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Feb 26 2026
4th Cir. 25-4248 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SIDNEY DERROD EVANS, a/k/a Dooley

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence imposed after revoking a defendant's supervised release, rejecting the claim that the upward-variant sentence was plainly unreasonable. The court held that the district court exercised broad discretion and provided an adequate explanation based on the defendant's escalating violations and the need for public protection.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Feb 26 2026
11th Cir. 3:18-cr-209-MMH-MCR Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JIMMY RAY LIGHTSEY

The Eleventh Circuit vacated Jimmy Ray Lightsey's sentence, holding that his prior conviction for attempted armed robbery under Florida law does not qualify as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court determined that the elements of Florida's attempt statute do not always require proof of the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Feb 25 2026
5th Cir. 24-20379 Panel Decision

Radley Bradford v. Sovereign Pest Control of TX, Inc.

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a pest control company, holding that a customer provided prior express consent for pre-recorded calls by providing his phone number in a service contract. The court clarified that the TCPA statute requires only express consent for informational calls, rejecting the argument that written consent is mandatory for all pre-recorded calls.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Summary Judgment
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Feb 25 2026
3rd Cir. 24-3084 Panel Decision

DANA THORNTON v. STATE OF NEW JERSEY; ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS; TONYA HOPSON

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's federal civil rights claims arising from a state custody dispute, ruling that state officials and judges are protected by immunity doctrines. The court held that the plaintiff failed to plead an ongoing violation of federal law necessary to bypass sovereign immunity and did not allege that judicial actors acted outside their jurisdiction.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Motion to Dismiss
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Feb 25 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1201 Panel Decision

In re JORDAN ZAHLER

The Third Circuit denied a pro se petitioner's request for a writ of mandamus, ruling that he failed to meet the high burden required for such an extraordinary remedy. The court held that the District Court's decisions on default judgment, recusal, and dismissal were not subject to mandamus review under established legal standards.

Civil Insurance
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Feb 25 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2324 Panel Decision

BRIAN BROWN v. BROOKE CIVIELLO, PSYCHOLOGIST; JOYCE KNOWLES, PSYCH DOCTOR; and DR. BLOOM, PSYCH DOCTOR

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a prison psychologist but reversed the lower court's ruling against two medical defendants in an Eighth Amendment suicide prevention case. The court held that while the psychologist's actions were reasonable, the medical defendants' failure to personally evaluate a suicidal inmate created a genuine dispute of material fact regarding deliberate indifference.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Feb 25 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-557 8-0

Villarreal v. Texas

The Supreme Court held that a trial court may prohibit a testifying defendant from discussing his own testimony with counsel during an overnight recess without violating the Sixth Amendment. The Court clarified that while defendants retain rights to consult on tactics and sentencing, they have no constitutional entitlement to confer about ongoing testimony itself.

Criminal Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Violent Crimes
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