Carlos E. Mendoza
How Judge Mendoza decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In insurance-coverage declaratory-judgment cases he resolves cross-motions for summary judgment, granting the motion supported by the record and denying the other.
“Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 38) is GRANTED.”
Procedural preferences
He refers matters to a magistrate judge and, on review, adopts the report and recommendation, including orders compelling arbitration and striking class allegations.
“The Report and Recommendation (Doc. 61) is ADOPTED and CONFIRMED and made a part of this Order. 2. Defendants' Motion to Compel and Strike Class Action Allegations (Doc. 23) is GRANTED.”
In federal habeas review, Mendoza enforces procedural default when a state prisoner used the wrong state vehicle or failed to obtain a merits ruling, unless the petitioner establishes cause and prejudice or actual innocence.
“When a state prisoner attempts to raise a claim in an improper manner, and state procedural rules preclude the state courts from hearing the merits of the claim, then the federal habeas court is also precluded from hearing its merits, absent a showing of ‘cause and prejudice.’”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 5) is GRANTED. 2. Plaintiff's Complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice.”
“The Report and Recommendation (Doc. 61) is ADOPTED and CONFIRMED and made a part of this Order. 2. Defendants' Motion to Compel and Strike Class Action Allegations (Doc. 23) is GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 72) is GRANTED in part. 2. The Clerk is directed to enter a declaratory Judgment in favor of Plaintiff, providing that Plaintiff has no duty to defend Millennium regarding the claim brought by RHR under the personal injury provisions of the CGL policies.”
“Defendants' Motion for Partial Judgment on the Pleadings (Doc. 38) is DENIED as moot.”
“Plaintiff's Motion to Remand (Doc. 7) is DENIED.”
“Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 38) is GRANTED.”
“Defendant's Response and Cross Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 39) is DENIED.”
“THIS CAUSE is before the Court on Plaintiffs' Dispositive Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 163), Defendant Kevin Guice's Response (Doc. 168), and Plaintiffs' Reply (Doc. 175). As set forth below, the motion will be granted.”
“Plaintiffs' Motion to Strike will be denied and Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment will be granted.”
“the Town's Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendant Canela's Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendant Haman's Motion for Summary Judgment, and Defendant Ivey's Motion for Summary Judgment will be granted.”
“The United States' Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 157) is GRANTED. 2. Petitioner Sukaina Kermali's Asset Petition (Doc. 125) is DENIED.”
“The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 1) is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The 2021-2022 Orlando sample includes employment-discrimination, disability-access, product-liability, criminal, prisoner, and habeas matters. Both sampled civil cases ended by settlement or stipulation and were dismissed with prejudice under the court's local settlement rule without a contested dispositive ruling. The mix is descriptive rather than a complete measure of Mendoza's caseload.
Put Judge Mendoza's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Mendoza actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Mendoza's own signed orders and cites them.