1st Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

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

Mar 30 2026
25-1157 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES v. AIZAVIER ROACHE

The First Circuit affirmed a fifty-seven-month sentence for conspiracy to traffic firearms, rejecting the appellant's argument that the district court erred by applying a sentencing enhancement based on a co-conspirator's out-of-court statements. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in determining the reliability of the co-conspirator's testimony regarding the defendant's role in the scheme.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause Supervised Release
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Mar 27 2026
25-1359 Panel Decision

Holland v. Elevance Health, Inc.

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a disability discrimination claim against a health insurer that excluded coverage for weight-loss medications. The court held that the exclusion was facially neutral and that the plaintiff failed to allege sufficient facts showing the policy was motivated by animus toward obesity or that it constituted proxy or disparate impact discrimination.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other
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Mar 27 2026
25-1131 Panel Decision

LUCIA URIZAR-MOTA; SERGIO REYES v. UNITED STATES

The First Circuit affirmed negligence findings and damages for medical expenses and pain but reversed the homemaker loss award and the loss-of-consortium award for family members. The court held that the family members failed to exhaust administrative remedies and that the district court applied an impermissible rigid rule rather than a case-specific inquiry for homemaker damages.

Compassionate Release Criminal
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Mar 25 2026
23-1940 Panel Decision

JOSÉ A. RAMOS-RAMOS; ORLANDO MÉNDEZ-LÓPEZ; IGNERIS A. PÉREZ-ROSARIO; JOSÉ COTTO-MELÉNDEZ v. ZAYIRA JORDÁN-CONDE

The First Circuit dismissed an appeal by four public sector employees seeking declaratory judgments that union dues deductions were unconstitutional. The court held that the claims were moot because the union and university had already ceased the deductions and ordered reimbursement for past payments.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Mootness
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Mar 24 2026
25-1404 Panel Decision

SANDY HARRIS, JR v. NATIONAL GRID USA SERVICE COMPANY, INC

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an employer, ruling that an employee failed to prove his termination was caused by his request for a disability accommodation. The court held that the chronological sequence of events demonstrated the employer had already decided to terminate the employee before he asserted his protected rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Mar 24 2026
25-1304 Panel Decision

Manzo v. Wohlstadter

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a securities fraud lawsuit, holding that the claims arose out of promissory notes containing a valid forum selection clause. The court rejected arguments that the clause was unenforceable under Massachusetts public policy or that the suit fell outside its scope.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Mar 20 2026
25-1417 Panel Decision

Hellman v. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a constitutional challenge to Massachusetts regulations requiring private school students to receive publicly funded special education services at public or neutral locations. The court held that the state's logistical distinction does not infringe on parents' fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, nor does it violate equal protection principles.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 20 2026
20-1275, 20-1276, 20-1283 Panel Decision

United States v. Rosario-Orangel

The First Circuit affirmed the federal convictions of three defendants for RICO and drug conspiracy, rejecting challenges to the admission of hearsay statements made by coconspirators. The court held that the district court properly found the statements were made during and in furtherance of the conspiracy, or that any error in their admission was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 20 2026
20-1276 Panel Decision

United States v. Rosario-Orangel

The First Circuit affirms the federal convictions of three defendants for RICO and drug conspiracy, rejecting their challenges to the admission of hearsay statements made by coconspirators. The court holds that the District Court properly found the statements were made during and in furtherance of the conspiracy, or that any error in their admission was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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