Sumner v. Mata

Sumner v. Mata
Argued December 9, 1980
Decided January 21, 1981
Full case nameSumner v. Mata
Citations449 U.S. 539 (more)
Court membership
Chief Justice
Warren E. Burger
Associate Justices
William J. Brennan Jr. · Potter Stewart
Byron White · Thurgood Marshall
Harry Blackmun · Lewis F. Powell Jr.
William Rehnquist · John P. Stevens
Case opinions
MajorityRehnquist, joined by Burger, Stewart, White, Powell
ConcurrenceBlackmun
DissentBrennan, joined by Marshall, Stevens

Sumner v. Mata, 449 U.S. 539, was a United States Supreme Court case that limited the jurisdiction of federal courts to review state court factual determinations under 28 USC § 2254(e). Writing for the majority, Justice William Rehnquist asserted the "interest in federalism recognized by Congress" in the habeas statute. Rehnquist's decision in Mata marked a turning point for federal habeas review.