Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed Olee Wonzo Robinson's appeal because the district court's order reopening his habeas case was not a final judgment or an appealable interlocutory order. The appellate court held it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to review the order granting reconsideration.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus as moot because the district court had already resolved the underlying dispute. The appellate court found that no further judicial relief could be granted since the district court had dismissed the complaint and ruled on all pending motions.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed Anthony Lee Daniels' Armed Career Criminal Act sentence, ruling that while the district court erred by determining predicate offenses occurred on different occasions without a jury, the mistake was harmless. The court found that Daniels would have admitted to the different occasions facts during his guilty plea had he been properly advised of his right to a jury determination.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Karen Williams' housing authority lawsuits due to her failure to properly serve the defendants. Because her informal appellate brief did not challenge the specific grounds for dismissal, she forfeited the right to appellate review of those rulings.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Rock Hill, ruling that a short-term rental host lacks standing to assert the constitutional rights of his transient guests. The court further held that the city's zoning regulations limiting short-term rentals are a valid exercise of traditional police power subject only to rational basis review.
The Fourth Circuit denied a pro se petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to compel North Carolina state courts to enforce a prior state order. The court held that federal courts lack jurisdiction to issue mandamus relief against state officials or to review final state court orders.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed Yu Hin Chan's appeal because he failed to file specific objections to the magistrate judge's recommendation after receiving proper notice. This failure forfeited his right to appellate review of the district court's dismissal for failure to state a claim.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a plaintiff's Bivens claim, ruling that the complaint failed to allege sufficient facts to establish a cognizable constitutional violation. The court further held that the U.S. Attorneys involved were protected by absolute prosecutorial immunity from liability.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se litigant because the notice was submitted before the district court entered a final order. The court held that without a final judgment or specific interlocutory ruling, it lacks the statutory authority to hear the case.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a civil complaint for improper venue because the appellant failed to challenge the legal basis for that ruling in his informal brief. By not addressing the specific grounds for dismissal, the appellant forfeited appellate review of the venue decision.