Decisions

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

Jan 7 2026
1st Cir. 24-1881 Panel Decision

United States v. Mello

The First Circuit affirmed Marcus Mello's 181-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting his challenges to the drug quantity calculation and sentencing enhancements. The court held that the district court reasonably relied on WhatsApp messages and seized samples to estimate drug weight and properly denied acceptance of responsibility due to Mello's failure to appear for trial.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Jan 7 2026
1st Cir. 24-1882 Panel Decision

United States v. Marcus Mello

The First Circuit affirmed Marcus Mello's 181-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting his challenges to the drug quantity calculation and sentencing enhancements. The court held that the district court reasonably varied below the Guidelines range while accounting for Mello's history and the severity of his conduct.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Jan 7 2026
1st Cir. 16-2117 Panel Decision

MARILYN BESOSA-NOCEDA, per se and in representation of her minor children LMR-B and DJR-B; JUAN PABLO RODRIGUEZ-TORRES, per se and in representation of his minor children LMR-B...: MARILYN BESOSA-NOCEDA, per se and in representation of her minor children LMR-B and DJR-B; JUAN PABLO RODRIGUEZ-TORRES, per se and in representation of his minor children LMR-B…

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a malicious prosecution claim brought by a mother who was arrested after relocating with her child to Texas without her former partner's permission. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to prove the defendants acted with malice or presented false information to secure an arrest warrant, as required to overcome the presumption of probable cause.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Jan 7 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cr-00385-ELR-JSA-5 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ABDOULAYE BARRY

The Eleventh Circuit vacated Abdoulaye Barry's sentence because the district court failed to make individualized findings regarding the scope of his jointly undertaken criminal activity before holding him accountable for his codefendants' losses. The court remanded the case for resentencing to correct the loss calculation and a clerical error in the criminal judgment.

Criminal Embezzlement & Forgery Fraud Sentencing Guidelines
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Jan 7 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-21698-DPG Published

Athos Overseas Limited Corp. v. YouTube, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for YouTube and Google, holding that their copyright management tools do not constitute actual or red flag knowledge of infringement under the DMCA. The court further ruled that YouTube's general ability to moderate content does not amount to the right and ability to control infringing activity required to lose safe harbor protection.

Civil Intellectual Property Summary Judgment
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Jan 6 2026
5th Cir. 25-20086 Per Curiam

Robert Fletcher v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

The Fifth Circuit vacated a district court's order imposing Rule 11 and statutory sanctions against a plaintiff and his counsel, finding the sanctions were imposed without adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. The appellate court held that the plaintiff's identity theft claims were not frivolous given the factual dispute over who opened the auto loan account.

Civil Securities
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Jan 6 2026
1st Cir. 25-1068 Unpublished

SHARON RADFAR v. JOSEPH I. COVINO, Sergeant of Police for the City of Revere

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of civil rights claims against the City of Revere and summary judgment for a police officer, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove discriminatory animus or municipal liability. The court held that the officer's actions were motivated by a desire to end a harassing relationship rather than national origin bias, and that no criminal proceedings were ever commenced to support a malicious prosecution claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Qualified Immunity
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Jan 5 2026
11th Cir. 24-13788 Per Curiam

Ginna Alejandra Gutierrez-Mikan v. U.S. Attorney General

The Eleventh Circuit denied a petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision rejecting asylum and Convention Against Torture claims by Colombian nationals. The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency's finding that the Colombian government did not acquiesce to FARC violence and that the petitioner failed to meet procedural requirements for an ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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