10th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

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

Mar 27 2026
4:24-CR-00029-AMA-2) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KRISTOPHER EDWARD BOGER

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Kristopher Boger's conviction for assaulting a federal officer, ruling that the district court properly excluded evidence regarding a contract dispute and an inspection report. The appellate panel held that the excluded materials were irrelevant to the scope of the officer's duties and risked confusing the jury under Federal Rules of Evidence 401 and 403.

Criminal Violent Crimes
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Mar 27 2026
25-5169 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. LANCE DOUGLAS ROARK

The Tenth Circuit denied Lance Roark a certificate of appealability, ruling that he failed to make a substantial showing that reasonable jurists could debate the denial of his constitutional rights. The court affirmed that the federal government possesses Article III standing to prosecute criminal violations of its laws, regardless of the specific injury to a private victim.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Standing
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Mar 27 2026
4:21-CR-00489-JFH-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CREGG LENARD GAINES

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a supervised release revocation, ruling that any constitutional error in admitting a witness's video statement was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. The court held that the district court would have reached the same conclusion based on independent evidence, including the victim's identification and the defendant's own admissions.

Criminal Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause Supervised Release
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Mar 27 2026
5:24-CV-03143-JWL Panel Decision

KEVIN TAMAR DAVIS v. JESSE HOWES; JAMES SKIDMORE; FRED CANNON; JEANIE BURK

The Tenth Circuit dismissed Kevin Tamar Davis's appeal because his appellate brief failed to comply with federal procedural rules. Despite the dismissal, the court granted his motion to proceed in forma pauperis while warning him about the consequences of a third strike under the PLRA.

Antitrust (Criminal) Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Criminal Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual
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Mar 27 2026
1:25-CV-01004-LTB-RTG Panel Decision

RAYMOND TODD SURFACE v. HOME MORTGAGE ALLIANCE, LLC; GUARANTEED RATE, INC.; HALLIDAY, WATKINS & MANN, P.C.; HONORABLE J. ERIC ELLIFF; HONORABLE PAUL D. LOPEZ; HONORABLE DAVID BL...

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights action filed by a homeowner challenging his state court foreclosure and eviction. The court held that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine barred the federal suit because the plaintiff effectively sought to overturn final state court judgments.

Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Mar 27 2026
4:08-CR-00022-GKF-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KIMBERLY CHANCELLOR

The Tenth Circuit denied Kimberly Chancellor's request for a certificate of appealability because he failed to show that reasonable jurists would find the district court's procedural ruling debatable. The court held that his Rule 60(b)(6) motion was substantively an unauthorized second or successive § 2255 claim, which the district court correctly dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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