Designated for publication Ho, J. (Stewart, Higginson, Ho) (no oral argument), removal, diversity jurisdiction, personal tort Vacating remand order in case removed on basis of diversity jurisdiction, and remanding to federal district court for further proceedings. Rubidia De Chavez and other plaintiffs brought a state-law tort suit following the death of her husband against several … More October 30, 2026, decisions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Haynes, Higginson, Ho) (oral argument), standing, breach of contract, Federal Wiretap Act Reversing dismissal of suit based on use of Meta “Pixel” on defendant’s website, on standing grounds, and remanding. Eyemart Express operates retail stores and a website where customers browse products, purchase prescription eyewear, and schedule eye exams. Eyemart … More October 23, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Clement, J. (Elrod, Clement, Oldham) (no oral argument), administrative law Granting petition for review of FCC creation of entity to administer universal service programs, and remanding to FCC. The FCC collects billions of dollars annually from telecommunications carriers to fund universal service programs—Lifeline, High Cost, E-Rate, and Rural Health—through the Universal Service … More October 15, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Douglas, J. (Clement, Oldham, Douglas) (oral argument withdrawn), breach of contract, expert witness, mandate Affirming defense judgment after bench trial on remand from reversal of earlier summary judgment for defendant. Energy trading firm MIECO contracted with natural gas producer Pioneer for the daily sale of 20,000 million British thermal units of natural … More October 8, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Ho, Duncan) (no oral argument), habeas corpus, Atkins, timeliness Denying motion for authorization to file a successive habeas application and for stay of execution. Jamaal Howard, convicted of murder and sentenced to death for the 2000 shooting death of Vickie Swartout in Silsbee, Texas, was scheduled for execution on … More October 5, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Wiener, Willett, Douglas) (oral argument on original setting, prior to Supreme Court remand); Federal Tort Claims Act On remand from U.S. Supreme Court, affirming dismissal of plaintiff’s tort claims arising from refusal to deliver mail, modified to be dismissal without prejudice. Lebene Konan alleged that USPS mail carrier Raymond Rojas … More September 3, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (King, Smith, Ramirez) (oral argument), criminal, restitution Affirming restitution award on misdemeanor depravation of rights conviction. Luis Enrique Padilla, the former chief of the Sunset Police Department in Sunset, Louisiana, used excessive force against a handcuffed individual, R.A., during a hit-and-run investigation in December 2023. Padilla “warned ‘let me show … More September 1, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Haynes, Oldham) (no oral argument), criminal, sentencing, guilty plea On remand from U.S. Supreme Court, dismissing appeal of conviction and sentence in light of appeal waiver in plea agreement. Davantae London robbed multiple Wal-Mart stores at gunpoint in the Houston area. As part of his plea agreement, he waived … More August 19-21, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Elrod, C.J. (joined by Jones, Smith, Stewart, Richman, Southwick, Graves, Higginson, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, Douglas, Ramirez, JJ.), Haynes, J., concurring in denial only (w/o separate opinion); immigration, amendment Denying, without prejudice, motion to amend on appeal to add five new class representatives Three Venezuelan nationals filed a habeas petition … More August 13, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Southwick, Graves, Wilson) (oral argument withdrawn), Wilson, J., concurring; arbitration Affirming denial of defendant’s motion to compel arbitration. Floor and Decor Outlets of America (“F&D”), a national flooring retailer, contracted with MAPP, L.L.C., a local Louisiana construction management company, for the building of a retail store in Metairie, Louisiana. F&D … More August 6, 2026, opinions
