5th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

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

Mar 25 2026
25-60247 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Zipora Hudson Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Zipora Hudson's conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, ruling that the evidence was sufficient to prove she knowingly facilitated fraudulent PPP loan applications. The court held that a reasonable jury could find Hudson guilty based on her active participation in directing ineligible clients to her son and orchestrating the resulting kickbacks.

Criminal Fraud
Read summary →
Mar 25 2026
25-60279 Per Curiam

Summary Calendar Sher Bahadur KC v. Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture protection to a Nepalese citizen who failed to appear at his immigration hearing. The court held that the petitioner's erroneous assumptions about prior notices and venue motions did not constitute the 'exceptional circumstances' required to vacate an in absentia removal order.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 25 2026
25-30294 Per Curiam

United States v. Calderon

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, ruling that the defendant forfeited his challenge to the traffic stop's duration by failing to address an independent basis for the district court's ruling. The court also found no clear error in the lower court's determination that the defendant's consent to search his vehicle was voluntary under the totality of the circumstances.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
Read summary →
Mar 25 2026
24-10788 Panel Decision

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Timothy Barton

The Fifth Circuit dismissed Timothy Barton's appeal regarding specific receivership orders for lack of jurisdiction while affirming the district court's approval of a property sale. The court clarified that while receiverships have broad powers to manage assets, interlocutory appeals are limited to orders appointing receivers or refusing to wind them up.

Bankruptcy Civil
Read summary →
Mar 25 2026
24-40825 Per Curiam

United States v. Lacandreal Shokitra Jackson

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the sentence and restitution order for a defendant convicted of PPP wire fraud conspiracy, rejecting her challenges to the loss calculation and mass-marketing enhancement. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion by relying on conservative estimates from the Presentence Report that the defendant failed to rebut with evidence.

Criminal Fraud Plain Error Review Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 24 2026
24-60592 Panel Decision

Jose Fuentes-Pineda v. Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General

The Fifth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' refusal to grant deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture. The court found substantial evidence supported the conclusion that El Salvador's prison conditions are not specifically intended to inflict torture and that the petitioner's future risk of torture remains speculative.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 24 2026
24-40692 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Carlos Cardenas-Ramirez

The Fifth Circuit denied the petition for rehearing en banc, affirming that it remains bound by Supreme Court precedent allowing sentencing courts to consider conduct for which a defendant was acquitted. While the court expressed deep concern regarding the constitutional and fairness implications of this practice, it concluded that the specific facts of this case did not warrant a departure from binding authority.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 23 2026
25-60188 Panel Decision

Glen A. Hardwick v. Federal Aviation Administration; Bryan Bedford Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration

The Fifth Circuit denied a petition for review upholding a 150-day suspension of a pilot's license for flying an aircraft with a tail number that did not match its registration documents. The court found the pilot failed to meet the narrow standard for reasonable reliance and that the administrative nature of the violation did not preclude a safety sanction.

Civil Securities
Read summary →
Mar 23 2026
24-40704 Per Curiam

Greg Murphy v. Beaumont Independent School District; Shannon Allen

The Fifth Circuit vacated the district court's grant of summary judgment on Greg Murphy's due process claims, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding his entitlement to premium pay under school district policy. The court affirmed summary judgment on Murphy's First Amendment and Fourth Amendment claims, holding that the record supported the district's legitimate reasons for his termination and arrest.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
Read summary →