Cedric Ray Jones v. United States

Jones asked the Supreme Court to review a Fifth Circuit case about how far a general appeal waiver (a promise not to appeal) can reach. The question is whether the only exceptions are ineffective assistance of counsel or a sentence longer than the law allows.

Oral argument has not been scheduled in Jones. The petition says the case presents the same question the Court agreed to review in Hunter v. United States.

This matters to federal defendants who signed broad waivers and later want to challenge a sentence. For example, someone claiming a serious sentencing error might be blocked unless the claim fits one of those two categories.

It asks whether a general appeal waiver has only two exceptions: ineffective assistance of counsel and a sentence longer than the law allows.

Federal defendants who signed broad appeal waivers could lose the chance to raise other sentencing claims. Prosecutors and trial courts would also get a clearer rule.

Watch for oral argument or another scheduling move from the Court. No argument date or decision window is available yet.