No. 25-524October Term 2025DismissedUpdated Sep 12, 2026
Cedric Ray Jones v. United States
Case status
Where it stands
The case ended without a full Supreme Court ruling on the merits.
What it's about
Cedric Ray Jones sought Supreme Court review of a Fifth Circuit ruling enforcing a waiver that limited his ability to challenge his conviction or sentence on appeal or collateral review. The case concerned whether courts may recognize exceptions to such waivers beyond ineffective assistance of counsel and sentences above the statutory maximum; the petition was dismissed.
Question presented
Whether the only permissible exceptions to a general appeal waiver are for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or that the sentence exceeds the statutory maximum?
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED. Statement of Justice Sotomayor respecting the denial of certiorari. (Detached Opinion )
Why it matters
Appeal waivers can limit a defendant's ability to challenge a conviction or sentence after a guilty plea. For people with similar waivers in the Fifth Circuit, the lower-court decision remains in place.
The case concerned whether courts may recognize exceptions to general appeal waivers beyond ineffective assistance of counsel or a sentence above the statutory maximum.
Case file
Documents
Opinions
Key filings
Related cases
In Re Ryan P. GiveyDismissed25-6881Dismissed
In Re Patrick Starzenski, PetitionerDismissed25-7296Dismissed
In Re Gurjot Singh Dhaliwal, PetitionerDismissed25-7502Dismissed
Kenneth Genalo, Director of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement v. Carol Williams BlackDismissed25-886Docket activity
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Opinion added: Opinion
Brief added: Petition
More questions
- What did the Supreme Court do in Jones v. United States?
- The Court declined to review the case. It did not decide whether appeal waivers may have exceptions beyond the ones Jones identified.
- Who is affected by Jones v. United States?
- People whose cases are governed by the Fifth Circuit and who signed similar appeal waivers may be affected. The Fifth Circuit decision remains in place.
- What happens next after the denial in Jones v. United States?
- The Supreme Court case is over. The Fifth Circuit's judgment remains effective for Jones's case.
- Is the Fifth Circuit's approach to appeal waivers still in place after Jones v. United States?
- Yes. The Court's refusal to review the case left the Fifth Circuit decision in place, without endorsing or rejecting its reasoning.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.