Sarah Elizabeth Martin Pitlyk
How Judge Pitlyk rules, drawn from 12 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Pitlyk decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Treats Second Amendment challenges to the felon-in-possession statute (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)) as foreclosed in the Eighth Circuit; both facial and as-applied attacks fail under controlling precedent. Do not expect a § 922(g)(1) motion to dismiss to succeed here.
“As conceded by defense counsel and explained by Judge Cohen, Defendant’s argument is foreclosed by the Eighth Circuit’s holding in United States v. Jackson, 110 F.4th 1120 (8th Cir. 2024)”
Procedural preferences
In a case removed on diversity, scrutinizes any post-removal amendment that would add a nondiverse defendant, applying the Bailey/§1447(e) factors; will deny joinder of a non-indispensable party rather than destroy jurisdiction.
“in a case previously removed on the basis of diversity, the Court must scrutinize a plaintiff’s proposed amendment that joins a new, nondiverse defendant.”
Enforces the PLRA three-strikes bar strictly: the imminent-danger exception turns on danger existing at the moment of filing, with specific facts and a nexus to the claims — past danger will not reopen IFP.
“the imminent danger of serious physical injury ‘must exist at the time the complaint or the appeal is filed, not when the alleged wrongdoing occurred.’”
Cautions
A motion for reconsideration is narrow — to correct manifest error or present newly discovered evidence — not a chance to reargue the merits. Repeating an argument is itself a ground to deny.
“A motion for reconsideration ‘is not a vehicle for simple reargument on the merits.’”
A recusal request must identify facts that would cause an informed, reasonable observer to question impartiality; a litigant's objection to the president who appointed the judge is insufficient.
“Plaintiff’s argument that I am biased or prejudiced against him because I was appointed by President Trump is an insufficient basis for disqualification.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Indictment, Doc. [61], is DENIED.”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Custodial Statements (Doc. [70]) is DENIED.”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to Sever Counts I, IV, V, VI, and VII from Counts II and III (Doc. [71]) is DENIED.”
“the Court denies Plaintiff’s Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and will deny as moot Plaintiff’s Motion of Involuntary Dismissal.”
“Before the Court are Plaintiff’s motions for leave to file an amended complaint. Docs. [23], [25]. For the reasons set forth below, the Court denies the motions.”
“the Court denies Power’s motion for summary judgment, grants in part and denies in part Cardinals’ motion for summary judgment, and denies the joint motions for leave to file under seal.”
“For the reasons set forth below, the Court grants the motion in part and denies it in part.”
“the Court denies the Motion for Reconsideration and grants the Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.”
“For the reasons set forth below, the Motion to Compel, the Motion for Leave to File Sur-Reply, and the Motion to Strike are denied.”
“This matter is before the Court on Defendant Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc’s (‘Toyota’) Motion to Dismiss. Doc. [17]. The motion is fully briefed. For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be granted in part and denied in part.”
“On review of the application and financial information provided therein, the Court grants Plaintiff’s motion and waives the filing fee in this matter.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Recusal, Doc. [7], is DENIED.”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs, Doc. [3], is DENIED without prejudice.”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel, Doc. [2], is DENIED without prejudice.”
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