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Constitutional

Every decision we've filed under Constitutional.

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Civil 3399 Criminal 1956 Summary Judgment 806 Sentencing Guidelines 718 Civil Rights - Section 1983 647 Immigration (Civil) 646 Supervised Release 473 Drug Trafficking 443 Civil Rights - Employment 367 Firearms 319 Qualified Immunity 251 Anders Brief 242
Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 24-1894 Panel Decision

JOHN A. HAWKINS v. MARK SEVIER

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a habeas petition challenging the deprivation of nearly 19 years of good time credits for a violent attack on a correctional officer. The court held that the administrative record contained sufficient evidence to support the finding of serious bodily injury and that the sanction was not grossly disproportionate under the Eighth Amendment.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Feb 23 2026
1st Cir. 22-1055 Panel Decision

ANTHONY M. SHEA v. UNITED STATES

The First Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of Anthony Shea's request to vacate his federal firearms convictions, ruling that instructional errors regarding predicate crimes were harmless. The court also upheld the resentencing of Shea based on the erroneous application of the career offender guideline, which the government conceded no longer applied.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
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Feb 20 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cr-20374-RKA-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOAN MANUEL ESTADELLA

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions of Joan Manuel Estadella for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The court rejected challenges to the denial of a motion to suppress, the admission of evidence, and the sentencing calculation based on drug purity.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Sentencing Guidelines
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Feb 19 2026
8th Cir. 25-3248 Panel Decision

Herrera Avila v. Bondi

The Eighth Circuit reversed a district court order granting habeas relief to a Mexican citizen detained without bond during removal proceedings. The appellate court held that the statutory phrase 'seeking admission' in 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) is synonymous with 'applicant for admission,' thereby authorizing mandatory detention for unadmitted aliens present in the interior of the United States.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Feb 13 2026
11th Cir. 0:23-cv-60762-RKA Published

Winston Calder v. Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Winston Calder's federal habeas petition, holding that the state court's finding of no prejudice constituted an adjudication on the merits under AEDPA. The court concluded that the state court's determination that the evidence was sufficient for conviction without the challenged impeachment statement was not an unreasonable application of federal law.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Feb 13 2026
7th Cir. 24-2962 Panel Decision

ARTURO SOLIS v. STEVEN MERENDINO, Warden

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's habeas petition, holding that the Ex Post Facto Clause does not prohibit applying an amended statute that extends the time period for collecting criminal fines. The court ruled that because the original liability period had not expired when the law changed, the amendment did not constitute retroactive punishment.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Feb 12 2026
7th Cir. 25-2779 Panel Decision

WILLIAM CLYDE GIBSON III v. RON NEAL

The Seventh Circuit reversed a district court order transporting a death row inmate for mental health testing, holding that the All Writs Act does not authorize such measures without a sufficient nexus to a specific claim for relief. The court found the petitioner failed to demonstrate how the requested brain scans would be admissible evidence to support his equitable tolling argument.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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