Take the Fifth: Oct. 21, 2020 opinions

Only unpublished decisions to report from yesterday’s releases (with one “revised” published opinion released for U.S. v. Becerra, originally released on October 6). Cannon v. Southern University Board of Supervisors, 19-30803, appeal from M.D. La. per curiam (Haynes, Willett, Ho), due process Affirming district court’s summary judgment dismissing law student’s due process claim against defendant’s … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 21, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 14, 2020 opinions

To create a little efficiency for the writers of this blog, Take the Fifth will take a different tack beginning today. We will continue to include full summaries of those opinions designated for publication, but for unpublished opinions will only continue to provide links to the opinions and basic statistical information regarding basic outcome, district … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 14, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 12, 2020 opinions

Martinez v. Pompeo, 19-41041, appeal from S.D. Tex., designated for publication per curiam (King, Graves, Oldham), immigration, Administrative Procedures Act Affirming dismissal of suit by plaintiffs for issuance of U.S. passport to father, who claimed to be a U.S. citizen, and for issuance of immigrant visas to his wife and step-daughter. Father had conflicting birth … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 12, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 7, 2020 opinions

U.S. v. Omigie, 19-40526, appeal from E.D. Tex., designated for publication Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Higginson), criminal, sentencing, guilty plea, forfeiture, supervised release Affirming conviction, remanding for determination of whether supervised release condition is consistent with oral pronouncement of court. Court held there was no plain error in the district court’s informing the defendant of … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 7, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 6, 2020 opinions

U.S. v. Peterson, 19-11143, appeal from N.D. Tex., designated for publication Higginson, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Higginson), criminal, attempted enticement of a minor, sentencing Affirming conviction and sentence of defendant for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The Court rejected defendant’s challenge to the sufficiency f the … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 6, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 5, 2020 opinions

Empower Texans, Inc. v. Geren, 19-50557, appeal from W.D. Tex., designated for publication Southwick, J. (Elrod, Southwick, Haynes), mootness Vacating District Court’s dismissal of suit on grounds of legislative immunity, holding the suit to be moot, and remanding with instructions to dismiss as moot. Plaintiffs had filed suit against the Chairman of the Committee on … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 5, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 2, 2020 opinions

Basic Capital Management, Inc. v. Dynex Capital, Inc., et al., 19-11272, appeal from N.D. Tex., designated for publication King, J. (King, Stewart, Southwick), commercial, fraudulent transfer, alter ego, limitations, res judicata Affirming 12(b)(6) dismissal on time-bar and res judicata grounds of plaintiffs’ complaint asserting claims fraudulent transfer and alter ego. Plaintiffs had gained a $55 … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 2, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Oct. 1, 2020 opinions

U.S. v. Crittenden, 18-50635, unpublished per curiam (Dennis, Elrod, Costa), criminal, sufficiency of evidence District Court had granted new trial to defendant convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines. Fifth Circuit panel withdrew its prior majority and dissenting opinions; and remanded to the District Court to clarify whether it had held that there was … More Take the Fifth: Oct. 1, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Sept. 30, 2020 opinions

Texas Alliance for Retired Americans v. Hughs, 20-40643, Designated for Publication per curiam (Clement, Elrod, Haynes), elections law Staying district court’s preliminary injunction of enforcement of Texas House Bill 25, which would eliminate straight-ticket voting. HB25’s straight-ticket voting ban became effective September 1, 2020; District Court enjoined HB25 on September 25; early voting in Texas … More Take the Fifth: Sept. 30, 2020 opinions