Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion for reconsideration regarding a sentence reduction. The court held that a statutory life sentence for carjacking resulting in death could not be altered by a retroactive change to the Sentencing Guidelines.
The Ninth Circuit granted a petition for review regarding the denial of counsel to an immigration petitioner. The court remanded the case for a new hearing after finding the immigration judge failed to provide a reasonable time to secure legal representation.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence for firearm possession and witness tampering. The court held that the district court correctly calculated the base offense level and did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the defendant's arguments for a downward departure.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by the Federal Public Defender to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted a petition for review and vacated an immigration order due to procedural errors by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The court found that the agency failed to properly analyze the likelihood of collateral relief when denying a continuance for a U visa application.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Darren Tramaine Jackson for methamphetamine distribution and conspiracy. The court rejected arguments regarding insufficient evidence and the admission of prior conviction evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence four zero four B.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Mark Leslie Lively for drug trafficking offenses. The court found no reversible error regarding the suppression of evidence or alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
The Fifth Circuit dismissed part of a tax fraud defendant's appeal for lack of jurisdiction and affirmed the remainder of his conviction and sentence. The court also dismissed a separate appeal regarding bail pending appeal as moot.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Black Lung Benefits Act award. The court affirmed that an administrative law judge properly weighed conflicting medical evidence to find a miner totally disabled.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the convictions of Gary Cunningham for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting drug distribution. The court found sufficient evidence of coordination between Cunningham and a co-defendant to overcome claims of mere presence and buyer-seller exceptions.
