3rd Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

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

Mar 20 2026
25-2893 Panel Decision

ACHILLES CEDRIC CURBISON v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; PHILLIP L. BUVIA, Special Agent; EDWARD R DAVIS, Agent; MICHAEL T. POULTON, Agent; ANDREW SCHIFF, AUSA; ROBERT J. CLEARY, F...

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a second lawsuit filed by Achilles Curbison against federal agents regarding the seizure of his property. The court held that the claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata because they involved the same parties and cause of action as a prior case already adjudicated on the merits.

Civil Other Civil Res Judicata Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Mar 19 2026
23-1815 Panel Decision

MISAEL CORDERO v. GREGORY KELLEY, sued in his individual and official capacities; STEPHEN D’LLIO

The Third Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment, holding that correctional officers were entitled to qualified immunity for rejecting an inmate's bulk religious mailings. The court ruled that at the time of the alleged violations, it was not clearly established law that prison officials could not require religious pamphlets to be routed through the chaplaincy rather than sent directly to inmates.

Civil Civil Rights - Religious Liberty (RLUIPA) Qualified Immunity
Read summary →
Mar 19 2026
2:24-cv-00896 Panel Decision

Hice v. EQT Corp.

The Third Circuit vacated the District Court's denial of a preliminary injunction because the plaintiffs failed to make a facial showing of subject-matter jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act. The court held that alleging residency is insufficient to establish the diversity of citizenship required for federal jurisdiction in CAFA cases.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Preliminary Injunction
Read summary →
Mar 18 2026
25-1329 Panel Decision

AGYEI ASARE TABI v. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit denied a petition for review of a final removal order against Agyei Asare Tabi, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' classification of his prior federal fraud conviction as an aggravated felony. The court affirmed that the conviction for conspiracy to defraud the United States involved fraud or deceit and that the resulting loss to the victim exceeded the statutory $10,000 threshold.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 18 2026
22-2511 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEVEN PENNYCOOKE

The Third Circuit affirmed Steven Pennycooke's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, upholding the District Court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence. The court held that the officers had reasonable suspicion to seize Pennycooke based on his suspicious conduct and the totality of the circumstances surrounding an anonymous tip about looting.

Criminal Firearms
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
25-1277 Panel Decision

ABDALLAH ABDULRAHEEM MOHAMMAD KHATER v. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit denied in part and dismissed in part a petition challenging an Immigration Judge's rulings on administrative closure, continuance, and voluntary departure. The court held that the petitioner failed to show the first two rulings affected the outcome of his removal, while the third was barred from judicial review by statute.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 16 2026
25-1810 Panel Decision

In re: ALLONHILL, LLC, f/k/a Allon Hill, LLC; f/k/a Allon Financial, LLC; f/k/a The Murrayhill Company, LLC Debtor ALLONHILL, LLC v. STEWART LENDER SERVICES, INC

The Third Circuit reversed the District Court's ruling that a debtor was insolvent at the time of certain transfers, holding that the lower court erred by using a post-transfer settlement amount to value a disputed claim. The appellate court clarified that while the Bankruptcy Court's methodology was permissible, the District Court's rejection of that approach based on settled expectations was legally incorrect.

Bankruptcy Civil
Read summary →
Mar 13 2026
22-2237 Panel Decision

Keith Whitmore v. Superintendent Forest SCI; The District Attorney of the County of Philadelphia; The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of PA

The Third Circuit reversed the denial of a federal habeas petition and remanded the case for an evidentiary hearing on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The court held that the state court unreasonably applied federal law by denying a hearing without first allowing the petitioner to prove allegations that trial counsel failed to investigate a biased critical witness.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Right to Counsel
Read summary →