Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a legal malpractice suit against a law firm, ruling that the claims were barred by Kentucky's one-year statute of limitations. The court held that the plaintiff had constructive notice of her injury in 2020 when she filed a related lawsuit, regardless of whether she had identified the specific wrongdoer at that time.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed Vijaya Shetty's conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, finding no plain error in the district court's acceptance of his guilty plea. The court held that Shetty failed to demonstrate that his plea was not knowing, intelligent, or voluntary despite his claims of misunderstanding and duress.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the convictions of Tevye Jones for drug trafficking and firearm offenses, rejecting claims that jury misconduct and evidence handling errors warranted a new trial. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion when replacing a juror who refused to follow the law and found the government's evidence of possession sufficient despite administrative discrepancies.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to an employer, holding that a signed termination release validly barred an employee's discrimination claims. The court found the release was executed knowingly and voluntarily because the employee received adequate time to review the document and consult counsel.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of property owners' takings and conversion claims against a county treasurer, ruling that the official was entitled to sovereign immunity. The court held that because Michigan law compelled the treasurer's actions regarding tax foreclosures and surplus proceeds, he acted as an arm of the State.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of sovereign immunity, clarifying that the proper defendant in this tax foreclosure dispute is Wayne County, not its Treasurer. Because the plaintiffs sued the county itself, the Treasurer's Eleventh Amendment immunity was irrelevant to the outcome.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed Mohammed Al-Abadi's twenty-four-month prison sentence for trafficking in counterfeit airbags and recklessly transporting hazardous materials. The court rejected Al-Abadi's challenge to the sentence's reasonableness, finding the district court properly calculated the Guidelines range and applied special supervised release conditions.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of Robert Smith's motion to suppress evidence found during a search of his home, ruling that the warrant affidavit contained sufficient probable cause. The court held that detailed, first-hand accounts from non-anonymous informants, who admitted to purchasing drugs from Smith, provided a substantial basis for the magistrate judge to issue the warrant.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against Ohio House Bill 96, ruling that the state's escheat of unclaimed funds does not cause irreparable harm. The court held that property owners retain a ten-year window to recover their funds plus interest, negating the need for injunctive relief.
The Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review of a BIA decision rejecting an asylum claim because the petitioner failed to prove her abuse was motivated by her membership in a protected social group. The court held that the harm suffered was the result of private crimes rather than persecution on account of her identity as an indigenous Mayan Quiche woman.