Topic
Every decision we've filed under Mandatory Minimum.
The First Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to reduce a life sentence under the First Step Act. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in weighing the defendant's heinous criminal record against his rehabilitative efforts.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for compassionate release. The court held that the defendant failed to demonstrate extraordinary and compelling reasons warranting a sentence reduction under the First Step Act.
The Seventh Circuit held that an Indiana child-molesting conviction qualifies as a prior state conviction "relating to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor or ward" under 18 U.S.C. Section 2252A(b)(2), triggering the ten-year mandatory minimum for Schatz's federal child-pornography conviction.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and life sentences of Justin Case Lebarron for drug trafficking offenses resulting in death. The court held that the penalty enhancement under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C) applies without requiring proof of proximate cause.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the convictions of John Devere Battle for multiple robbery-related offenses. The court also addressed sentencing issues related to statutory maximums and restitution.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part a federal prisoner's appeal of a denied Section twenty-two hundred fifty-five motion. The court held that the appellant failed to prove his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance regarding plea negotiations on mandatory minimum sentences.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress methamphetamine found during a pat-down search. The court vacated the defendant's sentence and remanded the case for resentencing due to an erroneous application of the career-offender enhancement.
The First Circuit affirmed the sentence of a registered sex offender convicted of attempting to entice a minor and transfer obscene material, rejecting claims of prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, and substantive unreasonableness.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence after determining that a high-speed car chase constituted violence under the federal sentencing safety valve. The court held that fleeing at speeds exceeding one hundred thirty-five miles per hour and striking another vehicle satisfied the statutory bar to relief.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a federal sentence requiring mandatory consecutive terms for firearm offenses under Section nine hundred twenty-four of Title eighteen. The court held that the district court properly clarified an ambiguity in the oral sentencing order to comply with statutory mandates.