1. Whether a federal judge who is not properly designated under 28 U.S.C. §§ 291-296 may lawfully preside over a criminal case and its post-conviction proceedings, thereby violating Article III and due process guarantees.

2. Whether a final judgment issued in a proceeding overseen by a judge lacking lawful authority is void under Rule 60(b)(4), and whether a court's refusal to correct such error violates due process.

3. Whether the Second Circuit's summary affirmance of a constitutionally defective judgment without addressing the jurisdictional designation issue violates the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of meaningful appellate review.

Whether a federal judge elevated to an appellate court can lawfully preside over district court proceedings without proper statutory designation