This month, the government is asking for a pair of 10-year prison sentences for two Gree USA Inc. executives convicted of failing to report defective humidifiers. This comes after the two were found guilty of conspiracy to...more
Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently sparked debate by stating, “Like a firearm, AI can enhance the danger of a crime.” And just as prosecutors can seek enhanced sentences for offenses involving firearms, the...more
In what may come as a surprise to many, lawmakers across the political spectrum actually agree on at least one thing: the practice of sentencing federal defendants based on acquitted conduct has gone on long enough. Last...more
Key Takeaways - ..The Third Circuit recently decided that the loss enhancement to the fraud guideline in the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines applies only to “actual loss” and not to “intended loss.” ..While the primary...more
United States v. Yusuf (April 2, 2021), No. 19-3472 Unanimous decision: Jordan (writing), McKee, and Smith Concurrence: McKee Defendants pleaded guilty to their respective crimes and stipulated that they would not argue, at...more
Precedential Opinions of Note - Evidence from Outside Limitations Period Permissible to Prove Ongoing Scheme to Defraud - United States v. James (April 3, 2020), No. 19-1250...more
In United States v. Moran, the Second Circuit (Calabresi, Cabranes, Chin) affirmed the sentence of Lamont Moran, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin. ...more
On September 3, 2019, a divided panel issued a decision in United States v. Wallace (Winter, Pooler, Abrams, by designation) affirming the district court’s denial of Wallace’s suppression motion as well as Wallace’s 15-year...more
In United States v. Barrett, No. 14-2541 (2d Cir. Aug. 30, 2019) (Winter, Raggi, Droney), the Second Circuit vacated a defendant’s conviction for using a firearm in connection with a “crime of violence” under 18 U.S.C. §...more
In United States v. Ryan, 17-3919-cr (Jacobs, Lohier, Carney), the Second Circuit affirmed a four-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) for using a firearm in connection with another felony offense. Appellant...more
The Second Circuit (Walker, Cabranes, Sack) issued a per curiam decision in United States v. Bleau, 18-cr-1574 affirming a sentence based on a conviction for receiving and possessing child pornography, but remanding for...more
The Second Circuit (Leval, Lynch, Droney) issued a decision reversing a mandatory life sentence, finding plain error because the district court failed to apply the categorical approach when considering whether the...more
The Second Circuit has once again confronted the issue of what is a “controlled substance” for purposes of sentencing enhancements under the Guidelines. ...more
Most individuals convicted of federal money laundering charges face prison time. These prison sentences are often increased by the judge’s determination that certain sentencing enhancements unique to this crime apply. ...more
In a summary order issued on July 11, 2017, United States v. Burghardt, No. 16-949(L) (Katzmann, Pooler, Lynch), the Second Circuit remanded a 322-month Guidelines sentence for distribution and receipt of child pornography...more
The Supreme Court of the United States issued decisions in three cases yesterday: Rippo v. Baker, No. 16-6316: Petitioner Michael Damon Rippo moved to disqualify the Nevada state judge who presided over his criminal...more
In a summary order issued yesterday in United States v. Munteanu, No. 16-1254, the Second Circuit (Winter, Cabranes, Lynch) reiterated that a district court must make findings of fact before imposing an obstruction of justice...more
The United States Sentencing Commission recently adopted new guidelines for sentencing in cases involving fraud and economic crimes, seeking to better account for the actual harm to victims, individual culpability and the...more
In an article last fall, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff lamented the prevalence and process of plea bargaining in today’s criminal justice system. While plea bargains currently resolve an estimated 97 percent of federal...more
On April 9, 2015, the United States Sentencing Commission voted to approve changes to §2B1.1 of the sentencing guidelines. The changes will take effect on Nov. 1, 2015, unless Congress objects. If they go into effect, these...more