Case Explained: Ramona Rachael Craig v. Hutto ISD; Eric Johnson; Toby Meredith Bermudez

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-07

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of a preliminary injunction and dismissed the remainder of the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. The court reviewed the denial of the preliminary injunction under an abuse of discretion standard, applying the four-factor test requiring the plaintiff to demonstrate: (1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, (2) a substantial threat of irreparable injury, (3) that the threatened injury outweighs the harm to the defendant, and (4) that the injunction would not disserve the public interest. The court agreed with the district court’s determination that the pro se appellant failed to satisfy these elements, specifically noting that her complaint did not comprehensively detail her allegations and causes of action, thereby preventing a finding of a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. Regarding the other issues, the court held it lacked jurisdiction over the order denying the appointment of counsel and dismissed claims raised outside the notice of appeal or not ruled upon by the district court. Consequently, the denial of injunctive relief stands, and all other aspects of the appeal are terminated without further review.

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