Category: Blog

In United States vs. Lewis, 17-7033, the Tenth Circuit offered guidance on how to apply Mathis to a Johnson Claim

In United States vs. Qunitero,  No. 17-20727 the Fifth Circuit held that an error in the sentencing guidelines could meet the plain error analysis. Quintero pled guilty to illegally re-entering the U.S. He wasoriginally scheduled for sentencing under the 2015 Guidelines, but was delayedto December after the 2016 Guidelines Manual had gone into effect. Quintero […]

In United States vs Desmond Camp, Sixth Circuit held that a Hobbs Act Robbery was not a proper enhancement for Career Offender.

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.