Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal sua sponte because the district court's order was not final. The appellate court lacks jurisdiction to review a partial dismissal when the case remains pending on other counts without Rule 54(b) certification.
The Eleventh Circuit summarily affirmed Eibe Scott's conviction for felon-in-possession, rejecting his Second Amendment challenges as foreclosed by binding precedent. The court held that its prior decision in United States v. Rozier remains controlling law despite recent Supreme Court rulings.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's order civilly committing a defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity, holding that substantial evidence supported the finding that his mental illness posed a substantial risk of bodily injury to others if released. The court concluded that the statutory criteria for continued custody were met despite the defendant's stable condition in a structured facility.
The Eleventh Circuit reversed summary judgment against Forest River, Inc. while affirming it against Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation in a Florida Lemon Law dispute. The court held that statutory presumptions regarding repair attempts are not mandatory requirements, creating a genuine issue of material fact for Forest River that precludes summary judgment.
The Eleventh Circuit reversed a dismissal, holding that Florida's corporate shield doctrine does not protect a Mexican heiress who sent cease-and-desist letters in her personal capacity. The court further ruled that sending tortious letters targeting Florida business partners satisfies the minimum contacts test for specific personal jurisdiction under the Due Process Clause.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court order authorizing the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medication to restore a defendant's competency to stand trial. Applying the strict four-factor standard from Sell v. United States, the court found the government met its burden by showing a compelling interest in prosecution and that medication was medically necessary and less intrusive alternatives were ineffective.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Hector Caballero's convictions and 210-month sentence for drug trafficking aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The court rejected Caballero's constitutional challenges to the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act and found no error in the district court's sentencing calculations or substantive reasonableness.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an insurance coverage complaint, ruling that the plaintiff failed to plead sufficient facts to support a breach of contract claim under Florida law. The court further held that the district court properly denied leave to amend the complaint because the proposed amendments would have been futile given the policy's specific exclusions.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 42-month prison sentence for a federal inmate who stabbed a fellow prisoner with a shank, rejecting claims that the sentence was unreasonably high. The court held that the district judge properly weighed the statutory factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and the Guidelines' recommendation of ten to sixteen months against the defendant's violent conduct.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Robert Walker's civil suit against judges, a law firm, and the Florida Bar for failure to state a claim. However, the court remanded the case to correct the procedural record, ordering that dismissals based on sovereign immunity be entered without prejudice to allow for potential refiling.