Aisha Johnson

Correspondent

Aisha Johnson

Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.

Civil Rights & Constitutional

Decisions covered by Aisha Johnson

1,757 decisions
Mar 23 2026
6th Cir. 25-1321 Published

Grady v. Cratsenburg

The Sixth Circuit reversed the district court's denial of qualified immunity, holding that the plaintiffs failed to satisfy the narrow exception to the probable cause defense under Nieves v. Bartlett. The court reasoned that the officers had probable cause for the arrests and the evidence did not sufficiently show that similarly situated individuals were treated differently based on protected speech.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 23 2026
11th Cir. 4:24-cv-00316-MW-MAF Published

Upside Foods, Inc. v. Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against Florida's ban on lab-grown meat, holding that the state law does not regulate the ingredients, premises, facilities, or operations of federal establishments. Consequently, the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act does not preempt Florida's prohibition on the sale and distribution of cultivated chicken.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Preliminary Injunction
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Mar 23 2026
10th Cir. 26-3016 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ROGER MOSS

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for release pending the resolution of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. The court held that Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 9 governs release in a criminal case but does not apply to release pending post-conviction relief.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 23 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-02305 Published

Woolard v. Thurmond

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a First Amendment challenge brought by parents of students in California charter school independent study programs. The court held that these programs constitute public school education, allowing the state to require secular curricula without violating the Free Exercise or Free Speech Clauses.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 23 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 25-297 Per Curiam

Zorn v. Linton

The Supreme Court reversed the Second Circuit, holding that a police officer was entitled to qualified immunity for using a rear wristlock to remove a passive protester. The Court ruled that existing precedent did not clearly establish that this specific conduct, performed after repeated warnings, violated the Fourth Amendment.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Mar 23 2026
Fed. Cir. 26-1179 Panel Decision

Antonio Letrell Brown v. United States

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Antonio Letrell Brown because the notice of appeal was not received within the mandatory sixty-day deadline. The court found it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case due to the untimely filing.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 23 2026
5th Cir. 24-40704 Per Curiam

Greg Murphy v. Beaumont Independent School District; Shannon Allen

The Fifth Circuit vacated the district court's grant of summary judgment on Greg Murphy's due process claims, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding his entitlement to premium pay under school district policy. The court affirmed summary judgment on Murphy's First Amendment and Fourth Amendment claims, holding that the record supported the district's legitimate reasons for his termination and arrest.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 23 2026
5th Cir. 25-30362 Per Curiam

Molosso v. Board of Supervisors University of Louisiana System

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a university in an ADA disability discrimination case, ruling that a nursing student failed to establish that the school knew of her need for accommodations. The court further held that the district court properly denied the student's motion for additional discovery because she did not diligently pursue the process.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other
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