Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's lawsuit alleging wrongful detention following a sentence reduction. The court held that the plaintiff failed to state a valid claim against federal officials under Bivens and that his tort claim against the government was time-barred.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed a conviction for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, ruling that the defendant forfeited his challenge to the exclusion of video recordings. Because the defendant failed to preserve the evidentiary issue under Federal Rule of Evidence 106, the court applied a plain error standard and found no manifest injustice.
The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Trooper Nicholas Stolar, holding that while omitting self-defense evidence from a probable cause affidavit can violate the Fourth Amendment, the right was not clearly established at the time of the arrest. Consequently, Trooper Stolar retains qualified immunity despite the court's new rule requiring officers to disclose known facts that conclusively negate the mental state of a charged crime.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action involving a search of car dealerships. The court held that law enforcement officers were entitled to qualified immunity despite allegations of judicial deception and an overbroad warrant.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Charles Crenshaw's lawsuit against federal and state prison wardens, ruling that his claims were either time-barred or failed to state a valid legal cause of action. The court held that his Federal Tort Claims Act suit was filed too late and that his constitutional claims lacked the specific factual allegations required to proceed.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of Antoine Gaither's motion to suppress a handgun found in his vehicle, ruling that the deputy had probable cause to search based on the odor of burnt marijuana. The court further held that ordering the driver out of the car was lawful under established precedent, regardless of the duration of the stop.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment revoking Cecil Edward Jackson's supervised release and imposing a sentence of time served followed by one year of supervised release. The court found no abuse of discretion in the revocation or the sentence, noting Jackson's voluntary admission of violations and the district court's adequate explanation.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a carjacking sentence where the defendant claimed entitlement to a sentencing reduction for acceptance of responsibility. The court held that the district court did not clearly err in denying the reduction because the defendant minimized his culpability and made inconsistent statements about the shooting.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking occurring within a foreign nation's Exclusive Economic Zone. The court held that Congress possesses authority under the Felonies Clause to prosecute such conduct and that a vessel becomes subject to U.S. jurisdiction when its master fails to claim nationality.