Category: Blog

In the Wake of Dimaya, Congress Creates a Sweeping Definition of a “Crime of Violence” A recent op-ed in the New York Times characterizes the ideology of “America First” as having three pillars – isolationism, protectionism, and restricting immigration. The third pillar is on full display in Congress’s new bill in response to the United […]

SIXTH CIRCUIT FINDS CORRECTED SENTENCE ILLEGAL AND UNREASONABLE United States vs. Nichols, No. 17-5580 Nichols was convicted for felon in possession of a firearm in 2004. While the maximum for that offense is ten years imprisonment, he was enhanced under the Armed Career Criminal Act and received a sentence of 288 months. While in prison, […]

Collins vs. Virginia, 584 U. S. ____ (2018), No. 16–1027. The Supreme Court handed down an important search and seizure case in Collins.   Officers from the Albemarle County Police Department observed the same motorcycle driver commit a traffic infraction in two separate incidents.  In both situations, the cyclist got away from the officers. In both […]

The petitioners in Koons v. United States had committed crimes that invoked the use of the mandatory minimums. through the guideline ranges.

The Sentencing Reform Act requires a district court to calculate and consider a defendant’s Guidelines range in every case. Hughes v. United States, No. 17–155, 584 U. S. ____ (2018)   Eric Hughes accepted a plea deal in 2013 after being accused of four charges related to drug conspiracy. He pled guilty to conspiracy to […]

In a writ of certiorari to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Rosales-Mireles challenged his guideline range of punishment. 

6th Circuit finds plain error in case of Fleming and use of inaccurate news article. Case was vacated and remanded for resentencing.

In US vs. Ballard, the Second Circuit vacated and remanded a case for a new trial after prosecutor used improper argument in summation.

In United States vs. Aminov. No. 17-1703, the Third Circuit reversed a sentence based on plain error. Aminov was sentenced in 2011 for aiding and abetting in the production of a document without lawful authority. The PSI recommended a Sentencing Guidelines range of 0-6 months instead of the government’s suggested range of 12-16 months. Aminov was […]

United States v. Bethea, Seventh Circuit, No. 17-3468, 2018 WL 1959638 Bethea was charged with using fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase merchandise at retailers. He had a combined guilty plea and sentencing hearing. The judge was in his courtroom in Madison, WI. Bethea was in Milwaukee because of his health issues and limited mobility. The […]