Monthly Archives: September 2022

Fifth Circuit Tosses Injunction Against State Under National Voter Registration Act for Plaintiffs’ Lack of Injury of Fact for Title III Standing

In Campaign Legal Center v. Scott, No. 22-50692 (5th Cir. Sept. 29, 2022), the Fifth Circuit holds that a group of voting-rights organizations suing the State of Texas for information under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (“NVRA”) lacked Article III standing to bring their claim. The plaintiff organizations sued Texas under the NVRA’sContinue reading “Fifth Circuit Tosses Injunction Against State Under National Voter Registration Act for Plaintiffs’ Lack of Injury of Fact for Title III Standing”

Sixth Circuit Holds District Court Lacked Power to Order a Forensic Examination of a Juror’s Personal Electronics to Investigate Alleged Misconduct in a Criminal Case

In In re Sittenfeld, No. 22-3694 (6th Cir. Sept. 23, 2022), the Sixth Circuit denies a mandamus petition and thus leaves undisturbed the denial of an order sought by a criminal defendant to compel the forensic examination of a juror’s cellphone, computer, or “any electronic device that [the juror] used to make electronic communications.” “InContinue reading “Sixth Circuit Holds District Court Lacked Power to Order a Forensic Examination of a Juror’s Personal Electronics to Investigate Alleged Misconduct in a Criminal Case”

Fifth Circuit Panel Issues Scheduling Order with Concurrence Imploring Transferee District Court in New Jersey to Return a Case to Texas

In Defense Distributed v. Platkin, No. 22-50669 (5th Cir. Sept. 16, 2022), two concurring judges in a per curiam scheduling order issue an unusual plea to a district court judge in another circuit to return a case to Texas as an “act of inter-district comity, mutual respect, and courtesy.” The case involves a company thatContinue reading “Fifth Circuit Panel Issues Scheduling Order with Concurrence Imploring Transferee District Court in New Jersey to Return a Case to Texas”

District Court Order Denying Dismissal of an Action Based on the “Church Autonomy Doctrine” Not Subject to Appellate Review Under Collateral Order Doctrine, Holds Second Circuit

In Belya v. Kapral, No.21-1498 (2d Cir. Sept. 16, 2022), the Second Circuit holds that it has no appellate jurisdiction over interlocutory orders allowing a defamation action to go forward despite the invocation of the “church autonomy doctrine.” Plaintiff “Belya sued defendants-appellants — individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (‘ROCOR’Continue reading “District Court Order Denying Dismissal of an Action Based on the “Church Autonomy Doctrine” Not Subject to Appellate Review Under Collateral Order Doctrine, Holds Second Circuit”

Fed. R. App. P. 43 Places Duty on Appellant to Identify Party to Substitute for Deceased Appellee, Holds Third Circuit

In Aldossari v. Ripp, No. 21-2080 (3d Cir. Sept. 13, 2022), the Third Circuit – addressing a split in the circuits – holds that it must dismiss an appeal brought against a deceased appellee under Fed. R. App. P. 43 where the appellant has failed to identify a substitute party. The case concerned a failedContinue reading “Fed. R. App. P. 43 Places Duty on Appellant to Identify Party to Substitute for Deceased Appellee, Holds Third Circuit”

Eleventh Circuit Holds That District Court Erred in Excluding Evidence of Colombian Prosecution Documents in Torture Victim Protection Act Case

In Does 1 Through 976 v. Chiquita Brands Int’l, Inc., No. 19-13926 (11th Cir. Sept. 6, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit substantially reverses summary judgment in a dozen bellwether cases against Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and a host of other defendants brought under the Torture Victim Protection Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1350 note, and Colombian law. InContinue reading “Eleventh Circuit Holds That District Court Erred in Excluding Evidence of Colombian Prosecution Documents in Torture Victim Protection Act Case”