Correspondent
Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit enforced an appeal waiver contained in a defendant's plea agreement. The court dismissed the defendant's appeal regarding his conviction and sentence.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for law enforcement officers in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case. The court held that the deputies were entitled to qualified immunity because their use of force was objectively reasonable and the law was not clearly established.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reviewed a district court dismissal based on the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of one sub-claim but reversed the dismissal of all other claims and remanded the case for further proceedings.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of emergency injunctive relief. The court held that the pro se appellant failed to argue how the lower court erred in her opening brief.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's civil rights action as frivolous. The court held that the district court properly exercised its inherent authority to dismiss a complaint based on fantastical allegations and a history of unmeritorious litigation.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se prisoner because the notice of appeal was untimely. The court found that the filing date fell outside the statutory deadlines for appealing the district court's orders.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a conviction for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting a challenge to a prolonged traffic stop and warrantless vehicle search. The court held that officer testimony regarding the smell of marijuana provided both reasonable suspicion to extend the stop and probable cause to search the vehicle under the automobile exception.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by a pro se litigant. The court held that the petitioner failed to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances required for such relief.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed a district court grant of federal habeas relief to a Texas prisoner. The appellate court held that the prisoner failed to demonstrate the prejudice necessary to overcome a procedural default in state court regarding DNA evidence claims.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the lower court's decision in a civil action involving CrowdStrike. The court issued a per curiam opinion without providing detailed reasoning.
