Verdict . News

•Pro se plaintiff Melissa Betterson lost her civil rights appeal against Town of Cutler Bay and law enforcement officials

Eleventh Circuit Dismisses Civil Rights Suit Against Cutler Bay

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal by Melissa Antoinette Betterson in her civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Cutler Bay and law enforcement officials. Betterson, representing herself, alleged false arrest and denial of medical treatment in violation of her constitutional rights.

•Lawsuit alleged false arrest and denial of medical treatment violating Fourth and Eighth Amendment rights

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of discriminatory termination claims but revived hostile work environment claim

11th Circuit Reviews Racial Hostile Work Environment Standards

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a case that could reshape how workplace discrimination claims are evaluated, deciding whether evidence of general discrimination against racial minorities can support an individual employee's hostile work environment claim.

•Court found substantial evidence to support racial hostile work environment allegations despite insufficient evidence for termination claims

•Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in wrongful death case involving veteran Jonathan Pears

11th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity to Officer in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the 2021 shooting of Jonathan Pears, a veteran with PTSD. The February 5, 2026 ruling allows the civil rights case to proceed against the officer.

•Court found officer's use of force was excessive and violated clearly established constitutional law

1w ago•5 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed conviction under federal felon-in-possession statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

11th Circuit Upholds Felon Firearm Conviction Against Constitutional Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction of Travion Cortez Vanhorn for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon under federal law. Vanhorn had challenged the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) both facially and as applied to his case, but the appellate court rejected his arguments.

•Defendant challenged the law's constitutionality both facially and as applied to his specific case

•Keith Pharms received a 192-month federal sentence for shooting at a federal officer during a car theft operation

11th Circuit Upholds 16-Year Sentence for Shooting at Federal Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 192-month prison sentence for Keith Pharms, who was convicted on five criminal charges related to shooting at a federal officer following a car theft. Pharms unsuccessfully challenged his sentence on constitutional grounds.

•The 11th Circuit rejected his Fifth and Sixth Amendment constitutional challenges on appeal

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed federal sentence against Joseph Acevedo for cocaine distribution and firearm charges

Eleventh Circuit Affirms Cocaine Distribution Sentence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a federal criminal sentence against Joseph Acevedo, who was convicted on cocaine distribution and firearm charges after police discovered drugs, cash, and a weapon during a traffic stop in Florida.

•Case began with traffic stop that revealed cocaine, $12,540 in cash, and loaded pistol

2w ago•4 min read

•Eddy Salinas received 240-month sentence for distributing 40+ grams of fentanyl and conspiracy charges

11th Circuit Upholds 20-Year Fentanyl Sentence for Career Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 240-month prison sentence for Eddy Alexander Salinas, who was convicted of distributing large quantities of fentanyl in Southern Florida. The court rejected Salinas's challenge that his sentence was procedurally unreasonable.

•Appeals court rejected claim that sentence was procedurally unreasonable

2w ago•4 min read

•11th Circuit affirmed 240-month sentence for distributing child pornography

11th Circuit Upholds 20-Year Sentence for Child Pornography Distribution

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 240-month prison sentence for William Ervin Daniels, who was convicted of distributing child pornography. The court rejected his challenges to the district court's sentencing procedures and the maximum statutory penalty.

•Defendant challenged polygraph evidence and sentencing enhancements unsuccessfully

2w ago•4 min read

•11th Circuit affirmed 48-month supervised release revocation sentence for John Alexander

11th Circuit Affirms 48-Month Sentence Despite Fair Sentencing Act Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit rejected John Alexander's appeal of his 48-month sentence following supervised release revocation. Alexander argued his sentence was illegal because the district court failed to consider that his underlying drug offense had been reclassified under the Fair Sentencing Act.

•Alexander argued Fair Sentencing Act reclassification of his drug offense should reduce sentence