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 21 2026
18-4893 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. VINSON THOMPSON

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Vinson Thompson's Armed Career Criminal Act sentence because his challenge regarding the lack of a jury finding was procedurally barred by the plain error standard. The court concluded that while the district court erred by not advising Thompson of his right to a jury on the 'different occasions' element, the error did not affect his substantial rights given the overwhelming evidence of his criminal history.

Criminal Firearms Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 21 2026
25-4296 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DUSTIN ERIC WILSON

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Dustin Wilson's conviction, ruling that his trial counsel's decision to advocate for medical treatment rather than pre-trial release was objectively reasonable. The court found no evidence that Wilson's medical condition would have secured his release or that his guilty plea was the result of ineffective assistance.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 20 2026
24-6490 Panel Decision

Spivey v. Breckon

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a federal inmate's Bivens action alleging inadequate medical care and excessive force, holding that no implied private right of action exists for these claims against federal prison officials. The court ruled that the plaintiff's allegations presented a new context distinct from Supreme Court precedent and that special factors counseled against extending Bivens remedies in this domain.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual
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Apr 20 2026
24-4171 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ARMAND SAQUAN SUFYAN LEWIS-LANGSTON

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a 200-month sentence for a firearms conviction, ruling that while the district court erred by determining the 'different occasions' of prior felonies without a jury, the mistake was harmless. The court held that the defendant would have waived his right to a jury and admitted the prior offenses occurred on separate occasions had he been properly advised during his guilty plea.

Criminal Firearms Mandatory Minimum
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Apr 17 2026
25-4225 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. WILLIE JUNIOR LILLY

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Willie Junior Lilly's conviction and sentence, holding that his Second Amendment challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) is foreclosed by binding circuit precedent. The court further rejected his sentencing argument, ruling that the district court correctly applied the Sentencing Guidelines to count his prior drug convictions.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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