Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
The First Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the Clemente heirs’ claims, ruling that the Lanham Act does not protect a deceased individual’s legacy from government use and that the Takings Clause does not apply…
The First Circuit affirmed a ninety-six-month sentence for possessing machine guns and being a felon in possession of firearms, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to adequately explain an upward variance. The court held that the district court provided a plausible rationale based on the severity of the offenses, the defendant's criminal history, and the specific circumstances of the arrest.
The First Circuit affirmed a sixty-month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm and escape from a re-entry program. The court held that the district judge provided sufficient justification for a nineteen-month upward variance based on the defendant's possession of a modified machine gun, high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.
The First Circuit affirmed a sixty-month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm and escape from a re-entry program, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to justify a nineteen-month upward variance. The appellate court held that the district judge provided sufficient reasoning by highlighting the defendant's possession of a modified machine gun, high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.
The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a doctor and hospital, ruling that a mother failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove disability discrimination or negligent infliction of emotional distress. The court held that the plaintiff could not establish that the defendants' actions were motivated by discriminatory intent rather than legitimate medical concerns regarding suspected child abuse.
The First Circuit affirmed the denial of preliminary injunctive relief against a steamship authority's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The court held that the policy was neutral and generally applicable because the risks posed by permanent religious exemptions were not comparable to the limited, time-bound medical exemptions.
The First Circuit affirmed Marcus Mello's 181-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting his challenges to the drug quantity calculation and sentencing enhancements. The court held that the district court reasonably relied on WhatsApp messages and seized samples to estimate drug weight and properly denied acceptance of responsibility due to Mello's failure to appear for trial.
The First Circuit affirmed Marcus Mello's 181-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting his challenges to the drug quantity calculation and sentencing enhancements. The court held that the district court reasonably varied below the Guidelines range while accounting for Mello's history and the severity of his conduct.
The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a malicious prosecution claim brought by a mother who was arrested after relocating with her child to Texas without her former partner's permission. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to prove the defendants acted with malice or presented false information to secure an arrest warrant, as required to overcome the presumption of probable cause.
The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of civil rights claims against the City of Revere and summary judgment for a police officer, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove discriminatory animus or municipal liability. The court held that the officer's actions were motivated by a desire to end a harassing relationship rather than national origin bias, and that no criminal proceedings were ever commenced to support a malicious prosecution claim.