Topic

Criminal

Every decision we've filed under Criminal.

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Civil 2101 Summary Judgment 471 Sentencing Guidelines 419 Civil Rights - Section 1983 399 Immigration (Civil) 358 Constitutional 353 Supervised Release 289 Drug Trafficking 275 Firearms 215 Civil Rights - Employment 205 Intellectual Property 160 Qualified Immunity 153
Feb 27 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1120 Panel Decision

United States v. Hafner

The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Eric Hafner's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, finding he failed to prove ineffective assistance of counsel or a fair and just reason for withdrawal. The court also upheld a 240-month sentence that exceeded the advisory Guidelines range, ruling that the District Court properly applied enhancements for threatening conduct and obstruction.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Violent Crimes
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Feb 27 2026
1st Cir. 23-1795 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES v. EMANUEL MUÑOZ-FONTÁNEZ

The First Circuit affirmed a 144-month sentence for a defendant convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and marijuana distribution. The court held that the district court properly weighed sentencing factors without needing to explicitly address every mitigating fact or explain why recommended sentences were rejected.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Feb 27 2026
11th Cir. 2:19-cr-00004-TPB-NPM-2 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SYLVANIS BRICE

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions for Hobbs Act robbery, holding that federal courts have jurisdiction over generally applicable federal crimes committed by Indians against Indians in Indian country. The court also ruled that while the district court erred by failing to perform an on-the-record balancing test before admitting prior conviction evidence, the error was harmless given the strength of the remaining evidence.

Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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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 26 2026
7th Cir. 23-3060 Panel Decision

Nielsen v. Sexton

The Seventh Circuit affirmed that prison officials violated an inmate's Eighth Amendment rights by using her as bait to catch a sexual predator, but reversed the damages award due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The court ordered a new trial on compensatory and punitive damages while leaving the liability finding intact.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Sex Offenses
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Feb 26 2026
7th Cir. 24-1696 Panel Decision

Nielsen v. Sexton

The Seventh Circuit affirmed that prison officials acted with deliberate indifference by using an inmate as bait to catch a staff member who was sexually assaulting her, rejecting their qualified immunity defense. However, the court reversed the damages award, ordering a new trial because the jury lacked sufficient evidence to link the officials to the abuse prior to their specific knowledge and because the exclusion of evidence regarding the inmate's state of mind prejudiced the punitive damages calculation.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Sex Offenses
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Feb 26 2026
5th Cir. 25-40027 Panel Decision

United States of America Plaintiff— v. David Lopez, Jr Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a five-level sentencing enhancement for distributing child pornography in exchange for valuable consideration but vacated the sentence due to an incorrect application of a pattern-of-activity enhancement. The court held that while Lopez's participation in chatrooms constituted a valid exchange, the government failed to prove the requisite pattern of sexual abuse or exploitation.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Feb 26 2026
3rd Cir. 1:25-cv-00435 Panel Decision

JASON R. TODD v. DERRY TOWNSHIP

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jason Todd's pro se complaint alleging constitutional violations and statutory claims arising from an assault incident. The court held that the amended complaint failed to state a plausible claim for relief under federal screening standards.

Criminal Fraud
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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
7th Cir. 24-1252 Panel Decision

Steinhoff v. Malovrh

The Seventh Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for the officer who tackled a suspect during a drug raid but reversed the immunity grant for a second officer whose rifle struck the suspect's head. The court held that disputed facts regarding whether the blow was intentional or accidental preclude summary judgment on the excessive force claim.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Robbery & Extortion Summary Judgment
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