Supreme Court Rules on Mandatory Victims Restitution Act

The Supreme Court ruled that restitution under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act (MVRA) constitutes criminal punishment for Ex Post Facto Clause purposes. The Court reversed the Eighth Circuit's decision, holding that the MVRA's restitution provisions are criminal sanctions, not civil remedies.

Supreme Court Rules on Habeas Corpus for Attempted Murder Conviction

The Supreme Court granted summary relief in Klein v. Martin, reversing the Fourth Circuit's decision to award a new trial. The Court found the Fourth Circuit departed from the strict standards governing federal habeas relief under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA).

Supreme Court January 2026 Order List

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its January 20, 2026 order list, including grants, denials, and miscellaneous orders. Notably, the Court granted certiorari in Tennessee v. Kennedy, vacating the judgment and remanding with instructions to dismiss the case as moot.

Supreme Court Order List - Certiorari Grants and Denials

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its order list for January 26, 2026, detailing grants and denials of certiorari, as well as miscellaneous orders in pending cases. This list includes vacating and remanding one case for further consideration and denying a motion for leave to file a petition for a writ of certiorari with an indigency declaration under seal.

Cusick v. DOJ - Affirmation of District Court Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision dismissing a lawsuit challenging federal firearm prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and § 922(g)(4). The court found the challenge to § 922(g)(1) foreclosed by precedent, and other claims were dismissed based on the initial ruling.

Supreme Court Denies Certiorari

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Charles Thompson v. Texas. The Court also denied an application for a stay of execution of a death sentence. This action signifies the conclusion of the Supreme Court's review of this specific case.

Pendarvis v. Wilson - Constitutional Rights Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded the case of Pendarvis v. Wilson. The court found that the plaintiff's operative complaint failed to adequately plead Article III standing, impacting a hemp farmer's lawsuit against over 30 South Carolina government officials.

Supreme Court - Application for Writ of Injunction Denied

The Supreme Court denied an application for a writ of injunction pending appeal in the case of Tangipa, David, et al. v. Newsom, Gov. of CA, et al. The order was issued by the Court on February 4, 2026.

Heath v. Florida - Certiorari Denied

The U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for a writ of certiorari in Heath v. Florida. Justice Thomas referred the application for a stay of execution of sentence of death to the Court, which was also denied. This action concludes the federal review of the case.

Medicaid Fraud Charges Filed Against Two Individuals

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado and the Colorado Attorney General's Office have filed charges against Ashley Marie Stevens and Wesam Yassin for defrauding Colorado Medicaid's non-emergent medical transportation program. The alleged fraud totals over $4.3 million, with charges including wire fraud, health care fraud, and money laundering.