Designated for publication Jones, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Oldham), Oldham, J., dissenting; habeas corpus, prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel Reversing in part and affirming in part denial of § 2255 petition; reversing district court’s application of procedural bar to claim of breach of plea agreement by Assistant U.S. Attorneys, but affirming disposition of IAC claim. … More August 17, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Higginson, Willett), attorney discipline Affirming three-judge district court panel’s decision imposing a 12-month suspension from practice in front of that court after substance-abuse-related inappropriate courtroom behavior and failures to show up for clients’ sentencing hearings. The Court rejected the attorney’s argument that only the presiding judge can impose sanctions … More August 11-14, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Douglas, J. (Wiener, Graves, Douglas), prisoner suit Vacating dismissal of Louisiana state prisoner’s § 1983 suit as frivolous, and remanding for further proceedings. The Court held that the magistrate and district court judges abused their discretion in finding as frivolous the plaintiff’s claim that his procedural due process rights were violated when … More August 10, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Duncan, J. (Wiener, Southwick, Duncan), breach of contract, COVID-19 Reversing dismissal of students’ putative class claims for breach of contract when defendant university failed to refund tuition and fees after switching to remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that the plaintiffs had adequately pled a breach of contract claim; but certifying … More July 19-20, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Richman, Wiener, Willett), Wiener, J., concurring; Title IX, sec. 1983 Denying rehearing en banc, and withdrawing prior panel opinion and substituting new opinion, reversing denial of qualified immunity dismissal of sec. 1983 claim on state-created danger grounds, and remanding for proceedings of Title IX claims arising from sexual assault of … More July 14-18, 2023, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Richman, Dennis, Haynes), prisoner suit Vacating 41(b) dismissal of Texas state prisoner’s § 1983 suit, concluding that lesser sanctions would prompt diligent prosecution of suit, and remanding for further proceedings. per curiam (Graves, Ho, Duncan), breach of contract Reversing judgment on jury verdict in favor of company’s former CEO on his breach … More May 31, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Clement, J. (Clement, Oldham, Wilson), Oldham, J., concurring; insurance Affirming dismissal of insured’s suit against insurer on pollution liability policy, where insured sought defense from charges that it had intentionally dumped polluted polluted wastewater into city sewer system and policy only covered “accidents.” Judge Oldham concurred in the judgment, but for a … More May 19-22, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Richman, King, Higginson), criminal, sentencing, Speedy Trial Act Affirming convictions and 540-month sentence for armed robberies of cell phone stores. The Court held that there was no Speedy Trial Act violation where the defendant’s counsel sought a continuance on the indictment past the Act’s 30-day deadline, holding that the Government … More May 11-16, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Clement, Graves, Higginson), breach of contract, mootness Affirming district court’s affirmance of bankruptcy court’s denial of motion to assume an executory contract, upholding finding that there was insufficient evidence in the record to show that, under Texas law, there was sufficient identification of the property or an offer or acceptance … More May 3, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, sentencing, Brady violation, restitution Affirming convictions of depriving two persons of their constitutional rights under color of law, arising from defendant’s sexual assault of two men while a police officer, and concurrent sentences of 12 and 360 months. The Court held that withheld evidence was not … More April 6-12, 2023, opinions
