Narrative Opinion Summary
Maryellen Thoms appeals a district court order that granted a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for federal prisoner Damaun Dowdy. The appeal was paused pending resolutions in the Supreme Court case Lopez v. Davis and the Sixth Circuit case Powell v. Thoms. Both cases have since been decided, with Powell concluding that the petitioner had been released from custody, rendering the case moot. Similarly, Damaun Dowdy's release from custody also renders his appeal moot. In such circumstances, the appropriate action is to vacate the district court's judgment and remand the case with instructions to dismiss the petition as moot. Consequently, the district court's judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded for dismissal.
Legal Issues Addressed
Mootness Doctrine in Habeas Corpus Appealssubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: When a petitioner is released from custody, the appeal becomes moot, leading to vacatur of the judgment and dismissal of the petition.
Reasoning: Similarly, Damaun Dowdy's release from custody also renders his appeal moot.
Procedure for Moot Cases in Federal Appealssubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: In circumstances where a case is rendered moot, the proper procedure is to vacate the lower court's judgment and remand with instructions to dismiss the petition.
Reasoning: In such circumstances, the appropriate action is to vacate the district court's judgment and remand the case with instructions to dismiss the petition as moot.