Decisions

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

Apr 7 2026
10th Cir. 2:24-CR-00086-KHR-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CONRAD TILLMAN

The Tenth Circuit vacated a second-degree murder sentence because the district court improperly applied a sentencing departure for the use of a firearm and failed to adequately justify the extent of its departures. The court held that the use of a weapon in a typical second-degree murder case is already accounted for in the base guidelines, and the district court did not explain why this case fell outside that ordinary range.

Criminal Firearms Guidelines Departure
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Apr 7 2026
10th Cir. 24-9562 Panel Decision

LENIS YAJAIRA LOPEZ-MARTINEZ; LINNEY YAMILETH RODRIGUEZ- LOPEZ v. TODD BLANCHE,1 Acting United States Attorney General

The Tenth Circuit denied a petition for review of a BIA decision denying asylum because the petitioners failed to challenge the agency's finding that the government could control the perpetrator. The court held that without challenging the government's ability to control the ex-partner, the petitioners could not establish the necessary element of past persecution.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 7 2026
10th Cir. 2:22-CV-00942-MV-SCY) Panel Decision

JESUS DOMINGUEZ v. M. RIOS; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

The Tenth Circuit denied Jesus Dominguez's request for a certificate of appealability, upholding the district court's dismissal of his federal habeas petition as untimely. The court found that Dominguez failed to show that reasonable jurists could debate the correctness of the procedural ruling regarding the statute of limitations.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Statute of Limitations
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Apr 6 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-10018-SPG-RAO Unpublished

DAVID A. DIAZ v. MICHEL REY MOORE, RICHARD ALARCON; RICHARD ALATORRE; LAURA CHICK; RUTH GALANTER; MIKE HERNANDEZ; MARK RIDLEY THOMAS; JOEL WACHS; MICHAEL WOO; ZEV YAROLSLAVSKY;...: DAVID A. DIAZ v. MICHEL REY MOORE, RICHARD ALARCON; RICHARD ALATORRE; LAURA CHICK; RUTH GALANTER; MIKE HERNANDEZ; MARK RIDLEY THOMAS; JOEL WACHS; MICHAEL WOO; ZEV YAROLSLAVSKY;…

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of David Diaz's civil rights lawsuit, ruling that his claims are barred because they would imply the invalidity of his 1999 conviction. The court further held that the doctrine of res judicata prevents Diaz from relitigating claims he previously brought in a 2001 suit.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Apr 6 2026
9th Cir. 24-3732 Unpublished

ELADIO RAMON ARELLANO MOLINA; YUSLEIDY DEL CARMEN MARTINEZ MORILLO; ELIAN JOSE ARELLANO MARTINEZ v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order, holding that substantial evidence supported the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of asylum and related relief. The court found the petitioners failed to demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution in Venezuela.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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