Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Edward Lee Brown's appeal sua sponte because he filed his notice of appeal prematurely. The court held that a magistrate judge's report and recommendation is not a final judgment, and the district court's later adoption of that report cannot cure the defect of a premature filing.
The Sixth Circuit vacated the district court's denial of a motion to terminate supervised release because the record failed to demonstrate that the court considered the mandatory sentencing factors. The panel held that a mere checkmark or referral to a probation report without explicit reasoning constitutes an abuse of discretion.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of sovereign immunity against a state superintendent in his official capacity, ruling that Missouri law does not waive immunity for prospective relief regarding expunged records. The court held that while the state cannot be sued for damages, the superintendent remains subject to suit to prevent future dissemination of expunged convictions that lead to unlawful arrests.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of a felon's motion to dismiss his indictment, ruling that binding precedent forecloses Second Amendment challenges to federal firearm possession statutes. The court held that only an en banc panel may overrule prior decisions, preventing the current panel from reconsidering established constitutional interpretations.
The First Circuit affirmed the prison sentences and multi-million dollar forfeiture orders imposed on the Ponzo brothers for their bribery and fraud schemes involving the Mass Save program. The court rejected arguments regarding sentencing guideline calculations, enhancements, and the constitutionality of the forfeiture amounts, finding the district court's decisions supported by the evidence.
The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and multi-million dollar forfeiture orders against the Ponzo brothers, rejecting their challenges to sentencing enhancements and the calculation of criminal proceeds. The court held that the brothers' elaborate bribery scheme involving Mass Save contractors justified the prison terms and forfeiture amounts under federal law.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in favor of Brian Whiteside, ruling that he had standing to sue despite acting as an agent for a corporate entity. The court further held that the jury's finding of justifiable reliance was supported by sufficient evidence and that the exclusion of a disputed tape recording did not prejudice the defendants' substantial rights.
The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and forfeiture orders of the Ponzo brothers, who orchestrated a massive bribery scheme involving the Mass Save energy program. The court rejected arguments regarding sentencing miscalculations and the constitutionality of the multi-million dollar forfeiture, upholding the penalties as reasonable and supported by the evidence.
The First Circuit reversed a district court order allowing the collection of attorneys' fees against Puerto Rico's election commission, holding that the fee award was a discharged claim under Puerto Rico's PROMESA debt restructuring plan. The court ruled that the claim arose before the plan's effective date and was barred because the plaintiffs failed to file a proof of claim by the administrative expense deadline.
The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Kason Jamison's pro se civil rights complaint, ruling that his allegations were too vague to provide defendants with notice of the claims against them. The court further held that amendment would be futile because the named defendants are protected by absolute judicial immunity or are private actors not subject to liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
