Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Fair Housing Act claim because the plaintiff failed to plead specific facts linking her disability to the landlord's failure to make repairs. The court also rejected the plaintiff's motion to recuse the district judge, ruling that adverse rulings alone do not prove judicial bias.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed Christopher Andrade's conviction for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, finding no plain error in the evidence regarding the victim's identity. The court further held that jury instructions were accurate and the admission of redirect testimony did not warrant reversal.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's Section 1983 challenge to a Texas discovery statute, holding that the Younger abstention doctrine bars federal intervention. The court ruled that the plaintiff had an adequate opportunity to raise his constitutional claims within the ongoing state criminal proceedings.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's Section 1983 claims, ruling that the proposed amended complaint failed to state a valid claim regardless of the district court's procedural error. The court held that the amendment was insufficient as a matter of law because it omitted the police department and failed to allege a Monell violation.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a constitutional challenge to a Texas statute limiting marriage solemnization to religious officials or judges. The court held that the plaintiff lacked Article III standing because he failed to allege concrete plans to perform a wedding ceremony in the county.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the revocation of Kelley Lynn Lamberson's supervised release, finding no plain error in the district court's sentencing despite her claim that the court improperly relied on retributive factors. The court held that because the revocation was mandatory under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(g), the district court was not required to consider the retributive factors Lamberson cited, even if she had preserved the objection.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed Robert Spencer's convictions for possessing a firearm and an explosive device, ruling that police actions were justified by exigent circumstances. The court further held that any potential Fourth Amendment violation was attenuated from the evidence under the doctrine established in Utah v. Strieff.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Job Jasso, Jr. for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The court found the evidence sufficient to support the verdict that stolen handguns were found near fentanyl pills intended for distribution.