Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded a district court order denying a petition for the return of a child under the Hague Convention. The appellate court found that the lower court applied the wrong law to determine custody rights and lacked evidentiary support for its findings on affirmative defenses.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed that prison officials violated an inmate's Eighth Amendment rights by using her as bait to catch a sexual predator, but reversed the damages award due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The court ordered a new trial on compensatory and punitive damages while leaving the liability finding intact.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed that prison officials acted with deliberate indifference by using an inmate as bait to catch a staff member who was sexually assaulting her, rejecting their qualified immunity defense. However, the court reversed the damages award, ordering a new trial because the jury lacked sufficient evidence to link the officials to the abuse prior to their specific knowledge and because the exclusion of evidence regarding the inmate's state of mind prejudiced the punitive damages calculation.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a five-level sentencing enhancement for distributing child pornography in exchange for valuable consideration but vacated the sentence due to an incorrect application of a pattern-of-activity enhancement. The court held that while Lopez's participation in chatrooms constituted a valid exchange, the government failed to prove the requisite pattern of sexual abuse or exploitation.
The Third Circuit affirmed the removal of a Pakistani national convicted of aggravated criminal sexual contact, ruling the offense qualifies as a crime involving moral turpitude. The court also rejected the petitioner's asylum and Convention Against Torture claims due to failure to exhaust issues and insufficient evidence of persecution.
The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jeniqua Bradley's Section 1983 lawsuit against a Magisterial District Judge. The court held that judicial immunity protected the judge because entering a default judgment is a judicial act performed within his jurisdiction.
The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jason Todd's pro se complaint alleging constitutional violations and statutory claims arising from an assault incident. The court held that the amended complaint failed to state a plausible claim for relief under federal screening standards.
The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of motions to reopen a case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(d) and to amend a complaint post-judgment. The court held that the appellants failed to prove fraud directed at the federal court itself, which is required to vacate a judgment under Rule 60(d).
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence imposed after revoking a defendant's supervised release, rejecting the claim that the upward-variant sentence was plainly unreasonable. The court held that the district court exercised broad discretion and provided an adequate explanation based on the defendant's escalating violations and the need for public protection.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for the officer who tackled a suspect during a drug raid but reversed the immunity grant for a second officer whose rifle struck the suspect's head. The court held that disputed facts regarding whether the blow was intentional or accidental preclude summary judgment on the excessive force claim.
