Topic

Criminal

Every decision we've filed under Criminal.

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Civil 2101 Summary Judgment 471 Sentencing Guidelines 419 Civil Rights - Section 1983 399 Immigration (Civil) 358 Constitutional 353 Supervised Release 289 Drug Trafficking 275 Firearms 215 Civil Rights - Employment 205 Intellectual Property 160 Qualified Immunity 153
Apr 27 2026
7th Cir. 24-3329 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ERLIN LUCERO-ASENCIO

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 324-month sentence for drug trafficking, ruling that defense counsel's explicit agreement with the Presentence Report's drug quantity constituted a deliberate waiver of any challenge to those facts. The court held that strategic choices made during sentencing cannot be undone on appeal simply because they later appear unwise.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 8:24-cr-00098-MSS-CPT-2 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. NOEL ALFREDO GARCIA

The Eleventh Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw from representation after an independent review found no arguable issues for appeal. The court affirmed the defendant's convictions and sentences, concluding the record revealed a complete lack of merit in his challenges.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11186 Per Curiam

United States v. Valentine

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Willie Ray Valentine, finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review. The court dismissed the appeal pursuant to Fifth Circuit Rule 42.2 after a thorough examination of the record.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
7th Cir. 25-2249 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL J. MADIGAN

The Seventh Circuit affirmed Michael Madigan's federal bribery convictions, ruling that wiretap recordings and circumstantial evidence sufficiently proved a quid pro quo exchange between the former Illinois Speaker and utility company ComEd. The court further held that jury instructions regarding the definition of official acts and corrupt intent were legally sound and not prejudicial.

Criminal Fraud
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cr-20385-CMA-2 Per Curiam

United States v. Henriquez

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.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11118 Per Curiam

United States v. Coulson

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Thomas Eugene Coulson after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. The court dismissed the appeal without addressing the merits of the underlying conviction.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 8:23-cr-00361-WFJ-CPT-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEPHEN JAY THORN

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 60-month prison sentence for a defendant who made multiple interstate threats against a federal judge and her family. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to impose an upward variance based on the premeditated and terroristic nature of the conduct, despite the defendant's arguments regarding mitigating personal history.

Criminal Sex Offenses
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11100 Per Curiam

United States v. Hawkins

The Fifth Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal after determining the case presented no nonfrivolous issues for review. The court applied the Anders standard to conclude that the defendant's appeal lacked merit.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 3:24-cr-00058-TKW-1 Per Curiam

United States v. David Gerome Kennedy

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed David Gerome Kennedy's 180-month sentence for drug conspiracy and possession, rejecting his claim that the district court plainly erred in applying sentencing enhancements for firearm possession and maintaining a premises for drug distribution. The court found sufficient evidence that Kennedy possessed firearms related to his drug trafficking and used the Milton residence as a primary site for distributing controlled substances.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11004 Per Curiam

United States v. O'Toole

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Scott Wayne O'Toole on appeal. The court dismissed the appeal after determining that no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review existed.

Anders Brief Criminal
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