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 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 27 2026
1:23-cv-04506-VMC Per Curiam

KEVIN L. SHEHEE v. DIANA ANN LYNCH DIANA LYNCH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIVING TRUST LYNCH LAW GROUP, INC a Georgia Business Corporation LYNCH LAND, HOLDINGS, LLC a Georgia Limited...

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a pro se plaintiff's motion to amend his complaint, ruling that the proposed changes were futile. The court held that leniency for self-represented litigants does not require rewriting deficient pleadings to cure fatal legal defects.

Criminal Fraud
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Mar 27 2026
1:23-cr-20185-CMA-2 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANGEL LUVI-RAMIREZ

The Eleventh Circuit granted the government's motion for summary affirmance, rejecting challenges to the defendants' convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The court held that the United States properly exercised jurisdiction over a vessel without nationality in international waters, even when located within another nation's exclusive economic zone.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 27 2026
1:18-cv-04753-TWT Per Curiam

IRVIN E. CARAWAY, II v. EQUIFAX

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Irvin E. Caraway II's appeal for lack of jurisdiction because his notice of appeal was filed after the deadline expired. The court held that the district court's failure to issue a separate judgment document delayed the entry of the order until 150 days later, rendering the appellant's filing untimely.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Mar 27 2026
8:22-cr-00441-CEH-LSG-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KIMBERLY KIEHL

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Kimberly Kiehl's conviction and sentence, ruling that her prior failure to object to the magistrate judge's report waived her challenge to the voluntariness of her guilty plea. The court further held that the sentence appeal waiver was enforceable because the magistrate judge explicitly explained its scope during the plea colloquy.

Criminal Fraud Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 27 2026
1:23-cv-00309-MU Per Curiam

KEITH COOPER v. AIRBUS AMERICAS, INC

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Airbus, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove race discrimination or retaliation under Title VII and Section 1981. The court held that the employer's reasons for termination were legitimate and that the plaintiff could not demonstrate that similarly situated employees outside his protected class were treated more favorably.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Mar 26 2026
8:17-cr-00097-WFJ-TGW-3 Per Curiam

United States v. Parrales Bravo

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to reduce a drug trafficking sentence based on a retroactive Sentencing Guidelines amendment. The court held that the district court properly weighed the statutory factors and did not abuse its discretion by emphasizing the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's lack of cooperation.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 26 2026
4:24-cr-00003-MW-MAF-2 Per Curiam

United States v. Blackshear, III

The Eleventh Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw from representing Cleveland Blackshear, III, after an independent review found no arguable issues of merit for the direct criminal appeal. Consequently, the court affirmed Blackshear's convictions and total sentence.

Anders Brief Criminal
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