the similarity between fines and other criminal penalties. Justice Breyer, joined by Kennedy and Alito, dissented, contending that history allowed judges to determine fine amounts and that the decision complicates sentencing.