No. 25-6674

Justin K. Eaton v. United States

Lower Court: Eighth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-29
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: appellate-procedure circuit-split commission-authority congressional-review due-process sentencing-guidelines
Key Terms:
DueProcess
Latest Conference: 2026-02-27
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines §1B1.13(b)(6) exceeds the Sentencing Commission's authority when Congress has reviewed and ratified the guideline under 28 U.S.C. §994

Question Presented (from Petition)

I. Can U.S.S.G. §1B1.13(b)(6) be held to be an "excess of author ity" by the Commission when Congress has reviewed and rati fied that guideline pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §994? II. Does the 8th Circuit's practice of denying pro se inmates the opportunity to brief their appeals violate the Due Pro cess Clause of the 5th Amendment and the Federal Rules of Procedure? III. Does a summary denial bereft of reason satisfy the require ment of "Rita v. United States," 551 US 338 (2007) that the record reflects the Court considered the parties' arguments? i

Docket Entries

2026-02-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/27/2026.
2026-02-05
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-02-05
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-12-10
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 2, 2026)

Attorneys

Justin K. Eaton
Justin K. Eaton — Petitioner
Justin K. Eaton — Petitioner
Justin K. Eaton — Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent