Apr 2 2026

9th Cir. 4:22-cr-02701-JGZ-MAA-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JORGE ARMANDO FUENTES- PACHECO

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the drug trafficking convictions and supervised release violation sentence of Jorge Armando Fuentes-Pacheco, ruling that any potential Miranda error regarding a border statement was harmless. The court further held that cellphone images of missed calls were admissible as non-prejudicial evidence inextricably intertwined with the charged offense.

Criminal Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination Supervised Release

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Apr 2 2026

5th Cir. 25-40363 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Noel Mercado Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit remanded the case to correct a clerical error in the Presentence Investigation Report that retained an inapplicable obstruction of justice enhancement. The court ordered the district court to amend the record to ensure official documents accurately reflect the sentencing proceedings without altering the defendant's conviction or sentence.

Criminal Obstruction of Justice Sentencing Guidelines

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Apr 2 2026

9th Cir. 8:21-cv-01317-DOC-DFM Unpublished

CHARLES HEAD v. Officer J. ROCHA, individual; KENNETH CHIN, individual; Police Officer QUINN individual; Officer C. MCPHAIL, Officer Badge no. A171 La Habra Police Department

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers in a civil rights action, ruling that the plaintiff's own deposition testimony defeated his claims of evidence fabrication and malicious prosecution. The court held that the plaintiff's admission that he failed to register his weapon as required by law established probable cause for his arrest, which serves as a complete defense to both constitutional torts.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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Apr 2 2026

5th Cir. 25-30503 Per Curiam

Ivy Cook v. Social Security Administration

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment upholding the Social Security Administration's denial of benefits for an earlier onset date. The court held that substantial evidence supported the Administrative Law Judge's determination that the plaintiff became disabled in August 2021, not February 2021 as claimed.

Civil Social Security

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Apr 2 2026

8th Cir. 25-1033 Panel Decision

Jet Midwest International Co., Ltd v. Jet Midwest Group, LLC; Paul Kraus; Karen Kraus F. Paul Ohadi, in his capacity as trustee and legal representative of the F. Paul Ohadi Tru...: Jet Midwest International Co., Ltd v. Jet Midwest Group, LLC; Paul Kraus; Karen Kraus F. Paul Ohadi, in his capacity as trustee and legal representative of the F. Paul Ohadi Tru…

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's award of attorney's fees but reversed the calculation of prejudgment interest, holding that Missouri's statutory rate applies. The court also vacated the award of expert witness fees, ruling they cannot be recovered as part of attorney's fees under Missouri law.

Bankruptcy Civil

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Apr 2 2026

5th Cir. 25-50371 Per Curiam

United States v. Galvan-Martinez

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of Jorge Galvan-Martinez's motion to suppress evidence, ruling that a Border Patrol agent had reasonable suspicion to stop his vehicle. The court held that the totality of circumstances, including proximity to the border and recent illegal activity, supported the stop under established legal standards.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal)

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Apr 2 2026

8th Cir. 24-3181 Panel Decision

Designworks Homes, Inc.; Charles Lawrence James v. Columbia House of Brokers Realty, Inc., doing business as House of Brokers, Inc doing business as Jackie Bulgin & Associates;...: Designworks Homes, Inc.; Charles Lawrence James v. Columbia House of Brokers Realty, Inc., doing business as House of Brokers, Inc doing business as Jackie Bulgin & Associates;…

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of attorney's fees against a plaintiff for bringing unnecessarily overbroad copyright infringement claims. The court held that the lower court acted within its broad discretion to deter litigation strategies that do not serve the purposes of the Copyright Act.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Apr 2 2026

3rd Cir. 25-1986 Panel Decision

LILI WAN v. CENTRAL TRANSPORT LLC

The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Lili Wan's motion for relief from judgment, ruling that pro se litigants must adhere to the same procedural rules as represented parties. The court held that a failure to submit evidentiary material opposing summary judgment cannot be cured post-judgment through claims of excusable neglect or newly discovered evidence.

Civil Summary Judgment Tort / Personal Injury

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Apr 2 2026

7th Cir. 24-1612 Panel Decision

Stingley v. Laci Transport Inc.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for shuttle truck drivers transporting auto parts, holding their intrastate routes fell within the Fair Labor Standards Act's motor carrier exemption. The court ruled that moving goods from out-of-state storage lots to a Chicago assembly plant was part of a continuous interstate journey.

Civil Labor

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Apr 2 2026

3rd Cir. 25-2754 Panel Decision

MIRYAM PAOLA SOLER-MARTINEZ; D. P.-S v. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit granted the Government's motion for summary action, denying a Colombian national's petition for review of her removal order. The court affirmed the lower agencies' findings that the petitioner failed to exhaust her claims regarding a new particular social group and did not adequately challenge the legal basis for the denial of her asylum applications.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

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