Designated for publication Wilson, J. (King, Higginson, Wilson) (no oral argument), immigration, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, res judicata Withdrawing December 15, 2025, opinion and substituting new opinion affirming dismissal of challenge to denial of visa for foreign student plaintiff sought to sponsor under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but in change from original panel opinions … More February 12-13, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Elrod, Smith, Wilson) (oral argument), civil rights, injunction, appellate jurisdiction Dismissing for lack of appellate jurisdiction appeal from denial of motion to dismiss or strike plaintiffs’ motion to modify a desegregation injunction for the Parish School Board. The case arises from a long-running school desegregation injunction imposed on the School … More February 10, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Richman, Ho; Dennis on panel but not participating in this order) (oral argument at the merits stage), Ho, J., dissenting from denial of panel rehearing; municipal liability, qualified immunity, First Amendment Denying petition for panel rehearing of October 7, 2025, opinion that had affirmed qualified immunity dismissal of police officers … More January 13, 2026, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Southwick, Higginson, Douglas) (oral argument), removal jurisdiction, lender liability Affirming summary judgment for lender defendant on plaintiff’s claims that lender caused plaintiff to be terminated by one of its clients. Also, held that district court did not err in denying plaintiff’s motion to remand because there was not a clear and … More January 8, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Higginbotham, Ho, Douglas) (oral argument withdrawn), criminal, sentencing Affirming sentence on conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon. The Court affirmed the sentence of Eddie Hudson. The court found no error in the district court’s decision to treat Hudson’s 2008 Arkansas robbery conviction as a prior “crime of … More December 5, 2025, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Smith, Stewart, Haynes) (no oral argument), bankruptcy Affirming bankruptcy court’s dismissal of creditor’s claim for contribution. The court affirmed the bankruptcy court (and district court) in rejecting Spin’s claim that it should be paid under a receivables-sale agreement with Jet Oilfield Services (“Jet”). Under the agreement, Spin paid Jet $3,000,000 … More December 4, 2025, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Jones, Richman, Ramirez) (no oral argument), prisoner suit Dismissing as frivolous appeal from dismissal of Texas state prisoner’s suit, per curiam (Barksdale, Oldham, Douglas) (no oral argument), criminal, sentencing Affirming 121-month sentence on conviction of receipt of child pornography. per curiam (Jones, Richman, Ramirez) (no oral argument), criminal, sentencing Dismissing appeal … More November 12, 2025, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Jones, Duncan, Douglas) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Clement, Southwick, Oldham) (no oral argument), civil Affirming judgment in favor of defendant, with no description of claims or appeal issues. per curiam (Richman, Willett, Douglas) (oral argument), Willett, J., dissenting in part; vaccine … More October 22, 2025, opinions
Designated for publication Douglas, J. (Wiener, Douglas, Ramirez) (oral argument), Ramirez, J., dissenting; habeas corpus, speedy trial, Sixth Amendment, AEDPA Reversing denial of § 2254 petition and remanding with instructions to issue writ of habeas corpus regarding petitioner’s speedy trial claim arising from the elapsing of 1,233 days between his arrest and his state court … More October 16, 2025, opinions
Designated for publication Clement, J. (Clement, Engelhardt, Wilson) (oral argument), Title VII, employment discrimination, labor law, jury instructions, pleadings amendment Denying petition for en banc rehearing, but granting petition for panel rehearing and substituting a new opinion in place of the panel’s May 8, 2025, opinion; reversing the denial of Southwest’s motion for judgment as a matter of law … More October 14-15, 2025, opinions
