11th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

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

Mar 31 2026
8:24-cv-01528-SDM-AEP Per Curiam

JAMES M. HEYWARD v. DIANA MORELAND

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a federal lawsuit challenging a state court foreclosure judgment, ruling that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine bars federal courts from acting as appellate bodies over state court decisions. The court further held that absolute judicial immunity protects state judges from liability for official acts, even when the plaintiff alleges the judge lacked a proper oath of office.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Mar 31 2026
4:24-cr-00039-CDL-CHW-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANTONIO BELL

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Antonio Bell's 165-month sentence, ruling that the district court correctly applied a four-level sentencing enhancement for possessing a firearm in connection with methamphetamine distribution. The court further held that the sentence was substantively reasonable because the district court properly weighed the statutory factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 30 2026
3:24-cr-00107-TKW-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL STANTON, JR

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Christopher Stanton Jr.'s convictions for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a convicted felon. The court rejected Stanton's novel Second Amendment challenge, ruling that binding precedent forecloses the argument regarding felon possession while the drug trafficking enhancement argument failed to meet the plain error standard.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Plain Error Review
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Mar 30 2026
4:11-cr-00037-RH-CAS-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSE MISAEL GARFIAS-GARCIA

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for sentence reduction, ruling that time served and rehabilitation efforts do not constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons. The court granted the government's motion for summary affirmance, noting the appeal was frivolous given the defendant's prior unsuccessful attempts to raise these same claims.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 30 2026
1:20-cv-05231-JPB Published

A.G. v. Northbrook Industries, Inc. d.b.a. United Inn and Suites

The Eleventh Circuit clarified that hotel operators may be liable under the TVPRA if they provide personalized support to sex trafficking operations, going beyond mere room rentals. The court vacated summary judgments, ruling that plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence of staff participation and knowledge to create jury questions on civil liability.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Summary Judgment
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Mar 30 2026
9:11-cr-80176-WPD-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CALEB PRINCE

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a federal sentence of 24 months for supervised release violations, ruling that the district court properly ordered it to run consecutively to an existing state sentence. The court held that federal judges retain broad discretion to select consecutive sentences and that the Sentencing Guidelines explicitly favor this approach for release violations.

Criminal Robbery & Extortion Supervised Release
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