Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions of Joan Manuel Estadella for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The court rejected challenges to the denial of a motion to suppress, the admission of evidence, and the sentencing calculation based on drug purity.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Javier Hernandez's convictions for migrant smuggling, transporting stolen vessels, and money laundering. The court held that the government's extraction of cell phone data after a warrant's expiration date was lawful under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 and that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's verdict.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that a school district complied with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by moving a student with Down syndrome from one special education class to another. However, the court reversed the lower court's dismissal of the case as moot regarding the student's alternative assessment placement and ordered a remand for further proceedings.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied a petition for rehearing en banc in a capital habeas case. The panel decision upholding the death sentence remains in effect despite dissenting arguments regarding jury hesitation and ineffective assistance of counsel.
The Eleventh Circuit held that the generic federal definition of rape does not include digital penetration. Consequently, a District of Columbia conviction for attempted first-degree sexual abuse based on digital penetration does not categorically qualify as an aggravated felony of rape under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The Eleventh Circuit established a new standard for compassionate release, requiring inmates to prove that no other person is both qualified and free to care for an incapacitated family member. Applying this rule, the court affirmed the denial of Rufino Robelo-Galo's petition because his son was found to be an available alternative caregiver.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Winston Calder's federal habeas petition, holding that the state court's finding of no prejudice constituted an adjudication on the merits under AEDPA. The court concluded that the state court's determination that the evidence was sufficient for conviction without the challenged impeachment statement was not an unreasonable application of federal law.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a franchisee's fraudulent transfer claims, holding that a settlement agreement barring non-FLSA claims remains enforceable even if the FLSA claims within it lacked required court approval. The court clarified that while the Fair Labor Standards Act mandates judicial or Department of Labor oversight for wage claims, state contract law governs the release of all other claims settled in the same agreement.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Tomario Hicks's 180-month sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, ruling that his prior marijuana convictions qualified as predicate offenses under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court also rejected Hicks's Second Amendment challenge, holding that binding precedent prohibits felons from possessing firearms regardless of recent Supreme Court rulings.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Malachi Mullings's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, rejecting his claim that his attorney coerced him into pleading. The court also upheld his 120-month sentence, finding no procedural or substantive unreasonableness in the district court's application of sentencing enhancements.