Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Second Circuit held that proceeding to trial without a competency inquiry was objectively unreasonable given the petitioner's cyclical history of incompetence. The court reversed the district court's denial of habeas relief and remanded with instructions to issue a conditional writ.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a felon-in-possession sentence, holding that the Sentencing Commission's commentary defining a large capacity magazine warrants judicial deference. The court ruled that the term is ambiguous and the Commission's interpretation of over fifteen rounds is reasonable.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed Gail Manney's conviction for making false statements on a federal firearm purchase form, ruling that the Second Amendment does not protect the act of lying to a dealer. The court further held that such misrepresentations are legally material regardless of whether the actual purchaser is legally eligible to own a gun.
The D.C. Circuit held that U.S. district courts have jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to confirm arbitration awards against Spain, even as Spain argued EU law voided the underlying arbitration agreements. However, the court reversed the lower court's decision to enjoin Spain from seeking anti-suit relief in European courts, citing the sensitive nature of imposing such orders on a foreign sovereign.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana's habeas petition challenging his extradition to India. The court held that the extradition treaty's double jeopardy exception applies to charged crimes with distinct elements, not underlying acts, allowing extradition despite Rana's prior U.S. acquittal.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a defamation case, ruling that the appellant's motion for additional discovery was untimely and that the statements were protected by common interest privilege. The court held that the appellant failed to meet the difficult burden of proving actual malice required to overcome that privilege.
The D.C. Circuit vacated the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of a major natural gas pipeline, ruling that the agency arbitrarily overlooked significant environmental consequences and failed to adequately assess market need. The court held that FERC violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Natural Gas Act by ignoring state mandates to reduce gas consumption and failing to properly balance the project's climate impacts.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture relief for an immigrant with a history of childhood abuse. The court held that the petitioner's assault conviction constituted a particularly serious crime and that substantial evidence supported the agency's finding that he was not more likely than not to face future torture in Mexico.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the FBI, holding its search for Freedom of Information Act records was adequate and its withholdings justified. The court rejected the appellant's challenges to the search methodology and his claims of agency misconduct due to a lack of evidentiary support.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of derivative citizenship and Convention Against Torture relief, holding that the petitioner's father established paternity by legitimation under Baja California law. The court excused the waiver of the citizenship claim to avoid manifest injustice but found no genuine dispute of material fact requiring transfer to a district court.
