4th Circuit Case Commentaries

Affirmation of Maximum Statutory Sentence in Illegal Reentry Case: United States v. Rivera–Santana

Date: Feb 3, 2012

Affirmation of Maximum Statutory Sentence in Illegal Reentry Case: United States v. Rivera–Santana Introduction United States of America v. Agustin Rivera–Santana is a pivotal case adjudicated by the...

Rule 68 Settlements and Mootness in FDCPA Claims: An Analysis of Warren v. Sessoms & Rogers, P.A.

Date: Feb 2, 2012

Rule 68 Settlements and Mootness in FDCPA Claims: An Analysis of Warren v. Sessoms & Rogers, P.A. Introduction In the landmark case of Margaret Gayle Herring Warren v. Sessoms & Rogers, P.A., the...

Reaffirmation of §922(g)(1) and Strict Standards for Attorney Fee Reimbursement: Moore v. United States

Date: Jan 26, 2012

Reaffirmation of §922(g)(1) and Strict Standards for Attorney Fee Reimbursement: Moore v. United States Introduction Moore v. United States, 666 F.3d 313 (4th Cir. 2012), is a significant appellate...

Affirmation of Dismissal in LEBRON v. RUMSFELD: Judicial Restraint in Implied Causes of Action and Military Detention Policies

Date: Jan 24, 2012

Affirmation of Dismissal in LEBRON v. RUMSFELD: Judicial Restraint in Implied Causes of Action and Military Detention Policies Introduction The case of Estela Lebron, for herself and as Mother and...

Limits on Sovereign Immunity Under Title VII: Analysis of Bullock v. Napolitano

Date: Jan 24, 2012

Limits on Sovereign Immunity Under Title VII: Analysis of Bullock v. Napolitano Introduction Bullock v. Napolitano, 666 F.3d 281 (4th Cir. 2012), is a pivotal case that delves into the intersection...

Enhancement of Sentencing Guidelines in Child Exploitation Cases: Strieper v. United States

Date: Jan 24, 2012

Enhancement of Sentencing Guidelines in Child Exploitation Cases: Strieper v. United States Introduction The case of United States of America v. Alan Paul Strieper (666 F.3d 288) addresses critical...

Affirmation of the Deliberate Indifference Standard in Eighth Amendment Prisoner Rights

Date: Jan 21, 2012

Affirmation of the Deliberate Indifference Standard in Eighth Amendment Prisoner Rights Introduction The case of Michael Antwon Williams v. G.J. Branker et al., adjudicated by the United States Court...

Selective Prosecution and Project Exile: Fourth Circuit Upholds Denial in United States v. Venable

Date: Jan 19, 2012

Selective Prosecution and Project Exile: Fourth Circuit Upholds Denial in United States v. Venable Introduction In United States v. James E. Venable, 666 F.3d 893 (4th Cir. 2012), the United States...

Clear Intent Required for Arbitrators to Decide Arbitrability: Peabody Holding Co. v. UMWA

Date: Jan 12, 2012

Clear Intent Required for Arbitrators to Decide Arbitrability: Peabody Holding Co. v. UMWA Introduction The case of Peabody Holding Company, LLC; Black Beauty Coal Company, LLC, Plaintiffs–Appellants...

State Statutory Waivers: Affirmation of Eleventh Amendment Immunity Limits for ADA Claims up to $100,000 in Lee-Thomas v. Prince George's County Public Schools

Date: Jan 12, 2012

State Statutory Waivers: Affirmation of Eleventh Amendment Immunity Limits for ADA Claims up to $100,000 in Lee-Thomas v. Prince George's County Public Schools Introduction Lee-Thomas v. Prince...

United States v. Timms: Fourth Circuit Upholds Constitutionality of §4248 Civil Commitments

Date: Jan 10, 2012

United States v. Timms: Fourth Circuit Upholds Constitutionality of §4248 Civil Commitments Introduction United States of America v. Gerald Wayne Timms is a pivotal case adjudicated by the United...

Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Sexual Dangerousness Commitment: Upholding Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard under 18 U.S.C. § 4248

Date: Jan 10, 2012

Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Sexual Dangerousness Commitment: Upholding Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard under 18 U.S.C. § 4248 Introduction The case of UNITED STATES of America v....

Fourth Circuit Affirms SSA's Denial of SSI Claim: Evaluation of IQ Test Validity and Adaptive Functioning under Listing 12.05C

Date: Jan 6, 2012

Fourth Circuit Affirms SSA's Denial of SSI Claim: Evaluation of IQ Test Validity and Adaptive Functioning under Listing 12.05C Introduction The case of Karen Sue Hancock v. Michael J. Astrue,...

Affirmation of Conviction Under 18 U.S.C. §1028(a)(1) for Producing False Identification Documents

Date: Dec 30, 2011

Affirmation of Conviction Under 18 U.S.C. §1028(a)(1) for Producing False Identification Documents Introduction The case of United States of America v. Richard Earl Jaensch (665 F.3d 83) adjudicated...

Affirmation of Social Security Disability Denial Based on Substantial Evidence Standard

Date: Dec 22, 2011

Affirmation of Social Security Disability Denial Based on Substantial Evidence Standard Introduction The case of Paula Felton-Miller v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security revolves...

Establishing the Boundaries of Conspiracy Evidence: United States v. Hackley, 662 F.3d 671 (4th Cir. 2011)

Date: Dec 21, 2011

Establishing the Boundaries of Conspiracy Evidence: United States v. Hackley, 662 F.3d 671 (4th Cir. 2011) Introduction United States v. James Richard Hackley, IV is a significant case adjudicated by...

Good Faith Exception Affirmed: Analyzing United States v. McKenzie-Gude

Date: Dec 17, 2011

Good Faith Exception Affirmed: Analyzing United States v. McKenzie-Gude Introduction In the case of United States of America v. Collin McKenzie-Gude, decided by the United States Court of Appeals for...

Statutory Standing Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Insights from CGM, LLC v. BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.

Date: Dec 9, 2011

Statutory Standing Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Insights from CGM, LLC v. BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. Introduction Case: CGM, LLC, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. BellSouth...

Affirmation of Securities Fraud Conviction in United States v. Offill: A Comprehensive Analysis

Date: Dec 7, 2011

Affirmation of Securities Fraud Conviction in United States v. Offill: A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction In United States of America v. Phillip Windom Offill, Jr., 666 F.3d 168 (4th Cir. 2011),...

Affirmation of § 922(g)(9): Upholding Firearm Restrictions for Domestic Violence Misdemeanants Under Intermediate Scrutiny

Date: Dec 6, 2011

Affirmation of § 922(g)(9): Upholding Firearm Restrictions for Domestic Violence Misdemeanants Under Intermediate Scrutiny Introduction In United States of America v. Mark A. Staten, 666 F.3d 154...