Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Eleventh Circuit denied Natalia Morozova's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order affirming the denial of her claim for withholding of removal. The court held that the agency's findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the proposed particular social group was not cognizable under immigration law.
The Tenth Circuit denied Robert G. Johnson's request to file a second or successive habeas petition because the evidence he presented was identical to evidence previously rejected by the court. The court reaffirmed that Johnson failed to make the required prima facie showing of newly discovered exculpatory evidence under 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(2)(B).
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a mandatory minimum sentence for a drug conspirator, ruling that joint occupancy of a residence where a firearm was found constitutes constructive possession. This finding rendered the defendant ineligible for the statutory safety valve that would have otherwise allowed the court to disregard the mandatory minimum.
The Third Circuit affirmed a 219-month prison sentence for federal carjacking and firearm charges, rejecting the appellant's challenges based on a binding appellate waiver. The court held that while an ineffective assistance of counsel claim was not barred by the waiver, it could not be adjudicated on direct appeal and must be pursued in a collateral proceeding.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of Michael Stephen Combs' federal habeas petition challenging his murder conviction and death sentence. The panel held that the California Supreme Court's silent denial of Combs' ineffective assistance of counsel claims was not an unreasonable application of the Strickland standard.
The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of three police officers' claims that a rival officer's promotion to Chief violated their constitutional rights. The court held that the officers failed to plead facts showing their non-promotion was motivated by protected speech or association.
The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers and municipalities in a civil rights case arising from a drunk driving crash and subsequent arrest. The court held that the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop the appellant and that the force used to subdue him was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's dismissal of Urve Maggitti's pro se civil rights complaint, ruling that she forfeited her challenge by failing to develop arguments in her brief. The court further held that the District Court acted within its discretion to consolidate related cases and deny recusal motions based on the plaintiff's disagreement with prior rulings.
The First Circuit affirmed Jacob Parlin's conviction for drug distribution and conspiracy, ruling that any error in admitting a police officer's lay testimony regarding drug quantities was harmless. The court held that wiretapped conversations and the sheer volume of methamphetamine provided sufficient evidence of intent to distribute independent of the officer's testimony.
The Eleventh Circuit denied a pro se petition for permission to appeal bankruptcy court orders because the mandatory statutory certification required for direct review was never obtained. Without this certification from the bankruptcy court, district court, or a bankruptcy appellate panel, the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
