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
Designated for publication per curiam (Higginbotham, Duncan, Engelhardt), Rule 60, recusal Affirming denial of Rule 60 motion filed for reconsideration of judgment dismissing claims arising from arrest and incarceration, which motion was filed after the clerk of court notified the parties years after the judgment that the presiding judge had owned stock in one of … More December 8, 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
Designated for publication per curiam (Clement, Duncan, Wilson), prisoner suit, First Amendment Affirming summary judgment dismissal of Texas state prisoner’s § 1983 claims that confiscation of religious materials violated his First Amendment rights. The Court held that TDJC policies regarding storage of personal property and the confiscation of any personal property not stored properly according … More October 4-5, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Jolly, Smith, Engelhardt), Jolly, J., dissenting in part; First Amendment Reversing summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs challenging Texas Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack’s opening of court with a ceremony that includes a prayer, and rendering judgment in favor of Mack. The Court held this was “a zero-pence case,” … More September 29, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Elrod, J. (Stewart, Clement, Elrod), subpoenas, sovereign immunity Reversing partial denial of motions to quash subpoenas duces tecum that had been served on county district judges to determine their role in creating and enforcing Harris County’s bail schedule, which was the subject of plaintiffs’ constitutional challenge to the county’s felony-bail system. The … More September 16-19, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Hignell-Stark v. City of New Orleans, 21-30643, appeal from E.D. La. Smith, J. (Smith, Wiener, Southwick), § 1983, takings, Commerce Clause, First Amendment Affirming in part and vacating in part summary judgment dismissing two of three constitutional challenges by owners of short-term rentals (STRs) against the City of New Orleans in relation … More August 22, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication NexPoint Advisors, L.P. v. Highland Capital Management, L.P., 21-10449, appeal from N.D. Tex. Duncan, J. (Wiener, Graves, Duncan), bankruptcy Affirming in large part confirmation order in investment firm’s bankruptcy; but reversing that portion of the liquidation plan that exculpated certain non-debtors in violation of 11 U.S.C. § 524(e). The Court first held … More August 19, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Securities and Exchange Commission v. Novinger, 21-10985, appeal from N.D. Tex. Stewart, J. (Jones, Stewart, Duncan); Jones, J., concurring (joined by Duncan, J.); Rule 60(b); First Amendment Affirming denial of Rule 60(b) motion filed five years after consent judgment, where defendant challenged the “no-deny” provision of its settlement of an SEC civil … More July 12, 2022, opinions
(Still in catch-up mode here, so the opinions designated for publication will get the same brief treatment as the unpublished opinions …) Designated for publication U.S. v. Hamilton, 20-20645, appeal from S.D. Tex. Higginson, J. (Higginson, Willett, Ho), criminal, sentencing, sufficiency of evidence Affirming conviction of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, in violation of 18 … More June 13-15, 2022, opinions
