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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Hears Third Appeal in Houston Charter Challenge Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing *Pool v. City of Houston* for the third time, a constitutional challenge to Houston's home rule charter provisions requiring petition circulators to be city residents and registered voters.

•This marks the third time Pool v. City of Houston has been appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals since 2019

•The case challenges Houston charter provisions requiring petition circulators to be city residents and registered voters

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds Conviction for Threatening U.S. Senator

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Isaac Ambe Nformangum for leaving a threatening voicemail message at a U.S. Senator's office. Nformangum was convicted under federal law prohibiting interstate transmission of threats following a bench trial.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) for interstate threat transmission

•Defendant left threatening voicemail at U.S. Senator's office

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Paramount Victory in 'Top Gun: Maverick' Copyright Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling favoring Paramount Pictures in a copyright lawsuit over 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The heirs of journalist Ehud Yonay claimed the 2022 sequel infringed their copyright in his 1983 magazine article that inspired the original film.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Paramount Pictures in copyright dispute over 'Top Gun: Maverick'

•Court found sequel did not share substantial amounts of original expression from 1983 'Top Guns' magazine article

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Gun Conviction After Mental Health Commitment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed James Gould's federal firearms conviction, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge to laws prohibiting gun possession by those previously committed to mental institutions. The published decision concluded a case that began when police found Gould with a shotgun in his West Virginia home.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed James Gould's conviction for illegal gun possession after mental health commitment

•Court rejected Second Amendment challenge to federal law prohibiting firearm possession by those involuntarily committed

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

4th Circuit Affirms WARN Act Victory Against Mining Companies

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed a jury verdict finding five West Virginia coal mining companies liable under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act for failing to provide proper notice before terminating employees. The January 2, 2026 decision upholds workers' rights protections in a class action lawsuit led by Jules Gautier.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed jury verdict against five coal mining companies for WARN Act violations

•Companies failed to provide required 60-day notice before terminating employees in West Virginia

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews Missouri Sex Offender Halloween Sign Law After District Court Ban

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court ruling that permanently enjoined enforcement of a Missouri law requiring registered sex offenders to post Halloween signs. Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged the statute on First Amendment grounds.

•Federal district court ruled Missouri's Halloween sign law for sex offenders violates First Amendment

•Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged requirement to post "No candy or treats" signs

State Court

•Nebraska Supreme Court ruled appellate courts cannot disturb sentences within statutory limits absent abuse of discretion

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Reaffirms Trial Judge Discretion in Sentencing

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Thursday in *State v. Rejai* that appellate courts cannot disturb criminal sentences within statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion by trial judges. The decision reinforces established standards for reviewing allegedly excessive sentences on appeal.

•Court defined abuse of discretion as decisions based on untenable reasoning or actions clearly against justice

State Court

•Court establishes that statutory use of 'may' creates presumption of discretionary rather than mandatory action

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Sentencing Discretion Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Jackson on January 2, 2026, establishing important precedent regarding trial court discretion in probationary matters and sentencing appeals. The decision clarifies when statutory language creates discretionary versus mandatory authority and sets standards for identifying abuse of discretion.

•Trial courts retain broad discretion over probationary matters with limited appellate review

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Upholds Summary Judgment in Hospital Assault Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority in a negligent supervision case. Patient Tamatha Hennessey had alleged that a hospital employee sexually assaulted her during a radiologic procedure, but the appeals court found insufficient evidence to establish whether the assault was foreseeable to the hospital.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for University of Kansas Hospital Authority in negligent supervision case

•Patient alleged sexual assault by hospital employee during radiologic procedure