Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Fourth Circuit held that a criminal offense carrying a maximum sentence of twelve months qualifies as a crime for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed under federal immigration law. Consequently, the petitioner's Virginia Class 1 misdemeanor conviction renders him ineligible for cancellation of removal.
The Fifth Circuit denied the petition for rehearing en banc, affirming that it remains bound by Supreme Court precedent allowing sentencing courts to consider conduct for which a defendant was acquitted. While the court expressed deep concern regarding the constitutional and fairness implications of this practice, it concluded that the specific facts of this case did not warrant a departure from binding authority.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Chong Lee's habeas corpus petition, holding that while the State of Wisconsin likely violated his due process rights by failing to disclose and intentionally destroying evidence, the state court's chosen remedy was not an unreasonable application of federal law. The court emphasized that although the State's conduct undermined foundational justice principles, the petitioner failed to meet the high bar required under AEDPA to overturn the state court's decision.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the armed robbery convictions of Fredrick Eugene Carney and William John Ewing, rejecting challenges to the denial of severance, the admission of other-acts evidence, and the sufficiency of the evidence for a firearms conviction. The court also upheld the denial of Carney's motion to suppress, finding he lacked standing to challenge the seizure of his vehicle from a third party's residence.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed Ryan Carl Lowmaster's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge as foreclosed by binding circuit precedent. The court relied on its prior decision in Vincent v. Garland, which was readopted after the Supreme Court denied certiorari on the matter.
The Fifth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' refusal to grant deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture. The court found substantial evidence supported the conclusion that El Salvador's prison conditions are not specifically intended to inflict torture and that the petitioner's future risk of torture remains speculative.
The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights case brought by a Philadelphia activist against police officers and the city. The court held that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate personal involvement by the defendants in his arrest or any violation of his First Amendment rights.
The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion to reopen a final habeas judgment based on the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision. The court held that a change in administrative law deference principles does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance under Rule 60(b)(6) when the new legal theory is unrelated to the original claim.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed Michael Bailey's conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, ruling that evidence of his coordination from prison was sufficient to prove the crime. The court rejected challenges regarding jury instructions and the admission of evidence related to gang affiliation and disciplinary records.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for release pending the resolution of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. The court held that Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 9 governs release in a criminal case but does not apply to release pending post-conviction relief.
