8th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

May 1 2026
25-2665 Panel Decision

John Carl Michel, Jr. v. Honeywell International Cigna Life Insurance Company of North America 1-10 Does

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of wrongful termination and defamation claims against Honeywell and summary judgment for the insurers regarding disability benefits. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove an employment contract exception, missed the statutory deadline for discrimination claims, and could not overcome statutory privilege for defamation.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Securities Summary Judgment
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Apr 30 2026
25-2709 Panel Decision

Allen Pyron v. Johnston

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Section nineteen eighty-three action brought by civilly committed individuals against Minnesota Sex Offender Program officials. The court held that the district court properly dismissed the claims for failure to state a claim and did not err in proceeding without a magistrate judge recommendation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 30 2026
25-1645 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Christopher William Weigert

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the revocation of supervised release and a 12-month sentence, ruling that the district court did not clearly err in finding drug use and new law violations based on witness testimony. The court further held that the sentence was substantively reasonable given the defendant's refusal to take responsibility for his actions.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Apr 29 2026
25-6017 Panel Decision

In re: Robert Duane Wagner

The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Eighth Circuit dismissed an appeal because the debtor-appellant died and no personal representative was substituted within a reasonable time. The court held that without a party to prosecute the case, continuing the proceedings is improper under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 8023.1.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Apr 29 2026
25-1533 Panel Decision

Jabbok Schlacks; William Schlacks v. Neil Chheda; Schlacks 2020 Transfer, LLC; RC Opportunity, LLC

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to compel arbitration, holding that the Schlacks brothers were not parties bound by the partnership agreement's arbitration clause. The court found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the brothers agreed to delegate arbitrability questions to an arbitrator or that equitable estoppel and agency principles applied to bind them.

Constitutional Second Amendment
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Apr 29 2026
24-3345 Panel Decision

Judith Etelvina Cancinos Guinac v. Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General of the United States

The Eighth Circuit denied petitions for review of Board of Immigration Appeals orders rejecting motions to reopen immigration proceedings. The court held that the petitioner failed to exercise the due diligence required to equitably toll the filing deadline for her ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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