Verdict . News

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

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

6th Circuit Upholds 37-Year Sentence for Armed Robbery Convictions

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 446-month prison sentence for David Johnson, who was convicted on nine federal counts including armed robbery and firearm violations. The January 2026 decision upholds convictions stemming from multiple robberies affecting interstate commerce in Ohio.

•David Johnson received 446-month federal prison sentence for armed robbery and firearm violations

•Sixth Circuit affirmed convictions on nine counts including robbery affecting commerce and firearm charges

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction in Controlled Buy Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a drug trafficking conviction against Orlando Bernard Easter, rejecting his challenge to search warrants obtained through controlled drug purchases with a confidential informant. The searches of Easter's storage unit and his girlfriend's home uncovered significant quantities of drugs and firearms.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed drug trafficking conviction based on controlled buy investigation

•Court rejected challenge to search warrants for storage unit and residence

•Ninth Circuit certified legal questions to Nevada Supreme Court regarding police use-of-force liability

9th Circuit Certifies Police Shooting Questions to Nevada Supreme Court

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has certified two legal questions to the Nevada Supreme Court in a civil rights lawsuit involving the fatal police shooting of Keith Childress Jr. The case centers on whether negligence claims can be raised against officers who intentionally used force based on mistaken beliefs about a suspect carrying a firearm.

•Case involves fatal shooting where officers mistakenly believed suspect carried firearm

•Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of constitutional challenge to FHFA funding mechanism

9th Circuit Upholds FHFA Funding Against Constitutional Challenge

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of a lawsuit by multiple investment trusts challenging the Federal Housing Finance Agency's funding mechanism. The trusts, represented by trustee Eddie Haddad, argued the FHFA's funding structure under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act violates constitutional principles.

•Investment trusts sought to prevent foreclosure by attacking agency's constitutional authority

•Jury found six works including tattoo and sketch were not substantially similar to copyrighted photograph

9th Circuit Affirms Kat Von D Victory in Miles Davis Photo Copyright Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of celebrity tattoo artist Katherine Von Drachenberg (Kat Von D) in a copyright infringement dispute. Photographer Jeffrey Sedlik sued over alleged copying of his Miles Davis photograph in tattoos and social media posts.

•Four social media 'Process Images' were deemed fair use despite substantial similarity

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for Las Vegas police officers in fatal shooting of Keith Childress

9th Circuit Upholds Police Immunity in Fatal Vegas Shooting Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers in a deadly force case involving Keith Childress, whom officers mistakenly believed was armed. The court upheld qualified immunity protections for the officers despite the fatal encounter.

•Officers mistakenly believed Childress was armed when they opened fire in two volleys

•Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissals of Commerce Clause challenges to cannabis residency requirements

9th Circuit: Commerce Clause Doesn't Apply to Cannabis Licensing

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed lower court rulings rejecting constitutional challenges to residency requirements for cannabis dispensary licenses in Washington state and Sacramento. The court held that the Dormant Commerce Clause does not protect interstate commerce in federally illegal marijuana markets.

•Court ruled Dormant Commerce Clause doesn't apply to federally illegal marijuana commerce

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•Ninth Circuit granted Attorney General Bondi's petition for panel rehearing in immigration credibility case

9th Circuit Orders New Credibility Review for Asylum Seekers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted Attorney General Pamela Bondi's petition for panel rehearing in *Kaur v. Bondi*, finding that adverse credibility determinations against asylum seekers lacked substantial evidence. The court ordered immigration authorities to conduct a new credibility review on an open record.

•Court found adverse credibility determinations against asylum seekers lacked substantial evidence support