Designated for publication Playa Vista Conroe, a Condominium Association v. Insurance Co. of the West, 20-20307, appeal from S.D. Tex. Oldham, J. (Higginbotham, Costa, Oldham), insurance Affirming summary judgment holding insurer liable for coverage of Hurricane Harvey damage to boat slips suffered by condo association when the Lake Conroe Dam was opened by the San … More Take the Fifth: March 5, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Clark, 19-10186, appeal from N.D. Tex. Costa, J. (Higginbotham, Costa, Oldham), criminal, garnishment Affirming district court’s garnishment order on defendant’s brokerage account and IRA account funds, as not being “income” necessary to comply with child support orders. After examining the distinction between “income” and “assets,” the Court held that “the … More Take the Fifth: March 4, 2021 opinions
Texas Association of Manufacturers v. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 17-60836, on petition for review of an order of the CPSC Owen, C.J. (Owen, Southwick, Higginson), administrative law, standing, Administrative Procedures Act Holding that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) procedurally erred in promulgating a final rule limiting the concentration of 5 phthalates in children’s … More Take the Fifth: March 1, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Kim, 18-51024, appeal from W.D. Tex. Dennis, J. (Dennis, Southwick, Ho), criminal, sentencing, restitution Vacating restitution order and remanding for redetermination, but dismissing appeal regarding application of sentencing enhancement as barred by the guilty-plea appeal waiver. Defendant pled guilty to one count of criminal copyright infringement; the district court sentenced … More Take the Fifth: Feb. 19, 2021 opinions
Unpublished U.S. v. Higgins, 19-10885, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Higginbotham, Jones, Costa), criminal, sentencing, supervised release Affirming special conditions as part of supervised release sentence the district court’s order to participate in treatment for substance dependency, to contribute to the cost of that treatment, and to abstain from the use of alcohol and … More Take the Fifth: Feb. 4, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Munoz-Rivera v. Wilkinson, 19-60376, petition for review of BIA order per curiam (Owen, Graves, Ho), immigration Dismissing petition for review of cancellation of removal order upon determining that “the use of an unauthorized social security number constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) such that petitioner is ineligible for cancellation of his … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 27, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Parkerson, 19-10780, appeal from N.D. Tex. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Southwick, Wilson), criminal, sentencing Affirming 120-month statutory maximum prison term for failure to register as a sex offender where sentencing guidelines range was 18-24 months. The presentencing report (“PSR”) referred to an excerpt from a police report of an incident where … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 12 and 13, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Taylor v. Stevens, 17-10253, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Owen, Jones, Smith), qualified immunity, § 1983, Eighth Amendment On remand from the Supreme Court, vacating its earlier decision reversing in part and remanding dismissal of Eighth Amendment conditions-of-confinement claims on qualified immunity grounds, and remanding case in its entirety. Texas v. … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 21-24 opinions
Designated for publication Pizza Inn, Inc. v. Clairday, 19-11302, appeal from N.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Smith, Clement, Oldham), breach of contract, equitable intervention doctrine Reversing district court’s upholding of jury verdict in favor of franchisee, applying equitable intervention doctrine and awarding damages and attorneys’ fees to franchisee for pizza franchise’s refusal to renew contract when … More Take the Fifth: Nov. 2-6, 2020 opinions
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