Alsol v. Mukasey, 548 F.3d 207 (2d Cir. Nov. 14, 2008) (New York conviction for simple possession, in violation of New York Penal Law 220.03, is not an aggravated felony, even though it was a subsequent conviction; "second conviction for simple controlled substance possession under state law is not a felony under the Controlled Substances Act because the offense of conviction does not proscribe conduct punishable as a felony as it does not correspond in any meaningful way with the federal crime of recidivist possession even if it could have been prosecuted in state court as a recidivist offense. We further clarify that our decision in United States v. Simpson, 319 F.3d 81 (2d Cir.2002), did not hold to the contrary.").
jurisdiction:
Second Circuit