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

1,080 decisions
Apr 28 2026
4th Cir. 25-6882 Per Curiam

JOEVAUGHN LEON MEREDITH v. MINDY HERVEY LIPINKSI, Head Public Defender; STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights action because the appellant failed to challenge the district court's reasoning in his informal brief. Additionally, the court held that the appellant's objections to the magistrate judge's recommendation were not sufficiently specific to preserve the issues for appeal.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 28 2026
4th Cir. 25-1729 Panel Decision

JAMES BROWN, III v. LEON LOTT, et al.

The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for law enforcement officers, holding that a traffic stop and arrest warrant were supported by probable cause under the totality of the circumstances. The court found sufficient evidence of witness intimidation to justify the seizure, rejecting the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Summary Judgment
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 2:20-cv-01058-RAH-SMD Per Curiam

Terry v. Robinett

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Stacy Terry's motions to vacate a prior judgment, ruling that she failed to prove the underlying decision was void. The court held that Terry's arguments regarding counsel conflicts and misidentified defendants were meritless and had already been rejected on direct appeal.

Civil Insurance
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Apr 28 2026
4th Cir. 24-2073 2-1

RICHARD P. HARROLD Plaintiff – v. LEWIS J. HAGEN

The Fourth Circuit vacated the district court's grant of qualified immunity, holding that a non-threatening, unarmed, and passively resisting suspect possesses a clearly established Fourth Amendment right to be free from unnecessary K-9 deployment. The court concluded that Officer Hagen's use of force was disproportionate under existing precedent, requiring the case to proceed to trial rather than being dismissed at this procedural stage.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cv-24123-CMA Per Curiam

William S. Scott v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of William Scott's lawsuit challenging the IRS's denial of a whistleblower award, holding that such decisions are committed to agency discretion by law. The court also rejected Scott's claim that the district judge should have recused herself, finding no evidence of personal bias.

Civil Other Civil
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Apr 28 2026
9th Cir. 20-71287 Unpublished

RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ ZARAGOZA V. TODD BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit dismissed a petition for review of a BIA denial of cancellation of removal, holding it lacked jurisdiction over discretionary hardship determinations and factual findings. The court further rejected a claim regarding a defective Notice to Appear because the petitioner failed to exhaust the argument before the agency.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 28 2026
10th Cir. 4:24-CV-00431-SEH-SH) Panel Decision

Reeves v. Seibert, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Wade Reeves' pro se complaint against state officials for failing to meet the pleading standards of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(2). The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in closing the case without granting leave to amend because the complaint lacked a short, plain statement of the claim and the proposed amendments would have been futile.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 28 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-08073-KML-MTM Unpublished

DREW V. COUNTY OF YAVAPAI, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a First Amendment retaliation claim against Sheriff Captain Tom Boelts, finding his internal communications did not chill a person of ordinary firmness. However, the court reversed the dismissal against Lieutenant John Johnson, holding that the plaintiff adequately alleged the initiation of criminal proceedings without probable cause.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 28 2026
6th Cir. 25-1833 Published

Banks v. Charter Township of Bloomfield

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a takings and civil rights lawsuit brought by homeowners alleging government-induced flooding. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to state a plausible claim because they relied on conclusory allegations and could not prove a government physical invasion or regulatory taking.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 28 2026
9th Cir. 1:23-cv-00389- Published

PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL FOUNDATION, INC. V. NAGO

The Ninth Circuit held that the National Voter Registration Act does not grant the public a right to access raw statewide voter registration lists. Although the court affirmed that the plaintiff had standing and that the claim was ripe, it ruled that the statute only mandates disclosure of records concerning the implementation of list maintenance programs, not the lists themselves.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting FOIA
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