Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Davon R. Williams for drug and firearm offenses. The court found no merit in the appellant's challenges regarding statutory interpretation, evidentiary sufficiency, and sentencing guidelines calculations.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of a prisoner's third motion for compassionate release. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding the defendant's circumstances were not extraordinary and compelling.
The Eighth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a defendant who had entered a plea agreement containing an appeal waiver. The court found the waiver valid and enforceable, concluding there were no non-frivolous issues for appeal outside its scope.
The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc in a Second Amendment challenge to California's switchblade regulations. The panel previously affirmed summary judgment for the state, ruling that the law constitutionally prohibits the concealed carry of switchblade knives.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling denying a prisoner's habeas corpus petition. The court held that the Bureau of Prisons retains authority to discipline inmates at the Administrative Maximum Facility and revoke earned good conduct time.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed an appeal by a defendant who challenged his sentence. The court held that the defendant had waived his right to appeal under the terms of his plea agreement.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a service member's habeas petition challenging his court-martial convictions. The court held that the military courts fully and fairly considered all of the petitioner's non-jurisdictional claims, precluding federal review on the merits.
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's grant of summary judgment to the Forest Service in an environmental law dispute. The panel held that the Alliance for the Wild Rockies did not forfeit its challenge to a forest project's exemption from environmental review by failing to raise the issue during the initial scoping process.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a forty-two-month sentence for a defendant convicted of conspiring to transport aliens. The court held that sufficient evidence supported a two-level sentencing enhancement based on a coconspirator's possession of a dangerous weapon.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court order granting summary judgment to Meineke Franchisor in a franchise dispute. The appellate court rejected multiple counterclaims alleging fraud, breach of covenant, and statutory violations by the CJGL Parties.
