Case Explained: USA V. ESPINOZA-ROMERO

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-03 Docket: 1:24-cr-00155-AKB-3 The ninth-circuit dismissed the appeal because the defendant waived his right to challenge his sentence in a valid plea agreement. The court applied the standard that a knowing and voluntary appeal waiver is enforceable if it encompasses the specific grounds raised, citing *United States v. Harris*, 628 F.3d 1203 (9th Cir. 2011). Because the defendant did not argue that his waiver was involuntary or inapplicable to his claim regarding safety valve relief eligibility, the court declined to reach the merits of the challenge and dismissed the appeal. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.