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 31 2026
25-20176 Panel Decision

In the Matter of South Coast Supply Company Debtor Briar Capital Working Fund Capital, L.L.C., as assignee of South Coast Supply Company v. Robert W. Remmert

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the jury's verdict for Robert Remmert because the appellant failed to file a post-verdict motion challenging the sufficiency of the evidence. Under Supreme Court precedent, appellate courts lack jurisdiction to review legal insufficiency claims absent a Rule 50(b) motion, regardless of the underlying bankruptcy dispute.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Mar 31 2026
25-11253 Per Curiam

In re Naoise Connolly Ryan; Emily Chelangat Babu; Joshua Mwazo Babu; Catherine Berthet; Huguette Debets

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied petitions for writ of mandamus filed by families of crash victims challenging a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing. The court held that the Department of Justice did not violate the Crime Victims Rights Act and lacked jurisdiction to review the district court's dismissal of the underlying criminal charges.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 30 2026
25-50616 Per Curiam

Mortel v. Nowicki

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Donna Mortel's housing dispute, ruling that her attempt to serve defendants via email failed to comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4. The court further held that the district court acted within its discretion to dismiss the case for Mortel's failure to attend a court-ordered status conference.

Civil Civil Rights - Housing
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Mar 30 2026
25-30554 Per Curiam

Collett v. Weyerhaeuser Co.

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court order requiring plaintiffs to pay approximately $37,683 in costs to prevailing defendants despite the plaintiffs' claim of indigency. The court held that a disparity in financial resources between the parties is insufficient on its own to overcome the presumption that costs should be awarded to the prevailing party under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(1).

Civil Insurance Summary Judgment
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Mar 27 2026
25-10886 Panel Decision

Chasity Congious, by and through her Guardian, Kimberly Hammond v. Aaron Ivy Shaw, DO Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Dr. Aaron Shaw, holding that the plaintiff failed to prove he had subjective knowledge of a substantial risk of serious harm to the pretrial detainee. The court ruled that because the Medical Director did not personally review the specific email detailing the inmate's symptoms, he lacked the requisite awareness to establish a constitutional violation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 27 2026
25-20362 Per Curiam

Robert Prosper v. Harris County; City of Houston; C. M. Blackburn

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Robert Prosper's civil rights claims, ruling that his complaint failed to state a plausible claim against the named officer or the municipalities. The court held that the district court properly dismissed the case because the plaintiff did not allege sufficient facts to establish municipal liability or a special relationship required for a due process claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Mar 27 2026
25-30113 Per Curiam

United States v. Brown

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Elijah Brown's bank fraud sentence while vacating and remanding the restitution order for recalculation. The court rejected challenges to the vulnerable victim and role enhancement adjustments, finding the district court's application of the Sentencing Guidelines plausible and supported by the record.

Criminal Fraud Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Mar 27 2026
25-60244 Per Curiam

Cordova-Almendares v. Bondi

The Fifth Circuit denied asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture protection to a Honduran petitioner whose claim relied on a single incident of threats. The court held that the isolated nature of the incident and the lack of immediacy failed to establish the sustained pattern required for past persecution or a well-founded fear of future harm.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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