Decisions

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

Dec 30 2024
9th Cir. 2:20-cr-00095- Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. LARRY SENG IN

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's suppression order, ruling that handcuffing a suspect during a traffic stop did not constitute an unlawful de facto arrest. The panel held that officers had a reasonable basis to fear for their safety given an unsecured firearm and the suspect's uncooperative demeanor.

Dec 30 2024
9th Cir. 9:21-cr-00029- Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL BLAKE DEFRANCE

The Ninth Circuit reversed Michael Blake DeFrance's conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted domestic abuser because his prior state offense did not legally require physical force. The court held that Montana's assault statute is too broad to qualify as a predicate offense under federal law because it can be violated by inflicting emotional distress alone.

Dec 30 2024
2nd Cir. 23-793 Per Curiam

Carroll v. Trump

The Second Circuit affirmed the $5 million judgment against Donald Trump, ruling that the district court properly admitted evidence of prior sexual misconduct and a 2005 recording under Federal Rules of Evidence 415 and 404(b). The court held that Trump failed to demonstrate any reversible error or that such rulings affected his substantial rights, thereby denying his request for a new trial.

Dec 30 2024
2nd Cir. 22-585 Panel Decision

Edwards v. Arocho

The Second Circuit vacated the dismissal of a pretrial detainee's Fourteenth Amendment claims regarding unsanitary conditions and segregation without a hearing. The court also reversed summary judgment on a failure-to-protect claim, finding a factual dispute over whether the plaintiff exhausted administrative remedies under the PLRA.

Dec 27 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2708 Panel Decision

United States ex rel. Camburn v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

The Second Circuit established that a False Claims Act claim based on an Anti-Kickback Statute violation requires alleging that at least one purpose of the remuneration was to induce fraudulent conduct. The court partially affirmed the dismissal of the complaint, allowing specific allegations regarding sham speaker events and excessive compensation to proceed while rejecting other claims for insufficient particularity.

Dec 23 2024
9th Cir. 21-1096 Published

VITALIY CHMUKH v. MERRICK B. GARLAND, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum and withholding of removal for a Ukrainian national convicted of possessing a stolen vehicle. The court held that the Washington state statute aligns with the federal definition of an aggravated felony and that the conviction constitutes a particularly serious crime.

Dec 23 2024
2nd Cir. 23-282 Panel Decision

Qorrolli v. Metropolitan Dental Associates, D.D.S. - 225 Broadway, P.C.: Qorrolli v. Metropolitan Dental Associates, D.D.S. – 225 Broadway, P.C.

The Second Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to grant a new trial in a sexual harassment case after a jury awarded excessive damages. The appellate court held that the initial $2 million punitive damages award indicated jury prejudice and that the exclusion of the plaintiff's psychiatric records did not abuse judicial discretion.

Dec 20 2024
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-00850-IM 2-1

ANDREW CHARLES NISBET v. SPIRIT ROSE BRIDGER

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a father's petition to return his two young children to Scotland under the Hague Convention. The court held that the children lacked a habitual residence in Scotland because their mother never intended to settle there and the children lacked meaningful social ties to the country.

Dec 20 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2652 Panel Decision

United States v. Torres

The Second Circuit affirmed convictions for RICO conspiracy and related firearm offenses against three Rollin' 30s Crips leaders, rejecting challenges to evidence sufficiency and jury instructions. The court dismissed one defendant's appeal regarding a sentencing departure for lack of jurisdiction, leaving his 288-month prison term intact.

Dec 20 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2976 Panel Decision

United States v. Torres

The Second Circuit affirmed RICO and firearm convictions for three Rollin' 30s Crips leaders, rejecting claims of insufficient evidence and trial errors. The court dismissed one defendant's sentencing appeal for lack of jurisdiction while upholding the remaining judgments.