Decisions

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

Jul 10 2026

4th Cir. 25-1369 Per Curiam

POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY, LLC; BRICKSTREET/ENCOVA MUTUAL INSURANCE v. DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; RONNIE L. WOLFORD: POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY, LLC; BRICKSTREET/ENCOVA MUTUAL INSURANCE v. DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; RONNIE L. WOLFORD

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Black Lung Benefits Act award. The court affirmed that an administrative law judge properly weighed conflicting medical evidence to find a miner totally disabled.

Civil Labor

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Jul 10 2026

8th Cir. 25-2350 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Christopher Howes

The Eighth Circuit affirmed sentencing decisions for two defendants convicted of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution. The court upheld an above-Guidelines sentence for Christopher Howes and rejected challenges to enhancements applied to Salvador Caracena-Zarates.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines

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Jul 10 2026

4th Cir. 25-2195 Per Curiam

Paul Schultz v. H. Jason Gold

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed multiple district court orders in a consolidated bankruptcy appeal involving Paul Schultz. The court dismissed two additional appeals for lack of jurisdiction over non-final orders.

Appellate Jurisdiction Bankruptcy Civil Summary Judgment

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Jul 10 2026

6th Cir. 25-1775 Published

United States v. Cornwell

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a federal sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm where the district court declined to specify whether the term would run concurrently or consecutively to an anticipated state sentence. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion due to insufficient information regarding the pending state parole revocation.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines

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Jul 10 2026

5th Cir. 24-11000 Per Curiam

United States v. Castro

The Fifth Circuit dismissed part of a tax fraud defendant's appeal for lack of jurisdiction and affirmed the remainder of his conviction and sentence. The court also dismissed a separate appeal regarding bail pending appeal as moot.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release

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Jul 10 2026

5th Cir. 24-50787 Per Curiam

United States v. Schubert

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a habeas motion challenging a federal sentence. The court held that the defendant failed to prove prejudice because the sentencing judge imposed a sentence below the correct Guidelines range independent of the erroneous calculation.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines

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Jul 10 2026

5th Cir. 25-60701 Per Curiam

United States v. Cooper

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion for reconsideration regarding a sentence reduction. The court held that a statutory life sentence for carjacking resulting in death could not be altered by a retroactive change to the Sentencing Guidelines.

Compassionate Release Criminal Sentencing Guidelines

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Jul 10 2026

8th Cir. 25-2103 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Lekemia D'Andre Caster: United States of America v. Lekemia D’Andre Caster

The Eighth Circuit enforced a valid appeal waiver in a federal drug conspiracy case, dismissing the defendant's challenge to his guilty plea. The court found the defendant knowingly and voluntarily entered the plea agreement despite objections to specific drug quantities.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Guidelines

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Jul 10 2026

4th Cir. 25-1306 Panel Decision

Lee v. West Virginia University Medical Corporation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the defendant on most employment claims brought by a former department chair. However, the court vacated the lower court's ruling on a retaliation claim regarding the accelerated timeline of the plaintiff's removal.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Jul 10 2026

4th Cir. 25-1226 Per Curiam

ELENA GARCIA-CHILEL v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted a petition for review and vacated an immigration order due to procedural errors by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The court found that the agency failed to properly analyze the likelihood of collateral relief when denying a continuance for a U visa application.

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