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Constitutional

Every decision we've filed under Constitutional.

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May 4 2026
4th Cir. 25-1514 Per Curiam

ESTATE OF KATHERINE MONICA VICKERS, Rupa Vickers Russe as the Executor of the Estate and RUPA VICKERS RUSSE v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment dismissing a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs. The appellate court held that the plaintiff's claims were time-barred and that her gender discrimination claim was unexhausted.

Constitutional Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection Statute of Limitations
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 26-6116 Per Curiam

Deanna Sharp v. South Carolina Department of Social Services

The Fourth Circuit dismissed Deanna Sharp's appeal from a district court order denying her habeas petition because she filed her notice of appeal past the mandatory thirty-day deadline. The court held that strict adherence to the filing period is a jurisdictional requirement, leaving the appellate court without authority to hear the case.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-6939 Per Curiam

Kevin Mark Willson v. Director South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal from a district court order denying a habeas corpus petition. The court held that the petitioner forfeited his right to appellate review by failing to file specific objections to a magistrate judge's recommendation.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-6798 Per Curiam

JOHN ANTHONY MICHAEL WILLIAMS v. DIRECTOR OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY DETENTION CENTER

The Fourth Circuit dismissed John Anthony Michael Williams's appeal for lack of jurisdiction because he filed his notice of appeal more than two years after the deadline. The court held that the 30-day filing requirement for civil appeals is a strict jurisdictional limit that cannot be extended without a specific district court order.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-6625 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. XAVIER MILTON EARQUHART

The Fourth Circuit dismissed Xavier Milton Earquhart's federal habeas appeal because he failed to make the requisite substantial showing that reasonable jurists could debate the district court's denial of constitutional relief. The court independently reviewed the record and found no debatable constitutional claims or procedural errors warranting further review.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255)
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-6600 Per Curiam

TIMOTHY O'NEIL BULLOCK v. JOSEPH WALTERS, Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections; COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY GENERAL

The Fourth Circuit denied a certificate of appealability and dismissed Timothy Bullock's appeal of his dismissed habeas petition because he failed to make a substantial showing that reasonable jurists could debate the district court's procedural ruling. The court held that Bullock's informal brief was insufficient to preserve any issues for review, resulting in the immediate termination of the appellate proceeding.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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