Designated for publication Clement, J. (Clement, Southwick, Engelhardt) (no oral argument), qualified immunity, appellate jurisdiction Vacating judgment denying dismissal and failing to mention qualified immunity defense, and remanding for further proceedings. Plaintiffs Patricia Anna Wertenbroch and Kulwant Singh Atwal sued Clint Hardeman, the City Manager of Pittsburg, Texas, under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging he … More June 3, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Wilson, J. (King, Higginson, Wilson) (oral argument), criminal, sentencing Affirming 60-month sentence on conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. James Troy Phillips led police on a high-speed car chase reaching over 135 miles per hour to evade a traffic stop because he had a large quantity … More May 27-28, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Oldham) (oral argument), immigration, Administrative Procedures Act, timeliness Affirming dismissal of claims arising from denial of issuance of passport to plaintiff on basis of failure to prove citizenship. Hector Cortez claims he was born in Laredo, Texas. About a decade ago, he used his U.S. passport to travel … More May 18, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Jones, J. (Jones, Duncan, Douglas) (no oral argument), Americans with Disabilities Act Affirming dismissal of ADA claims. Albert Hayes worked as an IT systems administrator for Army contractor GStek at Fort Polk. After COVID-era telework ended and he was required to return to the office, Hayes was diagnosed with Autism, Major Depressive … More May, 8, 11, 12, 2026 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Wilson, 24-10633, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Jones, Smith, Graves, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, voting for en banc rehearing; Elrod, Stewart, Richman, Southwick, Haynes, Higginson, Willett, Wilson, Douglas, Ramirez, voting against en banc rehearing) (oral argument at panel stage); Willett, J., issuing opinion “respecting the denial” (joined by Elrod, … More April 30, 2026, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Wiener, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Smith, Graves, Wilson) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Clement, Richman, Willett) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam … More April 27, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Clement, J. (Clement, Douglas, Ramirez) (oral argument), sec. 1983, Fourth Amendment Affirming summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff’s sec. 1983 claim alleging Fourth Amendment violations arising from search of residence. Officers with the Lafayette Police Department obtained a warrant to search Albert Alexander’s residence for firearms based on reports from Alexander’s granddaughter, Sharlette, … More April 13, 2026, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (King, Haynes, Ho) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Davis, Jones, Ho) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Jones, Richman, Ramirez) (no oral argument), prisoner suit, Bivens claim Dismissing as frivolous appeal from dismissal of … More April 3, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Southwick, Duncan, Engelhardt) (oral argument), mootness, criminal, Crime Victims’ Rights Act, mandamus Denying writs of mandamus sought by families of victims of Boeing air crash that challenged a Deferred Prosecution Agreement and a subsequent non-prosecution agreement between the Department of Justice and Boeing. Following two Boeing 737 MAX crashes — … More March 31, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Haynes, Higginson) (oral argument), Appointments Clause, administrative law Affirming summary judgment for plaintiffs challenging Gulf of Mexico fishery management plan. Commercial Greater Amberjack fishers challenged Amendment 54 to the Gulf of Mexico fishery management plan, which slashed commercial catch limits by roughly 80%. They argued that members of the … More March 27, 2026, opinions
