UNITED STATES v. Josephine Artillaga Adams; Brian Adams, Claimants-Appellants. (2019)

Barton Adams, Josephine Adams, and Brian Adams (collectively, “Appellants”) seek to appeal the district court's order amending the final order of forfeiture in Barton Adams’ criminal case. The district court entered the final order of forfeiture, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(c)(2), on June 25, 2014. We dismissed Appellants’ appeal of the final order of forfeiture, holding that they lacked standing because the order had no bearing on any of their rights. United States v. Adams, 663 F. App'x 269, 272 (4th Cir. 2016); see Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2 advisory committee's note to 2000 adoption subdiv. (b); United States v. Flanders, 752 F.3d 1317, 1343 (11th Cir. 2014) (holding that criminal defendant lacks standing to appeal final order of forfeiture); Doe v. Pub. Citizen, 749 F.3d 246, 257 (4th Cir. 2014) (discussing standard for constitutional and prudential standing on appeal and holding that persons not bound or aggrieved by district court's order lack standing to appeal).

On September 18, 2018, the district court granted the Government's motion to amend the final order of forfeiture to correct a clerical error under Fed. R. Crim. P. 36. Appellants argue that the district court lacked the authority to amend the final order of forfeiture. We conclude that Appellants’ lack of standing to appeal the June 2014 final order of forfeiture is the law of the case. Carlson v. Bos. Sci. Corp., 856 F.3d 320, 325 (4th Cir. 2017) (describing law-of-the-case doctrine). Just as Appellants lacked standing to appeal the final order of forfeiture, they lack standing to appeal an amendment to that order.

We therefore dismiss the appeal and deny Appellants’ motions seeking the appointment of counsel, their motion challenging the district court's jurisdiction to enter the amended final order of forfeiture, and their motion to reconsider. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED

PER CURIAM:

Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.