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.

Jan 21 2026
3:21-cr-00014-TCB-RGV-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEFAN EBERHARD ZAPPEY

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Stefan Zappey's conviction for sexually abusing children at a Department of Defense school in Germany, ruling that the district court properly limited expert testimony on memory reliability. The court held that while general science on memory is admissible, experts cannot opine on witness credibility or present cumulative testimony that duplicates other evidence.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Jan 9 2026
1:23-cv-02999-MHC Published

Baker v. City of Atlanta

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction that had prohibited the City of Atlanta from enforcing a residency requirement for referendum signature gatherers. The court held that under controlling Georgia state law, the plaintiffs lacked the right to utilize a referendum petition to challenge a local ordinance, thereby failing to demonstrate the irreparable harm necessary for injunctive relief.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Preliminary Injunction
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Jan 7 2026
1:21-cr-00385-ELR-JSA-5 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ABDOULAYE BARRY

The Eleventh Circuit vacated Abdoulaye Barry's sentence because the district court failed to make individualized findings regarding the scope of his jointly undertaken criminal activity before holding him accountable for his codefendants' losses. The court remanded the case for resentencing to correct the loss calculation and a clerical error in the criminal judgment.

Criminal Embezzlement & Forgery Fraud Sentencing Guidelines
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Jan 7 2026
1:21-cv-21698-DPG Published

Athos Overseas Limited Corp. v. YouTube, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for YouTube and Google, holding that their copyright management tools do not constitute actual or red flag knowledge of infringement under the DMCA. The court further ruled that YouTube's general ability to moderate content does not amount to the right and ability to control infringing activity required to lose safe harbor protection.

Civil Intellectual Property Summary Judgment
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Jan 5 2026
8:22-cr-00042-SCB-CPT-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JY'QUALE SAMARI GRABLE

The Eleventh Circuit held that the Hobbs Act requires force or threatened force to be used before or during the taking of property to constitute robbery. Because the defendant used force only after the property was stolen and carried away, the court set aside his Hobbs Act robbery conviction.

Criminal Firearms
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Jan 5 2026
24-13788 Per Curiam

Ginna Alejandra Gutierrez-Mikan v. U.S. Attorney General

The Eleventh Circuit denied a petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision rejecting asylum and Convention Against Torture claims by Colombian nationals. The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency's finding that the Colombian government did not acquiesce to FARC violence and that the petitioner failed to meet procedural requirements for an ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Dec 23 2025
1:21-cr-00052-JB-MU-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ERIKA KELLEY DAY

The Eleventh Circuit held that a district court lacks authority to depart below a statutory minimum sentence for one offense based solely on a government motion for substantial assistance regarding a separate offense. The court vacated the judgment and remanded for resentencing to ensure compliance with the specific statutory minimums attached to each count.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms
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Dec 22 2025
1:22-cv-00361-JB-C Published

Elena Mukhina v. Walmart, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment against an employee's claims of national origin discrimination, religious discrimination, and retaliation. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove a hostile work environment based on national origin and failed to exhaust administrative remedies for her religious discrimination claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Dec 22 2025
8:20-cv-02697-VMC-AEP Per Curiam

Mullin v. Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court's summary judgment on a federal employee's claim that the Department of Veterans Affairs unlawfully disclosed her confidential medical information. The court affirmed summary judgment on her claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation, finding the Department provided reasonable accommodations and that the adverse actions were not solely based on her disability.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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