Topic

Criminal

Every decision we've filed under Criminal.

Related topics

Civil 3414 Summary Judgment 812 Sentencing Guidelines 723 Civil Rights - Section 1983 653 Immigration (Civil) 649 Constitutional 538 Supervised Release 475 Drug Trafficking 445 Civil Rights - Employment 370 Firearms 323 Qualified Immunity 252 Anders Brief 243
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
Feb 25 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-557 8-0

Villarreal v. Texas

The Supreme Court held that a trial court may prohibit a testifying defendant from discussing his own testimony with counsel during an overnight recess without violating the Sixth Amendment. The Court clarified that while defendants retain rights to consult on tactics and sentencing, they have no constitutional entitlement to confer about ongoing testimony itself.

Criminal Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Violent Crimes
Read summary →