Decisions

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

Jan 14 2026
1st Cir. 24-2077 Panel Decision

United States v. Christian Del-Valle-Camacho

The First Circuit affirmed a sixty-month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm and escape from a re-entry program, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to justify a nineteen-month upward variance. The appellate court held that the district judge provided sufficient reasoning by highlighting the defendant's possession of a modified machine gun, high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Jan 14 2026
1st Cir. 24-1832 Panel Decision

J.S.H v. ALICE NEWTON; MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a doctor and hospital, ruling that a mother failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove disability discrimination or negligent infliction of emotional distress. The court held that the plaintiff could not establish that the defendants' actions were motivated by discriminatory intent rather than legitimate medical concerns regarding suspected child abuse.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Jan 13 2026
8th Cir. 25-1430 Panel Decision

Stephanie Gasca; Mildred Curren; Kenneth Hemphill; Jesse Neely; Amber Wyse; Timothy Gallagher; Solomon Warren v. Anne L. Precythe

The Eighth Circuit held that the Prison Litigation Reform Act's attorney fee cap applies to § 1983 claims brought by parolees challenging due process violations in revocation proceedings. The court reasoned that detained parolees qualify as prisoners under the statute, thereby rejecting the district court's contrary interpretation.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983
Read summary →
Jan 13 2026
United States Court… 24-1346 Panel Decision

CENTURYTEL OF MONTANA, INC., A SUBSIDIARY OF LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL UNION 768 Consolidat...: CENTURYTEL OF MONTANA, INC., A SUBSIDIARY OF LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL UNION 768 Consolidat…

The D.C. Circuit denied CenturyTel's petition for review and granted enforcement of the NLRB's order, holding that the Board's finding of a violation of Sections 8(a)(5) and (1) of the National Labor Relations Act was supported by substantial evidence. The court concluded that CenturyTel improperly failed to furnish information regarding non-union technicians working within the Union's jurisdiction despite the collective bargaining agreement's provisions on crossing jurisdictional boundaries.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Jan 13 2026
United States Court… 24-1369 Panel Decision

Boutique Air Inc. v. Department of Transportation, et al.

The D.C. Circuit denied Boutique Air's petition for review regarding the Department of Transportation's selection of Key Lime Air for Essential Air Service subsidies in Jackson, Tennessee. The court affirmed that the agency's decision was not arbitrary or capricious despite Boutique Air's arguments regarding cost, precedent, and subsidy caps.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Jan 13 2026
United States Court… 24-1353 Panel Decision

MARYLAND OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL v. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PJM INTERCONNECTION, L.L.C: MARYLAND OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL v. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PJM INTERCONNECTION, L.L.C

The D.C. Circuit vacated FERC's denial of a complaint seeking to lower inflated electricity rates, ruling that the agency's reliance on a prior Third Circuit decision was legally insufficient. The court held that the Third Circuit's ruling on tariff amendments did not foreclose FERC from addressing the resulting high auction prices under its separate authority to modify unjust rates.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Jan 9 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-5438 5-4

Bowe v. United States

The Supreme Court held that the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act does not bar federal prisoners from seeking certiorari review of a court of appeals' denial of authorization for a second or successive § 2255 motion. The Court further ruled that the statutory bar on 'do-over' claims in § 2244(b)(1) applies only to state prisoners, not federal prisoners.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
Read summary →
Jan 9 2026
1st Cir. 24-1063 Panel Decision

Brox v. Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket S.S. Auth.: Brox v. Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket S.S. Auth.

The First Circuit affirmed the denial of preliminary injunctive relief against a steamship authority's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The court held that the policy was neutral and generally applicable because the risks posed by permanent religious exemptions were not comparable to the limited, time-bound medical exemptions.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion
Read summary →
Jan 9 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cv-02999-MHC Published

Baker v. City of Atlanta

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction that had prohibited the City of Atlanta from enforcing a residency requirement for referendum signature gatherers. The court held that under controlling Georgia state law, the plaintiffs lacked the right to utilize a referendum petition to challenge a local ordinance, thereby failing to demonstrate the irreparable harm necessary for injunctive relief.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Preliminary Injunction
Read summary →