Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed an above-guidelines sentence for a defendant who facilitated a straw purchase of a firearm that was later used to kill a police officer. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to vary from the Sentencing Guidelines based on the unique circumstances and consequences of the offense.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking occurring within Colombia's Exclusive Economic Zone. The court rejected arguments that the statute is unconstitutional or lacks jurisdictional nexus, holding that the vessel was stateless because the master failed to claim nationality.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed Deshawn Stephone Hester's conviction for firearm possession by a felon while dismissing his appeal regarding sentence reasonableness due to a valid appellate waiver. The court found the district court's Rule 11 colloquy sufficient to establish that Hester's guilty plea was voluntary and that his waiver of appeal rights was knowingly entered.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the federal corruption convictions of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. The court found sufficient evidence that Madigan exchanged legislative influence for financial benefits funneled to his political allies.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed drug trafficking convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, rejecting challenges that the statute lacks constitutional authority over offenses in foreign Exclusive Economic Zones. The court held that the vessel was subject to U.S. jurisdiction because the master failed to claim nationality, and that foreign cooperation does not strip American courts of authority.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed Nikonda Taye Ingram's conviction and sentence after finding his plea agreement waiver of appeal rights was valid and knowing. The court dismissed the appeal on issues covered by the waiver and found no meritorious grounds for appeal outside that scope following an Anders review.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking within a foreign nation's exclusive economic zone. The court rejected challenges regarding subject-matter jurisdiction, the vessel's nationality, and due process violations.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed an above-guidelines sentence for a defendant convicted of conspiring to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the standard sentencing guideline for straw purchasers due to the unique and violent consequences of the defendant's actions.