Decisions

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

Dec 12 2025
1st Cir. 21-1197 Panel Decision

JAMES GARREY v. SHEILA CREATON KELLY, Superintendent of MCI-Concord

The First Circuit affirmed the denial of James Garrey's habeas petition, ruling that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court did not unreasonably apply federal law in upholding a prosecutor's peremptory strike of a minority juror. The court held that the state trial court's acceptance of the prosecutor's race-neutral explanation was reasonable given the ambiguous record and the high deference required under AEDPA.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Dec 12 2025
11th Cir. 8:22-cr-00221-TPB-SPF-1 Published

United States v. Victor Yoel Perez Cremades

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Victor Cremades' convictions for drug distribution, rejecting his arguments that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's verdict. The court also held that any error in admitting a drug ledger was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. 24-1325 Panel Decision

United States v. Haoyang Yu

The First Circuit affirmed Haoyang Yu's conviction for possessing a stolen trade secret, finding sufficient evidence that he downloaded and retained proprietary microchip design files after leaving Analog Devices. The court also rejected Yu's claim of unconstitutional selective prosecution, ruling that he failed to prove he was treated differently than similarly situated non-Chinese individuals.

Criminal Fraud
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. 23-1585 Panel Decision

United States v. Yu

The First Circuit affirmed Haoyang Yu's conviction for unlawful possession of a stolen trade secret, finding sufficient evidence that he retained proprietary microchip design files after leaving his employer. The court also rejected Yu's constitutional challenges, ruling that the government provided a legitimate, non-discriminatory basis for the investigation and prosecution.

Criminal Fraud
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. Nos. 24-1532, 24-1614, 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court judgment in a family business dispute, finding that the lower court failed to properly apply partnership and implied contract principles to the siblings' decade-long conduct. The appellate court held that the siblings' long-standing practice of treating personal expenses as compensation created an implied agreement, requiring a new determination of Orkin's rightful share of Boost Web funds.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. Nos. 24-1532, 24-1614, 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated a district court judgment that had found siblings liable for defamation and conversion in a dispute over a family business operated without formal corporate structure. The appellate court held that the lower court erred by failing to recognize an implied contract for compensation and by issuing an injunction that exceeded its authority to resolve ownership disputes.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court judgment that failed to recognize an implied contract entitling a sibling to compensation for his decade-long management of a family business. The court also reversed a finding that the sibling's email accusing him of fraud was not defamatory, holding that the statement unambiguously imputed criminal conduct.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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Dec 10 2025
United States Court… 24-5087 Panel Decision

Harold Jean-Baptiste v. United States Department of Justice, et al.

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Harold Jean-Baptiste's complaint, upholding a pre-filing injunction that requires him to obtain court permission before filing pro se actions. The court rejected his motions for FOIA data, appointment of counsel, and relief from the injunction, ruling that his claims were frivolous and barred by the existing order.

Civil FOIA
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Dec 9 2025
11th Cir. 3:22-cv-22688-TKW-HTC Published

Kimberley Diane Settle, A Personal Representative for the Estate of Jacob Joseph Settle Sr v. David Collier

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court's denial of summary judgment, holding that Officer David Collier was entitled to qualified immunity for using deadly force against Jacob Settle. The court concluded that Settle's actions of starting his truck and shifting it into gear created an objectively reasonable belief of imminent threat, even though the vehicle did not move.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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