Tag: qualified immunity

June 2, 2026, opinions

June 3, 2026

Designated for publication Elrod, C.J. (Elrod, Willett, Wilson) (oral argument), criminal, sentencing, Sixth Amendment Affirming application of career-criminal sentencing enhancement even though he had no trained interpreter available during the prior criminal proceedings on which the enhancement was based. Heraclio Duran-Gonzalez had two prior federal convictions for conspiring to possess marijuana with intent to distribute … More June 2, 2026, opinions

May 19, 2026, opinions

May 20, 2026

Unpublished decisions per curiam (Stewart, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), habeas corpus Dismissing as frivolous appeal from dismissal of § 2244 petition challenging convictions for receipt and possession of child pornography, and whether his actual-innocence claim satisfied the savings clause of 28 U.S.C. § 2255(e). Relying on Jones v. Hendrix, 599 U.S. 465 (2023), the … More May 19, 2026, opinions

May 15, 2026, opinions

May 18, 2026

Designated for publication Engelhardt, J. (Jones, Engelhardt, Summerhays, by designation) (oral argument), Jones, J., dissenting; international child custody, Hague Convention Affirming order to return children to custodial parent in Canada; vacating preliminary injunction enjoining Texas courts from conducting further proceedings and ordering Canadian courts to adjudicate custody. Sarah Moreau and Andrew White married and lived … More May 15, 2026, opinions

May, 8, 11, 12, 2026 opinions

May 13, 2026

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

May 4, 2026, opinions

May 5, 2026

Unpublished decisions per curiam (Richman, Southwick, Willett) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal.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

April 20, 2026, opinions

April 21, 2026

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

March 27, 2026, opinions

March 28, 2026

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

March 23, 2026, opinions

March 24, 2026

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

March 10-11, 2026, opinions

March 16, 2026

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

March 9, 2026, opinions

March 12, 2026

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