4th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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

Apr 30 2026
23-4665 Panel Decision

United States v. Lodge

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence found in a backpack, holding that the defendant abandoned the property during flight from law enforcement. The court ruled that the district court did not clearly err in finding abandonment based on the defendant's failed attempt to store the bag in a residence and subsequent flight, rendering the warrantless search valid.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 30 2026
25-6568 Per Curiam

RODNEY E. COBBS v. MARGARET A. HUTZENBILER; EMILY G. LANKLER, District Attorney's Office; CONNIE JORDAN, Assistant District Attorney; JEANNIE BERG; ARIKA SIDBURY; COURTNEY M. LAST

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights lawsuit because the appellant failed to challenge the specific legal grounds for the lower court's ruling in his informal brief. By not preserving the necessary issues for review, the appellant forfeited his right to contest the dismissal on appeal.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 30 2026
25-2284 Per Curiam

Tremel Marquis Rosser v. Marco Rubio; Supreme Court of the United States Legal Team

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of multiple civil actions filed by pro se appellant Tremel Marquis Rosser against various federal officials. The court held that Rosser forfeited his right to appellate review because his informal brief failed to challenge the specific legal basis for the district court's dispositions.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Other Civil
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Apr 30 2026
25-6368 Per Curiam

Jones v. Frost

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Trevor Andrew Jones's civil rights complaint for failure to state a claim. The court declined to address the merits of the constitutional allegations, upholding the procedural dismissal while denying related motions to strike and appoint counsel.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 30 2026
25-4561 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES DANA JOHNSON, II

The Fourth Circuit affirmed an 84-month sentence for a felon-in-possession conviction, ruling that the district court sufficiently addressed the defendant's mitigating arguments. The court held that a district court need not explicitly spell out responses to defense arguments when the context makes it patently obvious that those arguments were rejected.

Criminal Firearms
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Apr 30 2026
25-1691 Per Curiam

Yates v. U.S. Bank National Association

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of the Yateses' mortgage dispute, ruling that their claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata. The court also upheld the lower court's prefiling injunction, finding no abuse of discretion in restricting the plaintiffs' ability to file new lawsuits on the same issues.

Civil Real Property Res Judicata
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