Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a within-guidelines sentence of one hundred eighty months imposed on a defendant convicted of methamphetamine distribution. The court held that the defendant failed to demonstrate that the district court committed a clear error of judgment in balancing sentencing factors.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of a defendant challenging the constitutionality of a sentencing enhancement for illegal reentry. The court held that the defendant's argument was foreclosed by existing Supreme Court precedent regarding prior convictions.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of four defendants involved in a Kansas City drug-trafficking conspiracy. The court rejected challenges to search warrants, wiretaps, and the admission of rap lyrics as evidence of the group's criminal activities.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed a revocation sentence for supervised release, finding no abuse of discretion in the district court's application of sentencing factors. The court also granted the defendant's counsel's motion to withdraw from the appeal.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a conviction for escape from federal custody where state officials erroneously released the defendant. The court held that the evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant knew he was leaving confinement without permission.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the convictions of Kelvin Elias-Ramirez for human smuggling and conspiracy. The court held that any evidentiary errors regarding witness testimony and business records were harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that district courts possess inherent authority to set and enforce deadlines for the government to file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. The court further ruled that territorial offenses from the Virgin Islands qualify as predicate crimes of violence under federal firearm statutes.
The Ninth Circuit held that the Tax Injunction Act deprived the district court of subject matter jurisdiction over a challenge to Anchorage tax policies. The court affirmed the dismissal for lack of jurisdiction and vacated the dismissal on the merits, remanding with instructions to dismiss without prejudice.
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 weighing the defendant's medical conditions against the seriousness of her criminal conduct.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's revocation of Jutaurio Clemons's supervised release. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the victim's out-of-court identification despite the victim's initial confusion.