James Earl Graves Jr.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit circuit Appointed by Barack Obama (Democratic) 41 signed orders read

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Dolgencorp, Inc. v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
12-60668 · 2013-10-04
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“Because we agree that Dolgencorp's consensual relationship with Doe gives rise to tribal court jurisdiction over Doe's claims under Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544, 564-66 (1981), we AFFIRM the district court's judgment.”

Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. v. Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs
12-11211 (cons. w/ 13-10306) · 2014-03-24
Appeal (appellant) Granted

“We now adopt the burden-shifting approach found in 24 C.F.R. 100.500 for claims of disparate impact under the FHA. ... For the reasons we have stated, we REVERSE and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Orlando Gutierrez v. Loretta Lynch
15-60158 · 2016-07-18
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“GRAVES, Circuit Judge, dissenting. Because I would grant the petition for review, I respectfully dissent.”

William G. Navarre v. AIG Property Casualty Company
24-30639 · 2025-07-10
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“Because we agree that Navarre lacked standing, we AFFIRM the district court's judgment.”

Bobby Stevenson v. Paul M. Toce; Randy Lavespere
23-30486 · 2024-08-22
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“The physicians moved to dismiss the suit, invoking the defense of qualified immunity. The district court found Stevenson's allegations sufficient to overcome the defense. We AFFIRM.”

United States v. Christopher G. Waguespack
18-30813 · 2019-08-15
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“A jury convicted Christopher G. Waguespack of knowingly distributing and possessing child pornography... He now challenges his conviction and sentence on six grounds. We AFFIRM.”

United States v. Jeffrey Louis Freeman
17-51022 · 2019-01-25
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“The Appellant-Government appeals the district court's ruling as to the second stop only. For the reasons discussed below, we affirm.”

United States v. Adrian Alvarado
11-40771 · 2012-08-15
Appeal (appellant) Granted in part

“Although the defendant's sentence falls within the appropriate range of the ... Guidelines ... he contends that his sentence was both procedurally and substantively unreasonable. We AFFIRM in part, and we VACATE and REMAND in part.”

United States v. Luis Fernando Juarez
09-20764 · 2012-02-24
Appeal (appellant) Granted

“Juarez's counsel failed to independently research and investigate the derivative citizenship defense... For the following reasons, we REVERSE and REMAND.”

Jesus Natividad Santos-Sanchez v. Eric H. Holder, Jr.
08-60469 · 2014-03-07
Petition for review (petitioner) Denied

“We conclude that Santos's conviction documents are sufficient to establish that his conduct renders him removable ... and deny the petition for review.”

United States v. Gabriel Andres
11-40783 · 2013-01-03
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“Andres contends that the district court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence and in applying a two-point sentencing enhancement ... we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

United States v. Steve Cuellar Zuniga
14-11304 · 2017-06-14
Appeal (appellant) Granted in part

“we AFFIRM the district court's denial of Zuniga's suppression motion, but we VACATE Zuniga's sentence, and REMAND for resentencing.”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

Circuit judges do not carry a federal trial caseload; not enumerated. Graves's prior judicial service was on the Hinds County circuit court and the Mississippi Supreme Court (state courts) before his 2011 elevation.

Put Judge Graves's record to work

Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Graves actually rules, not a generic AI guess.

Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Graves's own signed orders and cites them.