Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of pro se plaintiff's Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against Kansas officials

Tenth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit Against Kansas

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro se plaintiff Earnest Eugene Walker, Jr. against Kansas state officials and defense attorneys. Walker alleged constitutional violations under Section 1983 over what he claimed was an illegal sentence.

•Walker alleged constitutional violations related to an "illegal sentence" but court found claims insufficient

2w ago•4 min read

•Gerson Armando Romero Salazar was convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A) for being an undocumented immigrant in possession of a firearm

10th Circuit Hears Second Amendment Challenge to Gun Law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an order and judgment in United States v. Salazar, addressing a constitutional challenge to the federal law prohibiting undocumented immigrants from possessing firearms. Defendant Gerson Armando Romero Salazar appealed his conviction after unsuccessfully arguing the statute violates the Second Amendment.

•The defendant challenged the federal statute as facially unconstitutional under the Second Amendment

•Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of inmate Michael Balance's civil rights lawsuit against Johnson County, Kansas officials

10th Circuit Dismisses Inmate's Civil Rights Lawsuit on Limitations

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of civil rights claims filed by pro se inmate Michael Balance against Johnson County, Kansas officials. The appellate court upheld the district court's ruling that the lawsuit was filed beyond the applicable statute of limitations.

•District court dismissed the case on statute of limitations grounds, finding claims were filed too late

•Tenth Circuit vacated Joel Ruiz's 30-year federal sentence for sexual abuse of a minor under 12

Tenth Circuit Vacates Child Sex Abuse Conviction in Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacated Joel Ruiz's conviction for sexual abuse of a minor and remanded the case to the district court. The appeals court found the government failed to establish a key element required for federal jurisdiction in the criminal case.

•Court found government failed to establish defendant's non-Indian status required for federal jurisdiction

•Colorado prisoner Justin Rueb appeals dismissal of two federal civil rights lawsuits against multiple attorneys to Tenth Circuit

Colorado Prisoner Appeals Federal Civil Rights Claims Against Attorneys

Justin Rueb, a Colorado prisoner representing himself, has appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals after two federal civil rights lawsuits against multiple attorneys were dismissed by a district court. The consolidated appeals challenge dismissals in cases alleging misconduct by lawyers involved in Rueb's prior state criminal and malpractice proceedings.

•Claims filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against lawyers involved in Rueb's prior state criminal case and malpractice litigation

•Tenth Circuit issues published opinion in immigration case naming new Attorney General Pamela Bondi as respondent

Tenth Circuit Reviews Immigration Case Against Attorney General Bondi

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has issued a published opinion in *Bonilla-Espinoza v. Bondi*, marking one of the first federal immigration cases to name newly confirmed Attorney General Pamela Bondi as respondent. The case involves a petition for review from the Board of Immigration Appeals.

•Case involves El Salvadoran citizen challenging denial of asylum and withholding of removal

•Duncan pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of children and received a 30-year sentence

10th Circuit Enforces Appeal Waiver in Federal Sex Trafficking Case

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals is addressing a government motion to enforce an appeal waiver in the case of Jackie Antonio Duncan, who received a 30-year sentence for child sex trafficking. Duncan pleaded guilty but now seeks to appeal despite waiving that right in his plea agreement.

•Government moved to enforce appeal waiver from Duncan's plea agreement

•Tenth Circuit affirmed denial of mitigating role adjustment for defendant in Indian country assault case

10th Circuit Denies Role Reduction in Indian Country Assault Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a mitigating role adjustment for Jasmine Rae Valdez, who pled guilty to federal assault charges in Indian country. The appeals court upheld the lower court's sentencing decision without oral argument.

•Valdez pled guilty to assault with dangerous weapon and assault causing serious bodily injury under federal law

•Tenth Circuit reviewed objections to class action settlement between royalty owners and EnerVest energy funds

Tenth Circuit Rejects Objections to Energy Royalty Class Settlement

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled on objections to a class action settlement between Chieftain Royalty Company and multiple EnerVest energy funds. Two royalty owners appealed the district court's approval of the settlement affecting mineral rights owners across Oklahoma.

•Two class members appealed district court's approval of settlement in 13-year-old royalty payment dispute