Eleventh Circuit: Gregory Grimes v. Warden 11th Circuit Filed Not For Publication

• A document was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on September 9, 2026, in the case of Gregory Grimes v. Warden, Calhoun State Prison.
• The case, identified as No. 26-11950, has been placed on the court's "Non-Argument Calendar."
• The filed document is explicitly marked "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," indicating limited precedential value for any future ruling.
• The Eleventh Circuit is a federal appellate court with jurisdiction over Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
• Cases against a "Warden" typically involve challenges to the legality of an individual's detention, such as habeas corpus petitions.

The "NOT FOR PUBLICATION" status assigned to this document and, by extension, the case's eventual outcome, is a common practice in federal appellate courts.

A specific document, identified as 13-1, was officially lodged with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on September 9, 2026. This filing pertains to the case designated as No. 26-11950, involving appellant Gregory Grimes against the Warden of Calhoun State Prison. The document itself is noted as the first of two pages within the court's records.

Notably, this appellate filing carries two significant procedural designations. It is explicitly marked "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," indicating that any resulting opinion or order will not be formally printed in standard legal reporters. Furthermore, the case has been assigned to the court's "Non-Argument Calendar," signaling that its resolution will proceed without the need for oral arguments from the parties involved.

The "NOT FOR PUBLICATION" status assigned to this document and, by extension, the case's eventual outcome, is a common practice in federal appellate courts. This designation means that the court's decision will not establish binding precedent for future cases, except in very limited circumstances. Its purpose is to manage the vast volume of appellate filings by distinguishing between cases that resolve routine legal applications or factual disputes and those that introduce new legal principles or clarify existing law. Decisions marked as such are primarily binding only on the parties directly involved in the litigation.

The placement of case No. 26-11950 on the Eleventh Circuit's "Non-Argument Calendar" also reflects a procedural efficiency measure. This track is reserved for appeals where the court determines that the legal issues are sufficiently clear from the written briefs and the existing record, rendering oral arguments unnecessary. While it streamlines the appellate process, it also means that the parties will not have the opportunity to present their arguments verbally before the panel of judges, relying entirely on their submitted documentation for consideration.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit holds appellate authority over federal district courts located in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. As a federal circuit court, its primary function is to review decisions from lower federal courts within its jurisdiction, ensuring the correct application of federal law and procedure. The presence of Gregory Grimes's case on its docket signifies an appeal originating from a federal court within one of these three states, challenging a prior legal determination.

The case title, "Gregory Grimes v. Warden, Calhoun State Prison," strongly suggests the nature of the underlying legal challenge. Such actions typically involve a petition for habeas corpus, where an individual in custody contests the legality of their detention. Calhoun State Prison would be the correctional facility where Mr. Grimes is incarcerated, making its Warden the appropriate respondent in a federal challenge to his custody, seeking relief from what is alleged to be unlawful imprisonment.

For Gregory Grimes, the appellant, these procedural designations mean that the Eleventh Circuit's ruling, once issued, will be specific to his situation. The "not for publication" status ensures that the court's decision will not contribute to the broader body of legal precedent, meaning it will not serve as a guiding authority for other cases, even those with similar facts or legal questions. This approach underscores the court's focus on resolving the individual dispute without setting a widely applicable legal standard.

The decision to proceed without oral arguments further indicates the court's assessment that the written submissions provide a complete and adequate basis for judgment. While efficient for the court, it means the legal teams will not engage in direct dialogue with the appellate panel. The filing of document 13-1 on September 9, 2026, represents a concrete step in this appellate journey, moving the case closer to a final determination by the federal appeals court regarding the challenge to Mr. Grimes's incarceration.

Source: Reporting based on an Eleventh Circuit court filing.