Verdict . News

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit found district court erroneously applied career offender enhancement but affirmed sentence as harmless error

4th Circuit Affirms Sentence Despite Career Offender Error in Cox Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Roy Cox's criminal sentence despite finding the district court erroneously applied a career offender enhancement, ruling the error was harmless because the judge indicated he would have imposed the same sentence regardless.

•Trial judge's explicit statement that same sentence would be imposed regardless proved crucial to appeals court decision

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Coalition of 13 environmental groups and 6 major cities sued Trump administration

Environmental Coalition Sues Trump Administration in Fourth Circuit

A coalition of 13 environmental organizations and six major cities filed an appeal in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging Trump administration environmental policies. The case targets President Trump and top officials including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and OMB Director Russell Vought.

•Case targets President Trump, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and other top officials

•Fourth Circuit affirmed denial of habeas petition claiming ineffective assistance of counsel

4th Circuit Affirms Denial of Habeas Petition in Richardson Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of a habeas corpus petition filed by Raymond Andrew Richardson, who claimed ineffective assistance of counsel in his first-degree robbery conviction. The court rejected Richardson's argument that his trial counsel failed to object to a variance between the indictment and prosecution's trial theory.

•Richardson argued his lawyer failed to object to variance between indictment and trial theory

•Fourth Circuit unanimously reversed district court ruling favoring Under Armour in insurance coverage dispute

4th Circuit Reverses District Court in Under Armour Insurance Dispute

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling in a major insurance coverage dispute involving Under Armour and nine insurance companies. The January 20, 2026 decision represents a significant victory for the insurance consortium in the ongoing coverage battle.

•Nine major insurance companies successfully appealed the lower court decision

•Fourth Circuit consolidates two appeals (No. 24-1799 and 24-1827) challenging Maryland gun control laws

Fourth Circuit Reviews Maryland Gun Control Laws in Consolidated Cases

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws, with multiple gun rights organizations and individuals seeking to overturn state firearms regulations enforced by Governor Wes Moore and other officials.

•Multiple gun rights organizations and individuals sue Governor Wes Moore and other state officials

•Fourth Circuit reviewing consolidated cases challenging Maryland gun control laws

Fourth Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Laws

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is reviewing consolidated cases challenging Maryland's gun control laws, with gun rights organizations and individual plaintiffs arguing against Governor Wes Moore and state officials. Major gun control advocacy groups and 16 states have filed amicus briefs supporting Maryland's position.

•Gun rights groups including Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association oppose Governor Wes Moore and state officials

•Two consolidated cases challenge Maryland's gun control laws on Second Amendment grounds in the Fourth Circuit

4th Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Firearms Laws

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws on Second Amendment grounds. Gun rights advocates, including the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, are appealing lower court rulings that upheld the state's firearms restrictions.

•Gun rights groups including Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association are appealing lower court decisions

•Fourth Circuit hears consolidated appeals challenging Maryland gun control laws

4th Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Firearms Laws

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws. Gun rights organizations and individuals are contesting state firearms regulations, with Governor Wes Moore and other Maryland officials as defendants.

•Two cases feature multiple gun rights organizations and individual plaintiffs

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously denied the petition for review in an unpublished opinion

4th Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal in Cruz De Saenz Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Karla Rubenia Cruz De Saenz challenging a Board of Immigration Appeals decision. The January 16, 2026 ruling drew support from seven major immigration advocacy organizations.

•Seven prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the petitioner