Reaffirming the “Sever-and-Remand” Doctrine for Defective Appeal Waivers and Sentencing Errors – Comment on United States v. Shoun Wright, Jr. Introduction The Fourth Circuit’s unpublished decision...
“The Central-Thesis Explanation” Standard after United States v. Terriwanna Carmichael 1. Introduction The Fourth Circuit’s unpublished decision in United States v. Terriwanna Carmichael, No. 24-4337...
The “Strickland Doctrine” Clarifying Due-Process, Equal-Protection, and Sealing Standards for Federal Judiciary Employees 1. Introduction In Caryn Strickland v. Nancy Moritz, the Court of Appeals for...
The “Pass-Through Speech” Doctrine: Fourth Circuit Invalidates Maryland’s Digital-Advertising Tax Gag Clause Introduction Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. Brooke Lierman is the latest...
Unlicensed Firearms Dealing as “Illicit Trafficking”: Fourth-Circuit Affirms § 922(a)(1)(A) as an Aggravated Felony under INA § 1101(a)(43)(C) Introduction Genovevo Alvarez Ronquillo v. Pamela Bondi...
FRE 601 Trumps: Fourth Circuit Holds that State Expert-Qualification Rules Govern Medical-Malpractice Elements in Federal Court 1. Introduction In Manuel Moreno v. Dr. Carol C. Bosholm, Nos....
Federal Rule of Evidence 601 Mandates Application of State Expert-Competency Rules in Federal Medical-Malpractice Actions: A Commentary on Manuel Moreno v. Carol Bosholm (4th Cir. 2025) 1....
Time-of-Conviction Prevails: Fourth Circuit Clarifies “Controlled Substance Offense” Analysis and Upholds Use of Virginia § 18.2-248 and 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Convictions for Career-Offender Status...
The “Implicit Denial” Doctrine & A Re-affirmed Low Bar for Prison-Excessive-Force Claims – Commentary on Escobar-Salmeron v. Moyer (4th Cir. 2025) Introduction Escobar-Salmeron v. Moyer is a...
Fourth Circuit Clarifies Constructive Exhaustion in FOIA: Post-Lawsuit Partial Productions Neither Moot the Action nor Revive Administrative-Appeal Requirements Introduction Louise Trauma Center LLC...
From “Significant Harm” to “Any Disadvantage”: Fourth-Circuit Adoption of Muldrow’s Adverse-Action Standard in Herkert v. Bisignano 1. Introduction Mary Frances Herkert, a disabled employee of the...
“Removal Is Not Enough” – Fourth Circuit Clarifies Mootness, Jurisdiction, and Standing in Terrorist Watch-List Litigation I. Introduction In Saadiq Long v. Pamela Bondi, No. 24-1369/1403 (4th Cir....
Long v. Bondi: Watchlist-Driven Credential Denials Confer Standing and § 46110 Does Not Bar District-Court Review Once TSA Orders Are Superseded Introduction The Fourth Circuit’s published decision...
The “Intentional-Withdrawal Waiver” Doctrine Fourth Circuit confirms that a party who withdraws proffered evidence cannot challenge its exclusion on appeal (United States v. Bernard K. Breeland, Jr.,...
“Beyond Miller”: The Fourth Circuit Declines to Extend Juvenile-Sentencing Protections to 18-Year-Old Offenders and Clarifies Evidentiary & Joinder Standards in Large-Scale VICAR Prosecutions – A...
No Safe Harbor in Fear: Fourth Circuit Narrows Duress Defence in Gang-Related VICAR Prosecutions 1. Introduction United States v. Elmer Martinez (consolidated appeals Nos. 22-4745, 22-4746, 23-4005,...
United States v. Martinez (4th Cir. 2025): Clarifying the Boundaries of Duress under 18 U.S.C. § 1959, the Admissibility of Gang-Violence Evidence, and the Proper Scope of Knock-and-Talk Searches...
Fourth Circuit Narrows “Gang-Duress” and Confirms Admissibility of Expert Gang Testimony after Crawford A Comprehensive Commentary on United States v. Pablo Velasco Barrera, 92 F.4th ___ (4th Cir....
“No Safe Harbor in Gang Coercion” – The Fourth Circuit’s Definitive Limits on Duress, Evidence, and Sentencing in United States v. Ronald Contreras (2025) 1. Introduction United States v. Ronald...
United States v. Crawford: Clarifying the Obstruction-of-Justice Enhancement and Reaffirming Limits on “Reasonable Doubt” Definitions 1. Introduction United States v. Stephen C. Crawford, No. 24-4243...