Topic

Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)

Every decision we've filed under Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241).

AHMED I. ISSA v. WARDEN, SMITH STATE PRISON CHARLES MEEMS

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Ahmed Issa's habeas appeal sua sponte because he filed his notice of appeal before the district court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation. The court held that a magistrate's recommendation is not a final judgment until adopted, and a premature appeal cannot be cured by the district court's subsequent action.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)

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Mar 10 2026

11th Cir. 1:23-cv-21478-RNS Per Curiam

RENELL JONES v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Renell Jones's habeas petition, ruling that Florida state courts reasonably applied federal law regarding his Miranda waiver and invocation of counsel. The court held that a detective's mischaracterization of a rights form as a literacy test did not invalidate the waiver, and that Jones's statements regarding an attorney were too equivocal to require police to stop questioning.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)

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Mar 10 2026

11th Cir. 1:25-cv-02372-MHC Per Curiam

JORDAN KERSAINT v. WARDEN VALDOSTA STATE PRISON

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed a habeas appeal because the petitioner filed his notice of appeal before the district court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation. The court held that a magistrate's recommendation is not a final order until adopted, and a subsequent adoption cannot cure a premature filing.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)

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Mar 9 2026

10th Cir. 6:22-CR-00037-RAW-2) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. LEILONI BLAKE SMITH

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Leiloni Blake Smith's conviction for sexual abuse and exploitation of her minor children, ruling that alleged evidentiary errors and prosecutorial misconduct did not prejudice her duress defense. The court held that the overwhelming video evidence of the abuse rendered any trial errors harmless under both the plain error and harmless error standards.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)

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Mar 6 2026

10th Cir. 1:21-CR-00670-JB-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KYLE AGUILAR

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Kyle Aguilar's convictions for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, ruling that the statute treats touching different body parts as separate criminal acts. The court further held that the victim's testimony provided sufficient evidence for a jury to infer the defendant's intent to gratify his sexual desire.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Double Jeopardy Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)

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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 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 2 2026

7th Cir. 22-1082 Panel Decision

CROTHERSVILLE LIGHTHOUSE TABERNACLE CHURCH, INCORPORATED v. CHURCH MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, S.I

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an insurer, holding that a church breached its policy by delaying repairs for two years while disputing cost estimates. The court ruled that the contractual obligation to rebuild 'as soon as reasonably possible' is a strict condition precedent that cannot be bypassed by valuation disputes.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Summary Judgment

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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 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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