No. 25-7532October Term 2025Petition Pending
Julian Snipe, Petitioner v. United States
Julian Snipe asks the Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit’s dismissal of his criminal appeal under a broad appellate-waiver provision in his plea agreement.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
Julian Snipe asks the Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit’s dismissal of his criminal appeal under a broad appellate-waiver provision in his plea agreement. He argues that the waiver should not have barred claims involving alleged constitutional errors, sentences above the statutory maximum, and an alleged government breach of the plea agreement, particularly because the sentencing court described a narrower waiver.
Question presented
1. Whether the Court should hold this petition pending its decision in Hunter v. United States, No. 24-1063, and dispose of it accordingly, where the Second Circuit dismissed the criminal appeal as barred by an appellate waiver deemed to waive “all challenges,” and failed to consider contractual defenses, claims of unconstitutional and structural error that placed convictions and sentences for unadmitted murder-for-hire crimes against a second unadmitted victim outside the scope of the appellate waiver, claims sentences exceeded statutory maximums, and failed to address the government ’s breach by advocacy the defendant could be convicted and sentenced for unadmitted crimes it agreed to dismiss. 2. Whether the Court should hold this petition pending its decision in Hunter v. United States, No. 24-1063, and dispose of it accordingly, where the district court advised the defendant at sentencing of a far less restrictive appellate waiver than the plea agreement, or that applied by the Second Circuit, and the government did not object.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
Julian Snipe asks the Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit’s decision dismissing his criminal appeal under an appellate waiver in his plea agreement. He argues the waiver should not block claims of constitutional errors, sentences beyond legal limits, and a government breach of the agreement.
Argument
The case has not been scheduled for argument. Snipe argues that the Second Circuit treated his waiver as covering “all challenges,” even though the sentencing court described a narrower waiver and he alleges exceptions apply.
Impact
The case could affect defendants who sign plea agreements with appeal waivers but later claim serious errors occurred. For example, it could determine whether a defendant may challenge a sentence alleged to exceed the statutory maximum despite such a waiver.
What is at stake in Snipe v. United States?
The case concerns whether an appeal waiver can block claims of constitutional error, excessive sentences, and an alleged government breach of a plea agreement.
Who could be affected by the Snipe case?
Criminal defendants who accepted plea agreements with appeal waivers could be affected if they later claim their sentences exceeded legal limits or the government broke its promise.
What happens next in Snipe v. United States?
The Court will take another step on the petition, which may include holding the case while it decides Hunter v. United States.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology