Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Retroactive Punishment

Petitioner Holsey Ellingburg Jr. urged the Supreme Court to take up the case to resolve a split among the federal courts.

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on April 3, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 7 agreed to hear the appeal of a former prisoner who claims he was unconstitutionally punished when his restitution payments were extended.

The Constitution’s ex post facto clause forbids laws that retroactively enhance punishment for a crime after it was committed.