Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for state defendants, holding that states and their agencies are not "persons" subject to suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This ruling forecloses federal civil rights claims against state entities regardless of any waiver of sovereign immunity.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Patrick Hall's § 2255 motion, ruling that the district court did not violate the *Clisby* mandate by resolving his ineffective assistance claim in a single sentence. The appellate court found that the district court's reliance on credibility findings and the lack of prejudice established a sufficient record for meaningful review.
The Fourth Circuit vacated Richard Davis's health care fraud convictions because the government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that specific Medicaid claims submitted on two dates were actually false. The court held that without evidence showing the counselors did not provide the requisite five hours of reimbursable services on those days, the jury could not legally find guilt.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment against state defendants in a Section 1983 suit, holding that states and their agencies are not 'persons' subject to suit under the federal statute. The court also upheld the district court's decision to remand state law claims against an individual defendant to state court while retaining jurisdiction over state claims against the state itself.
The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order rejecting an asylum seeker's claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture. The court held that the petitioner's due process arguments were either foreclosed by precedent or unexhausted, and his substantive asylum claims were unreviewable because they were not raised before the Board.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling upholding Colorado's ban on unserialized firearms while reversing the lower court's standing determination regarding the purchase of such parts. The appellate court held that the possession ban regulates conduct beyond commercial sales conditions and is not presumptively constitutional under the Second Amendment.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an order dismissing an appeal in a patent dispute between Universal Electronics, Inc. and Roku, Inc. The dismissal was voluntary and based on a stipulation by both parties to withdraw the appeal.
The Ninth Circuit vacated summary judgment on a maritime negligence claim because expert testimony created a genuine dispute over whether a cruise line knew its bathroom design was unreasonably dangerous. However, the court affirmed summary judgment on a negligence per se claim because a movable shower curtain does not qualify as a prohibited obstruction under applicable plumbing codes.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 360-month prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The court rejected the defendant's arguments regarding drug weight calculations and the dangerous weapon enhancement.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the Tax Court's summary judgment upholding a frivolous filing penalty and a separate sanction against Ruben Varela. The court rejected Varela's arguments that income tax liability depends on receiving a governmental privilege and found no abuse of discretion in the sanctions imposed for pursuing meritless positions.
