Decisions

Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.

Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 25-2689 Panel Decision

JORDAN TALLEY-SMITH v. MISSION LANE, LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jordan Talley-Smith's lawsuit against Mission Lane, LLC, ruling that he cannot represent a private trust pro se and failed to comply with signature requirements under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. The court held that Smith's claims were frivolous because they relied on the invalid legal theory that a self-created bill of exchange satisfied his debt obligations.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 24-3158 Panel Decision

ROBERT HALL v. AMY WYKES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials, ruling that the evidence did not establish deliberate indifference to unsanitary cell conditions or retaliation for grievances. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove officials had actual knowledge of a serious health risk or that adverse actions were motivated by his protected speech.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 25-2417 Panel Decision

DANUTA DEC v. MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Secretary of Homeland Security

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to a USCIS waiver denial, holding that federal statutes unequivocally preclude judicial review of agency decisions regarding waivers of inadmissibility. The court also admonished the petitioner's attorney for submitting a brief containing non-existent citations and false quotations generated by artificial intelligence.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 24 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-01951-SKC-MDB Panel Decision

Armendariz v. City of Colorado Springs

The Tenth Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of Fourth Amendment claims against Colorado Springs police officers, holding that three search warrants executed during a housing-rights march were overbroad and violated clearly established law. The court affirmed the dismissal of claims against the FBI regarding data retention but remanded the remaining claims for further proceedings.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Qualified Immunity
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Feb 24 2026
8th Cir. 25-2788 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Joe L. Franklin

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the revocation of Joe Franklin's supervised release and the imposition of a 36-month prison sentence, finding no plain procedural error in the district court's sentencing analysis. The court further held that the special condition requiring substance abuse treatment did not constitute an impermissible delegation of judicial authority.

Criminal Plain Error Review Supervised Release
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Feb 24 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2824 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. OMOYOMA OKORO

The Third Circuit affirmed Omoyoma Okoro's fraud convictions, rejecting his claims regarding the denial of remote testimony from a co-conspirator and the sufficiency of the evidence. The court held that the defense failed to comply with the District Court's specific conditions for remote testimony and found the jury verdict supported by substantial evidence.

Criminal Fraud Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Speedy Trial
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Feb 24 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1744 Panel Decision

Yong Chul Son v. Thomas G. Lynch, Deceased; Andrew S. Strauss; Michael Skinder; Publisher of New Jersey Lawyers Diary and Manual

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Yong Chul Son's federal claims, ruling that they were barred by the two-year statute of limitations. The court held that the alleged events occurred years before the complaint was filed and that no grounds existed to equitably toll the deadline.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Statute of Limitations
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Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 24-1894 Panel Decision

JOHN A. HAWKINS v. MARK SEVIER

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a habeas petition challenging the deprivation of nearly 19 years of good time credits for a violent attack on a correctional officer. The court held that the administrative record contained sufficient evidence to support the finding of serious bodily injury and that the sanction was not grossly disproportionate under the Eighth Amendment.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Feb 23 2026
1st Cir. 22-1055 Panel Decision

ANTHONY M. SHEA v. UNITED STATES

The First Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of Anthony Shea's request to vacate his federal firearms convictions, ruling that instructional errors regarding predicate crimes were harmless. The court also upheld the resentencing of Shea based on the erroneous application of the career offender guideline, which the government conceded no longer applied.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
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