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Justices to Consider Breadth of a Federal Defendant’s Waiver of Appeal

The Supreme Court will hear Hunter v. United States on March 3, examining how far a federal defendant can waive appellate rights in a plea agreement. Munson Hunter pleaded guilty to wire fraud, received a 51‑month sentence and a broad waiver of direct appeal and habeas relief, except for ineffective‑counsel claims. After the district court reminded him of a right to appeal at sentencing, Hunter filed an appeal that the Fifth Circuit dismissed based on the waiver. The Court must decide whether the post‑sentencing advisement nullifies or narrows that waiver.