Browse Fourth Circuit's 2025 caseload. 24 opinions with AI-powered summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
Fourth Circuit Upholds Arrest and Force in Resisting Arrest Case
Anthony Kelly v. City of Alexandria, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 31, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to ...
Consent to Search Phone Valid Despite Initial Refusal
Dyanie Bermeo v. Blake Andis, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 30, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppress evide...
Fourth Circuit: Odor of Marijuana and Plain View Baggie Justify Vehicle Search
Melody Cooper v. Officer James Doyle, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 30, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppre...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Title VII Discrimination Case
Barbara Stokes v. Westerfeld Construction by Glick, LLC, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 29, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of ...
Beach Gear Rental Ban Upheld: First Amendment Not Violated
Cherry Grove Beach Gear, LLC v. City of North Myrtle Beach, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 23, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant ...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Excessive Force Case
Abbie Platt v. Melinda Mansfield, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the...
Fourth Circuit: Consent to Vehicle Search Was Voluntary
Jawone Nicholson v. Damond Durant, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 18, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppress ...
Fourth Circuit: Border search exception allows warrantless search of electronic devices
United States v. Umar Chaudhry, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 16, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of the defendant's motion t...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Officer on Qualified Immunity Grounds
Crystal Hultz v. Frank Bisignano, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 15, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Community College in Discrimination Case
Melanie Hood-Wilson v. Board of Trustees, Community College of Baltimore, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 12, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district ...
Fourth Circuit Upholds Warrantless Vehicle Search Based on Informant Tip
United States v. Mitchell Washington, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 12, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppre...
Fourth Circuit: Lane Drifting Justifies Traffic Stop, Extends Scope
United States v. Tremayne Hawkins, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 11, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Tremayne Hawkins' mot...
Retaliation claim fails: protected activity not a but-for cause of termination
David Gasper v. EIDP, Inc., decided by Fourth Circuit on December 8, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to EIDP, Inc....
Work-for-hire agreement insufficient for copyright transfer of architectural plans
Design Gaps, Inc. v. Distinctive Design & Construction LLC, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 5, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit addressed whether a "work made for hi...
Fourth Circuit Upholds Vehicle Search Based on Probable Cause
United States v. Christopher Arthur, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 3, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of the defendant's moti...
Fourth Circuit: FMSHA claim time-barred due to lack of diligence
Clinchfield Coal Company v. Geraldine Mullins, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary jud...
Fourth Circuit Upholds Vehicle Search Based on Plain View and Probable Cause
Joseph Stanley v. Christopher Bocock, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppres...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Suit Based on Qualified Privilege
Madhusudan Katti v. Warwick Arden, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a defamation lawsui...
Fourth Circuit Upholds Vehicle Search Based on Traffic Violations and Probable Cause
United States v. Jessie Glass, Jr., decided by Fourth Circuit on December 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Jessie Glass Jr.'s mo...
Fourth Circuit Affirms NLRB Finding of Retaliation Against Employees
Constellis, LLC v. NLRB, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit reviewed the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) order finding Const...
Fourth Circuit Upholds NLRB Finding of Unlawful Retaliation Against Employees
NLRB v. Constellis, LLC, decided by Fourth Circuit on December 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) order finding Const...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Claim for Lack of Specificity
Alia Al-Sabah v. World Business Lenders, LLC, decided by Fourth Circuit on November 26, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a defam...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Claim Over Qualified Privilege
Alia Al-Sabah v. World Business Lenders, LLC, decided by Fourth Circuit on November 26, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a defam...
Fourth Circuit Upholds Warrantless Vehicle Search Based on Probable Cause
Christopher Coleman v. Chadwick Dotson, decided by Fourth Circuit on November 21, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to supp...
CaseLawBrief tracks 24 opinions from Fourth Circuit in 2025. This includes published and unpublished decisions.
The most common legal topics were: Fourth Amendment Search And Seizure (9 cases), Plain View Doctrine (4 cases), Probable Cause For Vehicle Search (3 cases), Summary Judgment Standard (3 cases), Automobile Exception To The Warrant Requirement (3 cases).
Outcomes: Defendant Win: 24.