Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in a dispute between competing title insurance companies. The court held that the defendants did not knowingly participate in breaches of fiduciary duty or violate non-solicitation agreements under Texas law.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a forty-eight-month sentence for illegal reentry. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance based on the defendant's criminal and removal history.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal after appointed counsel filed a motion to withdraw under Anders v. California. The court found the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issues for review.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Jose Cutberto Arellano-Alvarado for illegal reentry. The court held that the defendant's constitutional challenge to the statutory sentencing enhancement was foreclosed by existing precedent.
The Fifth Circuit granted the appointed attorney's motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal due to an insufficiently developed record. The court also denied the defendant's pro se motion to appoint new counsel as untimely.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Samuel Sweeley in an unpublished per curiam opinion. The court declined to address a potential error regarding a drug testing payment condition because the defendant did not challenge that specific aspect of his sentence.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Jose Ismael Ramirez-Gonzalez for illegal reentry and firearm possession by an alien. The court found ample evidence supported the jury's verdict and rejected challenges regarding the admission of a 911 call.
The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Charles Dandraon Seaton. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Michael Celestine for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court held that Celestine's constitutional challenges to the statute were foreclosed by existing precedent.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted Starbucks Corporation's petition for review and vacated the National Labor Relations Board's decision. The court held that the Board failed to adequately consider contradictory evidence regarding the termination of a union organizer.
