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
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Richman, Southwick, Willett) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Higginbotham, Engelhardt, Ramirez) (no oral argument), criminal, sentencing Affirming imposition of mental health treatment condition in supervised release term as part of sentence, when there was no professional diagnosis—only the defendant’s self-reported anxiety and … More May 4, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Ho, J. (Clement, Graves, Ho) (oral argument), Fourth Amendment, qualified immunity Reversing denial of summary judgment to defendants in excessive force claims. Amanda Carter’s minor daughter attended Live Oak High School. In February 2022, a Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services agent visited the Carters’ home to investigate a report of … More April 20, 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
Designated for publication per curiam (Wiener, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), Willett, J., concurring (joined by Wilson, J.); criminal, Second Amendment, Commerce Clause Affirming conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon Jaterron Williamson was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). He had three prior … More March 23, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Haynes, Oldham) (no oral argument), Haynes, J., “simply joins in the denial” without separate concurring opinion; class action, mandamus, Fair Labor Standards Act Denying writ of mandamus from district court’s certification of collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Fifth Circuit denied the employer’s petition for a … More March 10-11, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Engelhardt, J. (Higginson, Willett, Engelhardt) (oral argument), Willett, J., concurring in part; class action, employment, Americans with Disabilities Act Affirming district court’s rejection of two proposed classes and certification of one modified subclass of United Airlines employees who sought religious accommodations from COVID-19 vaccine mandate and who were accommodated with unpaid leave. … More March 9, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Smith, Richman; Dennis on argument panel, but decision decided on a quorum due to Judge Dennis taking inactive status) (oral argument); qualified immunity Reversing denial of qualified immunity defense to officer defendant on plaintiff’s § 1983 Fourth Amendment search claim, and rendering judgment of dismissal. In this 42 U.S.C. § … More February 23, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (en banc; Elrod, Stewart, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Willett, Douglas, Ramirez, voting against en banc rehearing; Jones, Smith, Richman, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, voting for en banc rehearing) (oral argument at panel stage), Ho, J., dissenting from denial of en banc rehearing (joined by Jones, Smith); en banc, qualified … More February 20, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Elrod, C.J. (Elrod, Smith, Wilson) (oral argument withdrawn), artificial intelligence, sanctions After unpublished per curiam opinion entered January 6, 2026, vacating sanctions order against plaintiff on Fair Credit Reporting Act claim, the Court of Appeals issued an order for the plaintiff’s counsel to show cause why the Court of Appeals should not … More February 18-19, 2026, opinions
