Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice

4th Circuit Affirms SC Juvenile Justice System in Civil Rights Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in a civil rights lawsuit brought by the NAACP, Disability Rights South Carolina, and Justice 360. The January 29, 2026 decision represents a significant setback for advocates seeking reforms to the state's juvenile justice system.

•Civil rights organizations including NAACP challenged juvenile justice practices on constitutional grounds

3w ago•5 min read

•Fourth Circuit affirmed dismissal of age discrimination lawsuit filed by 60-year-old Jeffrey Turner against Town of Narrows, Virginia

4th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Age Discrimination Suit Against VA Town

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of an age discrimination lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Turner against the Town of Narrows, Virginia. Turner alleged the town discriminated against him based on his age when it hired a candidate in his early twenties for a parks director position instead of him.

•Turner was rejected for Parks and Recreation Director position in favor of candidate in his early twenties

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of employment lawsuit against Montgomery County Public Schools

4th Circuit Affirms Ruling Against Former Montgomery County Employee

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling in favor of Montgomery County Public Schools in an employment dispute with former employee Kimberly Ann Polk. The published decision issued January 28, 2026, upheld dismissal of claims against the school system and board members.

•Case involved former employee Kimberly Ann Polk suing school system and eight board members in individual and official capacities

•Fourth Circuit affirmed 48-month sentence for defendant using multiple aliases in mail fraud scheme

4th Circuit Affirms Mail Fraud Conviction, Rejects Sentencing Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the 48-month prison sentence for Ali Mif Bey, who pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud charges. The court rejected Bey's challenge to using intended loss rather than actual loss in calculating his sentencing guidelines.

•Court rejected challenge to using intended loss rather than actual loss in sentencing guidelines calculation

•Fourth Circuit dismissed part of appeal while affirming Travis Smith's conviction for child exploitation charges

4th Circuit Issues Split Ruling in Child Exploitation Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed part of Travis Smith's appeal while affirming his conviction for coercing a minor into criminal sexual activity. Smith received 151 months in prison following a guilty plea under a written agreement.

•Smith pleaded guilty and received 151 months in prison for coercing a minor into criminal sexual activity

•Fourth Circuit vacated district court's grant of § 2255 relief to Allen Gill in firearm conviction case

4th Circuit Vacates Relief Grant in Allen Gill § 2255 Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated a federal district court's decision granting post-conviction relief to Allen Gill under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The appeals court remanded the case with instructions to reinstate Gill's three federal firearm convictions.

•Appeals court remanded with instructions to reinstate three convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)

•Fourth Circuit dismissed part of Smith's appeal while affirming other portions in mixed ruling

4th Circuit Dismisses Part of Criminal Appeal in Travis Smith Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a mixed ruling in United States v. Travis Smith, dismissing part of the defendant's appeal while affirming other portions. Smith had pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment.

•Smith pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of minor, sentenced to 151 months imprisonment

•Knox pled guilty to conspiracy, carjacking, and firearm charges under federal law

4th Circuit Affirms Knox Conviction in Federal Carjacking Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed in part and affirmed in part the conviction of Michael Joseph Knox in a federal carjacking and conspiracy case. Knox had pled guilty to multiple federal charges including conspiracy and brandishing firearms in furtherance of violent crimes.

•The Fourth Circuit dismissed part of his appeal while affirming the conviction

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Frederick Beaufort's 27-month sentence for felon firearm possession

4th Circuit Affirms Felon Firearm Conviction Post-Bruen

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and 27-month sentence of Frederick Siou Beaufort for illegal firearm possession by a convicted felon. The unpublished per curiam decision rejected Beaufort's constitutional challenge based on the Supreme Court's Second Amendment ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen.

•Court rejected constitutional challenge based on Supreme Court's Bruen decision