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Mar 30 2026
11th Cir. 1:20-cv-05231-JPB Published

A.G. v. Northbrook Industries, Inc. d.b.a. United Inn and Suites

The Eleventh Circuit clarified that hotel operators may be liable under the TVPRA if they provide personalized support to sex trafficking operations, going beyond mere room rentals. The court vacated summary judgments, ruling that plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence of staff participation and knowledge to create jury questions on civil liability.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Summary Judgment
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Mar 30 2026
9th Cir. 3:20-cr-03419-TWR-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KEVIN ANDRE BARNES

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress text messages, ruling that the government's one-year retention of a defendant's cellphone was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. The court held that the prompt initial seizure, pandemic-related delays, and the defendant's failure to request the device's return outweighed the duration of the hold.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
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Mar 30 2026
4th Cir. 25-2423 Per Curiam

Andrew Chien v. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles; Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr.; Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, III; Judge James Andrew Wynn; Judge Pamela A. Harris; Judge Robert B. K...: Andrew Chien v. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles; Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr.; Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, III; Judge James Andrew Wynn; Judge Pamela A. Harris; Judge Robert B. K…

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit against seven federal judges, holding that they are protected by absolute judicial immunity. The court found no reversible error in concluding that the judges' alleged conduct fell within their judicial capacity.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 30 2026
4th Cir. 25-2451 Per Curiam

Adkins v. Rosslyn Syndicate, LC

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of multiple emergency motions filed by pro se appellant Dora L. Adkins, finding no reversible error in the lower court's rulings. Citing a pattern of numerous meritless appeals, the court ordered Adkins to show cause why it should not impose a prefiling injunction or monetary sanctions for abusing the judicial process.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 27 2026
6th Cir. 24-3907 Published

ERIC S. SMITH v. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FINANCIAL INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY, INC

The Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review of an SEC order upholding FINRA sanctions against a securities broker who refused to register with the self-regulatory organization. The court held that the broker was statutorily 'associated with a member' and thus subject to FINRA's jurisdiction, while rejecting his constitutional challenges due to failure to exhaust administrative remedies.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Mar 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-10886 Panel Decision

Chasity Congious, by and through her Guardian, Kimberly Hammond v. Aaron Ivy Shaw, DO Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Dr. Aaron Shaw, holding that the plaintiff failed to prove he had subjective knowledge of a substantial risk of serious harm to the pretrial detainee. The court ruled that because the Medical Director did not personally review the specific email detailing the inmate's symptoms, he lacked the requisite awareness to establish a constitutional violation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-30113 Per Curiam

United States v. Brown

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Elijah Brown's bank fraud sentence while vacating and remanding the restitution order for recalculation. The court rejected challenges to the vulnerable victim and role enhancement adjustments, finding the district court's application of the Sentencing Guidelines plausible and supported by the record.

Criminal Fraud Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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