WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 on June 18, 2026, in Hunter v. United States, that defendants could appeal a conviction or sentence despite an appellate waiver if enforcing the waiver would result in a miscarriage of justice. The Court vacated a previous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit concerning Munson Hunter.

The Court remanded the case, instructing the lower court to determine if enforcing Hunter's appeal waiver would lead to a miscarriage of justice. Justice Elena Kagan stated, "An agreement not to appeal a sentence is unenforceable when it would result in a miscarriage of justice—meaning, when it would leave in place the kind of egregious error that would bring the judicial system into disrepute."

In 2024, Munson Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting wire fraud. This plea agreement led the government to dismiss nine other counts against Hunter. Hunter waived his right to appeal his sentence, with the exception of claims related to his lawyer's performance and constitutional rights to representation.

A federal court sentenced Hunter to more than four years in prison. The sentence included a requirement for him to undergo mental health treatment and take medication as part of his supervised release. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit had ruled that Hunter's appeal waiver prevented him from challenging the condition of his supervised release. Justice Clarence Thomas issued the sole dissenting opinion in the Court's ruling.