Designated for publication Oldham, J. (Jones, Southwick, Oldham), First Amendment On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, remanding to the district court for further fact-findings: “In Moody v. NetChoice, LLC, 144 S. Ct. 2383 (2024), the Supreme Court emphasized that facial challenges to state laws are difficult to successfully mount. In the First Amendment context, … More November 7, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Richman, C.J. (Richman, Ho, Engelhardt), Ho, J., dissenting in part; immigration Granting Cameroonian citizen’s petition for review of BIA order dismissing appeal of IJ’s denial of applications for asylum and withholding of removal (denying petition for review of denial of protection under the Convention Against Torture), vacating BIA’s opinion, and remanding for … More August 16-21, 2024, opinions
Another quick-blurb catch-up post (the briefing and arguing has been non-stop since mid-July–Take the Fifth may need to take on some more staff!). Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Barksdale, Southwick, Graves), criminal, Sixth Amendment, sentencing Affirming conviction and sentence on fraud under the Paycheck Protection Program, upholding denial of motion to substitute counsel and district … More August 1-15, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Higginbotham, Higginson, Duncan), qualified immunity, municipal liability, Fourth Amendment, § 1983 Dismissing appeal in part for want of appellate jurisdiction over appeals of denial of summary judgment on punitive damages claim, the summary judgment to police officer on Fourth Amendment search claim, and the summary judgment to the City and … More July 30-31, 2024, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Jolly, Higginson, Duncan), criminal, sufficiency of evidence, sentencing Affirming 460-month sentence and conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; conspiracy to transport aliens; conspiracy to … More June 11, 2024, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Stewart, Dennis, Wilson), securities fraud, receivership, mootness Dismissing as moot appeal from order ratifying a settlement agreement executed by court-appointed receiver, due to subsequent events in the litigation. per curiam (Wiener, Stewart, Douglas), criminal Affirming conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. per curiam (Jolly, Engelhardt, Douglas), criminal, sentencing … More March 13, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Richman, Higginbotham, Elrod), unfair trade practices, improper argument Reversing judgment on jury verdict in favor of defendant in unfair trade practices claim, and remanding for further proceedings, on the basis that “the Defendants’ counsels’ closing argument irreparably prejudiced the fairness of the trial.” The Court held that “legitimate ‘oratory’ and … More March 8, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Smith, Southwick, Higginson), removal, jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction Affirming dismissal of two non-diverse defendants as improperly joined and denial of remand, and affirming dismissal of out-of-state defendants for lack of personal jurisdiction, in action arising from injuries suffered during crash of single-engine airplane piloted by the plaintiff. The crash occurred in … More February 23, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Graves, J. (Graves, Higginson, Ho), habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel Reversing denial of § 2255 petition that asserted ineffective assistance of counsel on basis of trial attorney’s failure to consult with defendant regarding filing of appeal, and remanding for further proceedings. The Court held that it was unreasonable for his trial … More January 24-25, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Wilson, J. (Stewart, Dennis, Wilson), insurance, personal jurisdiction Affirming dismissal of insurance coverage dispute on the basis of lack of specific personal jurisdiction. The plaintiff insured sought coverage for costs it incurred in responding to a non-party subpoena from multi-district litigation in South Carolina involving aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs); plaintiff was a … More January 18, 2024, opinions
