⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Ninth Circuit hears related appeals by Morris Junior and his father following a postal-money-order fraud trial. Both were convicted of conspiracy and bank fraud. The trial court found Junior recruited participants, gave them altered money orders and sometimes fake identification, and collected cash as the forms were converted through banks. The appeals raise questions about trial fairness, particularly the use of cooperating witnesses and the prosecution's disclosure obligations. Brady and Giglio concern evidence helpful to the defense, including information that could undermine a witness's credibility. Impeachment here means challenging credibility. Napue addresses the knowing use of false testimony and failure to correct known falsehoods. Materiality concerns the possible effect on the verdict, with different tests for these claims. You will hear about Rule six-oh-eight B. It restricts using documents or other outside evidence solely to prove a witness's character for untruthfulness; it is not a blanket ban on challenging credibility. SARs are suspicious activity reports, which flag potentially unlawful transactions, not criminal convictions. The father's lawyer also discusses plain error, a stricter review of certain claims not objected to at trial, and aiding and abetting, intentionally helping another person commit a crime. The court must separate disputes about witness credibility from legal errors that could require a new trial.

United States v. Morris, Jr. (No. 25-156) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued October 22, 2026.