7th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

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

Apr 2 2026
25-2361 Panel Decision

KENNETH KARWACKI v. JOSH KAUL, Attorney General of Wisconsin

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a concealed-carry permit to a former soldier with a military drug conviction, holding that the Full Faith and Credit Clause does not restrict states from imposing firearm disabilities based on federal military judgments. The court further ruled that Wisconsin's prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of distributing drugs is constitutional both on its face and as applied to the appellant.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms
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Apr 1 2026
25-2185 Panel Decision

REGINALD CLAY v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY

The Seventh Circuit held that a 2024 Illinois amendment to the Biometric Information Privacy Act applies retroactively to pending cases. The court ruled that the amendment, which limits damages to a per-person basis, is a procedural change that courts must apply to cases filed before its enactment.

Civil Securities
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Apr 1 2026
24-2320 Panel Decision

MOHAMED M. MUTHANA v. MARKWAYNE MULLIN Secretary of Homeland Security, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Mohamed Muthana's due process and administrative claims because his own immigration petition proved he listed the address where the government sent notice. By failing to meaningfully contest this dispositive evidence in the lower court or on appeal, Muthana waived his right to challenge the denial of his request to reopen immigration proceedings.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Due Process Summary Judgment
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Mar 31 2026
24-3234 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANTHONY E. IBEKIE

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal on a wire fraud count, ruling that sufficient circumstantial evidence supported the conviction despite the victim's failure to testify. The court held that evidence linking the defendant to a shell company and his use of an alias was enough for a jury to infer intent and the use of interstate wires in the fraud scheme.

Criminal Fraud
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Mar 31 2026
24-1630 Panel Decision

CLOSE ARMSTRONG, LLC v. TRUNKLINE GAS COMPANY, LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Trunkline Gas Company, holding that Indiana law allows unexercised rights under a floating easement to remain unfixed to a specific location. The court declined to certify the question to the Indiana Supreme Court, finding existing precedent clearly establishes that such rights do not require immediate fixation.

Bankruptcy Civil Summary Judgment
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Mar 30 2026
24-3346 Panel Decision

MAURICE J. HOLT v. GARY BOUGHTON

The Seventh Circuit reversed a district court's grant of habeas relief, holding that the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reasonably applied federal standards in rejecting a defendant's claims regarding excluded evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel. The appellate court found that the state court's decision was not an unreasonable application of Supreme Court precedent under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 30 2026
25-1055 Panel Decision

PAUL M. DAUGERDAS v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

The Seventh Circuit held that the Internal Revenue Service may assess and collect criminal restitution as a civil tax liability under 26 U.S.C. § 6201(a)(4)(A), even when doing so accelerates payment beyond the original criminal sentencing schedule. The court affirmed the Tax Court's rejection of the taxpayer's challenge, ruling that Congress intended to empower the IRS to enforce restitution for tax-related crimes to ensure full recovery of Treasury losses.

Criminal Fraud
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Mar 24 2026
24-2647 Panel Decision

CHONG L. LEE v. BRADLEY MLODZIK, Warden

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Chong Lee's habeas corpus petition, holding that while the State of Wisconsin likely violated his due process rights by failing to disclose and intentionally destroying evidence, the state court's chosen remedy was not an unreasonable application of federal law. The court emphasized that although the State's conduct undermined foundational justice principles, the petitioner failed to meet the high bar required under AEDPA to overturn the state court's decision.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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