Verdict . News

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit: No Hotel Privacy Rights Five Hours After Checkout

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a defendant had no reasonable expectation of privacy in a hotel room searched five hours after checkout time. The precedential decision in United States v. Ryan Mendoza affirms a district court's denial of a motion to suppress evidence.

•Third Circuit ruled hotel guests have no reasonable privacy expectation five hours after checkout

•Court affirmed district court's denial of motion to suppress evidence from post-checkout room search

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Felon Firearm Conviction Despite Second Amendment Challenge

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Daniel Earl Logan for illegal firearm possession by a convicted felon, rejecting his constitutional challenge based on the Supreme Court's Bruen decision. The court issued an unpublished per curiam opinion on January 8, 2026.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed felon-in-possession conviction despite Second Amendment challenge

•Logan unsuccessfully argued 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) violates Second Amendment under Bruen standard

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Conviction in Immigration Visa Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Oluwatoyin Aborisade for visa fraud and aggravated identity theft in a 2-1 decision. The case involved fraudulent preparation of immigration visa self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed conviction for visa fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2-1 decision

•Case involved fraudulent VAWA immigration visa self-petitions with 57-month prison sentence

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Expert Testimony Exclusion in RV Fire Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to exclude expert testimony and grant summary judgment for RV manufacturers in a product liability case involving a campfire device that allegedly caused severe burns to plaintiff Erick Jensen.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court's exclusion of expert testimony in product liability case against RV manufacturers

•Plaintiff suffered severe burns from allegedly defective Camco Little Red Campfire device sold by Camping World

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Hyundai-Kia Settlement Over Vehicle Theft Defects

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's approval of a class action settlement between consumers and Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation over allegations that certain vehicles were defectively designed and vulnerable to theft. The court rejected an appeal by objector Donald K. Birner in a memorandum opinion filed Jan. 8, 2026.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court approval of class action settlement over alleged vehicle theft vulnerabilities

•Objector Donald K. Birner's appeal was rejected by three-judge panel in memorandum opinion

•Fifth Circuit withdrew 2025 opinion and granted panel rehearing in prison-related case

5th Circuit Withdraws Opinion, Affirms in Berryman Prison Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted rehearing in *Berryman v. Huffman*, withdrew its 2025 opinion, and issued a brief substituted ruling that affirmed the lower court's decision. Circuit Judge Dana Douglas dissented, highlighting concerns about a 1,233-day delay before trial.

•Court issued brief substituted opinion affirming lower court without detailed explanation

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 262-month sentence for career offender convicted of firearm possession

5th Circuit Affirms 262-Month Sentence for Career Offender

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 262-month prison sentence for Quintell Dewayne Gladney, who was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and sentenced as a career offender under federal guidelines.

•Defendant challenged district court's reliance on presentence report to characterize prior Louisiana drug convictions

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Origin Bancorp against Salt and Light Energy Equipment

5th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Origin Bank in Vendor Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Origin Bancorp in a case where Salt and Light Energy Equipment alleged the bank interfered with customer relationships. The energy equipment company had sued its lender for allegedly causing a customer to terminate their vendor relationship.

•Energy company unsuccessfully claimed bank interfered with customer relationships

Jan 8, 2026•2 min read

•Fifth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation against Texas farmer Derick Miller

Fifth Circuit Affirms Crop Insurance Denial Against Texas Farmer

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation against Texas farmer Derick Miller. The case involves a disputed federal crop insurance claim for Miller's 2021 cotton and peanut crops in Gaines County, Texas.

•Case involved denied crop insurance claim for 2021 cotton and peanut crops in Gaines County, Texas