No. 22-7650

Nolan Washington v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2023-05-26
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Relisted (2)IFP
Tags: circuit-split criminal-procedure mandatory-minimum safety-valve sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation supreme-court
Latest Conference: 2024-03-22 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the Di strict Court erred when i t (1) fel t constrai ned to i mpose the
mandatory mi nimum sentence, 120 months of i mpri sonment; (2) di d not appl y the
"Safety Val ve," 18 U .S.C. § 3553(f); and (3) di d not i mpose a presumpti vely
reasonabl e sentence wi thin the gui deline range of i mpri sonment cal culated by
Nolan Washi ngton's Presentence Investi gation Report ("PSR"). The Di strict Court
shoul d have read the "and" i n the "Safety Val ve," speci fically 18 U .S.C. § 3553(f)(1),
in the conjuncti ve and shoul d have cal culated Mr. Washi ngton's gui deline range of
impri sonment as determi ned by hi s PSR, 87-108 months of i mpri sonment.

Did the Fi fth Ci rcuit err when i t read the "and" i n § 3553(f)(1) i n the
disjuncti ve and/or when i t concl uded that cri minal defendants are 'i neligible for
safety val ve rel ief under § 3553(f)(1) i f they run afoul of any one of its requi rements.'
Palomares , 52 F.4th at 647 (emphasi s added).

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Fifth Circuit erred in its interpretation of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)(1)

Docket Entries

2024-03-25
Petition DENIED.
2024-03-18
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/22/2024.
2023-07-13
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/26/2023.
2023-06-26
Memorandum of respondent United States filed.
2023-05-24
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due June 26, 2023)

Attorneys

Nolan Washington
Douglas Lee HarvilleThe Harville Law Firm, LLC, Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. Prelogar — Respondent