January 9, 2023, opinions

Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Southwick, Douglas), criminal, restitution Affirming the denial of a motion for adjustment of a restitution order, holding that an inmate’s $1400 stimulus payment under the American Rescue Plan Act was not exempt from being applied toward a restitution order. Unpublished per curiam (King, Stewart, Haynes), criminal, guilty plea Affirming … More January 9, 2023, opinions

January 3-6, 2023, opinions

Catching up from traveling, so summaries of published opinions will not include the usual detail. Designated for publication Elrod, J. (joined by Richman, Jones, Smith, Stewart, Southwick, Haynes, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, JJ.); Haynes, J. (joined by Richman, C.J.), concurring in judgment only; Ho, J. (joined by Richman, Southwick, JJ.), concurring in part … More January 3-6, 2023, opinions

December 28-30, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), appellate jurisdiction Dismissing appeal from denial of motion to quash grand jury subpoenas and compelling compliance with a grand jury subpoena. The Court held that “[t]here is no jurisdiction for appeals challenging a grand jury subpoena for production of documents unless (1) the appellant has been held … More December 28-30, 2022, opinions

December 21-22, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Graves, J. (Graves, Willett, Engelhardt), insurance Affirming declaratory judgment in favor of insurance company that it did not owe coverage or defense to its insured for damages incurred by insured’s employees. Southwick, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), excessive force, municipal liability Reversing 12(b)(6) dismissal of excessive force claims against officer who punched plaintiff … More December 21-22, 2022, opinions

December 16, 2022, opinions

Unpublished per curiam (Smith, Barksdale, Haynes), criminal, sentencing, Armed Career Criminal Act Affirming 180-month sentence on conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, applying ACCA enhancement based on four prior Texas convictions for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. per curiam (Smith, Barksdale, Haynes), criminal, restitution Affirming restitution award for losses stemming … More December 16, 2022, opinions

December 15, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Ho, J. (Richman, Ho, Engelhardt), Richman, C.J., concurring; immigration Denying Salvadoran citizen’s petition for review of BIA order affirming IJ’s denial of motion to reopen proceedings for removal in absentia. The Court held that the IJ did not err in finding that the failure to provide the petitioner with a Notice to … More December 15, 2022, opinions

December 12, 2022, opinions

Unpublished per curiam (Higginbotham, Graves, Ho), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Clement, Southwick, Engelhardt), jurisdiction, sanctions Affirming dismissal of suit for lack of federal question or diversity jurisdiction, but vacating sanction of pre-filing injunction as to future suits and remanding for considering less stringent sanctions or a sanction warning. … More December 12, 2022, opinions

December 9, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, search and seizure, sentencing Affirming conviction and 16-month sentence for smuggling bulk cash, and upholding denial of motion to suppress evidence obtained from a border search while defendant attempted enter Mexico from the United States. After being pulled over at the border, officers noticed the defendant … More December 9, 2022, opinions

December 1-2, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication per curiam (Soutwick, Oldham, Wilson), immigration Denying petition for rehearing of August 3 decision, and substituting new opinion denying Salvadoran citizen’s petition for review of BIA order dismissing appeal of IJ decision denying motion to reopen; the Court held that the petitioner’s receipt of a Notice of Hearing after an allegedly defective … More December 1-2, 2022, opinions

November 28, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Haynes, J. (Smith, Barksdale, Haynes), immigration Denying in part and dismissing in part Venezuelan citizen’s petition for review of BIA order denying application for withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The Court held that the petitioner’s conviction on one count of falsely seeking a tax refund of less … More November 28, 2022, opinions