--- title: "Puckett v. United States" citation: "Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129 (2009)" authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-PUCKETT-556-US-129" authority_type: "case" jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide" precedential_status: "binding" official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-556/pdf/USREPORTS-556-129.pdf" url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-PUCKETT-556-US-129/" legal_review: "2026-08-25" links_checked: "2026-10-15" links_available: 1 links_checked_count: 1 license: "CC BY 4.0" --- # Puckett v. United States ## Holding used An unpreserved government-breach claim receives ordinary plain-error review, and later breach does not retroactively invalidate a plea that was knowing and voluntary when entered. ## Material limitation Agreement construction, breach, prejudice, and remedy remain record- and claim-specific. ## Official source and pinpoints 556 U.S. 129, 133–43 (2009): ## Used in - [Plea Negotiations, Plea Agreements, and Rule 11](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/30-plea-and-trial/plea-negotiations-agreements-and-rule-11.md) - [Rules 35 and 36 — Sentence Correction, Assistance, Record Error, and Appeals](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/70-sentence-modification/rules-35-36-and-modification-appeals.md)