Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a three hundred month sentence for drug distribution offenses. The court held that the government did not breach the plea agreement by seeking a dangerous weapons enhancement.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for compassionate release. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding the defendant remained a danger to the public despite his chronic kidney disease.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a carjacking sentence where the defendant claimed entitlement to a sentencing reduction for acceptance of responsibility. The court held that the district court did not clearly err in denying the reduction because the defendant minimized his culpability and made inconsistent statements about the shooting.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal sua sponte because the district court's order was not a final judgment. The appellate court lacks jurisdiction to review partial dismissals that leave other claims pending without proper certification.
The Fifth Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw, finding no nonfrivolous issues for direct appeal. However, the court dismissed the appeal without prejudice because the record was insufficient to fairly evaluate the defendant's ineffective assistance claims.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed consecutive sentences for federal escape and supervised release revocation, finding the district court did not abuse its discretion in weighing sentencing factors. The court also granted counsel's motion to withdraw after an independent review found no non-frivolous issues for appeal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Olee Wonzo Robinson because the underlying order was not final. The court held that it lacks jurisdiction to review non-final orders under federal law.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part the appeal of a defendant convicted of firearm possession by a felon. The court upheld the validity of the defendant's guilty plea and appellate waiver while dismissing claims barred by the waiver.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court dismissal of a habeas corpus petition because the appellant failed to appeal the underlying dismissal order. The court held that the appellant abandoned the relevant issues by only challenging the denial of a motion for reconsideration.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking occurring within a foreign nation's Exclusive Economic Zone. The court held that Congress possesses authority under the Felonies Clause to prosecute such conduct and that a vessel becomes subject to U.S. jurisdiction when its master fails to claim nationality.
