Topic

Constitutional

Every decision we've filed under Constitutional.

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Civil 2084 Criminal 1218 Summary Judgment 466 Sentencing Guidelines 413 Civil Rights - Section 1983 395 Immigration (Civil) 354 Supervised Release 285 Drug Trafficking 272 Firearms 213 Civil Rights - Employment 204 Intellectual Property 159 Qualified Immunity 151
Mar 5 2026
3rd Cir. 2:13-cv-06437 Panel Decision

JOSE MENDEZ v. SUPERINTENDENT HOUTZDALE SCI; THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA; THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA

The Third Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw from a habeas corpus appeal after determining the case presented no nonfrivolous issues. The court affirmed the District Court's denial of Jose Mendez's petition challenging his first-degree murder conviction.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 4 2026
6th Cir. 25-5800 Published

Weatherholt v. Crockett County, TN School Board

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the Weatherholts' Fourth Amendment excessive force claim, ruling that their complaint failed to plausibly allege a constitutional violation. The court held that the plaintiffs' bare assertions of force were insufficient to survive a motion to dismiss, particularly given video evidence that contradicted their version of events.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
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Mar 4 2026
10th Cir. 5:25-CV-00052-R) Panel Decision

BANI MORENO v. ATTORNEY GENERAL, DHS/ICE/DOJ

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Bani Moreno's habeas petition challenging his 2022 removal, holding that he was not 'in custody' within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 2241 because he remained outside the United States. The court concluded that a non-citizen residing abroad lacks the requisite custody status to invoke federal habeas jurisdiction for immigration removal proceedings.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Supervised Release
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Mar 4 2026
3rd Cir. 23-2590 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DEON BLAIR

The Third Circuit affirmed Deon Blair's criminal sentence, rejecting his pro se arguments regarding ineffective assistance of counsel, jury trial waiver, and sufficiency of evidence. The court held that Blair knowingly waived his constitutional rights and that the evidence sufficiently supported his conviction for fentanyl distribution resulting in death.

Constitutional Drug Trafficking Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 3 2026
6th Cir. 24-5859 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AMADOR MAGALLON GUERRERO

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Amador Magallon Guerrero's convictions for drug trafficking and money laundering, rejecting his claims that his confession and cellphone searches violated the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. The court held that Guerrero failed to prove his statements were coerced or that his consent to search his phones was involuntary.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Mar 3 2026
10th Cir. 24-9528 Panel Decision

BRUCE ADAMS, d/b/a Southwest Safaris v. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The Tenth Circuit denied a petition to overturn a federal ban on commercial air tours over Bandelier National Monument, ruling that the Agencies' plan was consistent with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act. The court held that the statutory standard for significant adverse impacts under the Air Tour Act differs from the environmental standard under NEPA, allowing the ban to stand despite a finding of no significant environmental impact.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Due Process
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Mar 3 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2479 Panel Decision

HARINDER SINGH v. THOMAS DROPPA; GLENN LAURITSEN; BOROUGH OF SOUTH RIVER; OFFICE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT; BUILDING DEPARTMENT; STATE OF NEW JERSEY; SOUTH RIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT COM...

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Harinder Singh's fourth amended complaint, ruling that he failed to state plausible claims for Eighth Amendment excessive fines or municipal liability. The court held that further amendment would be futile given Singh's history of defective pleadings and the lack of new factual allegations.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Takings
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Mar 3 2026
3rd Cir. 25-2075 Panel Decision

LOUIS G. DOVER v. JOHN DOE, SUPERVISOR; SARAH COTHREN; DAVID TERAN

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a plaintiff's Bivens claim alleging Fourth Amendment violations by National Park Service Rangers. The court held that the existence of an alternative administrative remedial structure constitutes a special factor counseling hesitation, precluding the recognition of a new Bivens remedy in this context.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
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