Snipe v. United States
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the Second Circuit’s judgment and sent Snipe’s case back for another look, without deciding whether his appeal was properly dismissed.
- Where it stands
- Case remanded
Remanded · October 5, 2026
- What it’s about
- Snipe challenged the Second Circuit’s appeal-waiver ruling, which barred claims about convictions and sentences for crimes he says he did not admit.
- Who it affects
- The Second Circuit must reconsider Snipe’s appeal in light of Hunter; the Supreme Court did not decide whether the waiver barred his claims.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court agreed to hear the case, wiped out the judgment (vacated it), and sent it back (remanded it) for another look in light of Hunter; it did not decide the claims.
Snipe argued that the sentencing judge described a narrower appeal waiver than the written plea agreement and that the government did not object.
The dispute concerns how broadly the appeal waiver in Snipe’s plea agreement applies to the claims he raised.
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.
What the Court decided
Holding
Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED. Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED for further consideration in light of Hunter v. United States , 608 U. S. 713 (2026).
- Result
- Remanded
What's next
The case returns to the Second Circuit for further consideration in light of Hunter v. United States.
Documents
Docket activity
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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.