Correspondent
Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of a prison psychologist against an inmate's Eighth Amendment claims. The appellate panel found the inmate's allegations of sexual harassment were unsupported by the record or did not constitute constitutional violations.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied a petition challenging Department of Veterans Affairs regulations governing the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The court held that the petitioners had standing but found their challenges to the new eligibility rules and reassessment procedures failed on the merits.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of claims brought by a lawyer and a mother against prosecutors and police officers following their state convictions for custodial interference, which were later overturned on appeal.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of attorneys' fees in a civil rights case. The appellant failed to demonstrate that the lower court abused its discretion in calculating the fees.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an employment discrimination complaint filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court held that the plaintiff failed to state a plausible claim that the employer regarded him as disabled or retaliated against him.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion to vacate his sentence and his request for compassionate release. The court held that trial counsel was not ineffective and that the district court properly denied relief based on statutory factors.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a pro se civil rights action. The appellate court held that the lower court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the case for failure to comply with an order to file an amended complaint.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in a civil rights case involving an excessive force claim. The appellate panel reviewed evidentiary rulings and the denial of counsel appointment, finding no abuse of discretion.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a conviction for possession of methamphetamine, ruling that the district court did not clearly err in finding reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop. The court further held that a drug dog sniff did not unlawfully prolong the stop because the K-9 unit arrived before the officer completed his investigation.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's order upholding the denial of disability benefits. The panel found substantial evidence supported the administrative law judge's rejection of the plaintiff's medical opinions and testimony.
