Episode
Oral Argument Re-Listen: Hunter v. United States | Judicial Review for Pleas that Cause A Miscarriage of Justice
- Podcast
- The High Court Report
- Published
- Jun 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5786
- Processing state
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Summary
Hunter v. United States | Case No. 24-1063 | Docket Link: Here | Argued: 03/03/2026 | Decided: 06/18/2026 Overview: A plea deal's appeal waiver collides with a forced-medication sentence, pushing the Supreme Court to decide when courts can void a waiver — reshaping appellate rights for the ninety-five percent of federal defendants who plead guilty. Oral Advocates: For Petitioner: Lisa S. Blatt of Williams & Connolly LLP argued for Petitioner Hunter. For Respondent: Zoe A. Jacoby, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, argued for Respondent United States. Question Presented: Whether an appeal waiver remains enforceable when enforcing it would create a miscarriage of justice in sentencing. Posture: Fifth Circuit dismissed Hunter's appeal under the waiver; Court granted certiorari to resolve a split. Main Arguments: Petitioner (Hunter): (1) Contract defenses like frustration of purpose render the waiver unenforceable for egregious sentencing errors; (2) the judge's on-record statement granting appeal rights, paired with the prosecutor's silence, voids the waiver; (3) courts must recognize a miscarriage-of-justice exception to prevent egregious, unconstitutional sentencing conditions from escaping all appellate review. Respondent (United States): (1) A knowing and voluntary appeal waiver binds the defendant according to its plain terms; (2) only two narrow exceptions ever excuse a waiver — ineffective assistance and an above-maximum sentence; (3) a broad miscarriage-of-justice exception floods appellate courts and undercuts the value of plea bargaining nationwide. Holding: An agreement not to appeal a sentence is unenforceable when it would result in a miscarriage of justice — meaning, when it would leave in place the kind of egregious error that wo…