Unpublished decisions per curiam (Haynes, Graves, Ramirez) (no oral argument), prisoner suit Reversing in part and affirming in part dismissal of Texas state prisoner’s sec. 1983 claims. At issue on appeal was whether a Texas prisoner stated viable 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims for (1) failure to protect under the Eighth Amendment against a sergeant … More July 27, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (en banc), Higginson, J., dissenting from grant of en banc rehearing; criminal, Second Amendment, Commerce Clause, en banc Granting en banc rehearing of June 2 panel decision (Clement, Southwick, Engelhardt) that affirmed a conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon, rejecting an as-applied Second Amendment challenge. In a … More July 20, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Stewart, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), Stewart, J., dissenting in part; mandamus, appellate jurisdiction, voluntary dismissal, school desegregation Dismissing appeal for lack of jurisdiction over judgment that was entered after voluntary dismissal of school desegregation case, and granting mandamus vacating post-dismissal judgment. This school-desegregation case had been pending for more … More July 13-15, 2026, decisions
Designated for publication Elrod, C.J. (Elrod, Willett, Wilson) (oral argument), criminal, sentencing, Sixth Amendment Affirming application of career-criminal sentencing enhancement even though he had no trained interpreter available during the prior criminal proceedings on which the enhancement was based. Heraclio Duran-Gonzalez had two prior federal convictions for conspiring to possess marijuana with intent to distribute … More June 2, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Oldham) (oral argument), criminal, sentencing, guilty plea Dismissing appeal of supervised release conditions in sentence, on basis that appeal was barred by appeal-waiver in plea agreement. Jamie Hackney pleaded guilty to production and transportation of child pornography. Per his plea agreement, he waived his right to appeal his … More May 26, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Oldham) (oral argument), immigration, Administrative Procedures Act, timeliness Affirming dismissal of claims arising from denial of issuance of passport to plaintiff on basis of failure to prove citizenship. Hector Cortez claims he was born in Laredo, Texas. About a decade ago, he used his U.S. passport to travel … More May 18, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Engelhardt, J. (Jones, Engelhardt, Summerhays, by designation) (oral argument), Jones, J., dissenting; international child custody, Hague Convention Affirming order to return children to custodial parent in Canada; vacating preliminary injunction enjoining Texas courts from conducting further proceedings and ordering Canadian courts to adjudicate custody. Sarah Moreau and Andrew White married and lived … More May 15, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Ho, J. (Clement, Graves, Ho) (oral argument), Fourth Amendment, qualified immunity Reversing denial of summary judgment to defendants in excessive force claims. Amanda Carter’s minor daughter attended Live Oak High School. In February 2022, a Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services agent visited the Carters’ home to investigate a report of … More April 20, 2026, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (King, Haynes, Ho) (oral argument), immigration Denying Egyptian citizen’s petition for review of BIA order affirming the immigration judge’s denial of motion to reconsider the denial of his motion to reopen removal proceedings. Moselhy, a native and citizen of Egypt, raised due process claims and argued the agency violated regulations governing … More April 9, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Wiener, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), Willett, J., concurring (joined by Wilson, J.); criminal, Second Amendment, Commerce Clause Affirming conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon Jaterron Williamson was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). He had three prior … More March 23, 2026, opinions
