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 13 2026
11th Cir. 3:23-cv-00892-WWB-MCR Per Curiam

KENNETH JAMAL SHERMAN v. SPITZER Individual and Official Capacity as Sergeant, et al N. P. SPITZER Sergeant

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Kenneth Jamal Sherman's appeal sua sponte because his notice of appeal was filed well past the statutory deadline. The court determined that even under the most favorable construction for the pro se prisoner, the filing date exceeded the six-month window required by federal law.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Apr 13 2026
11th Cir. 1:20-cv-23814-DPG Per Curiam

Okposio v. Barry University, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal sua sponte because the district court's order did not resolve all claims or parties in the underlying case. The appellate court held that the order was not final under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and did not qualify as an immediately appealable interlocutory order.

Admiralty / Maritime Civil
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Apr 13 2026
5th Cir. 25-30016 Panel Decision

Alexander v. Arceneaux

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers, holding that their seizure of unlisted electronics fell within the Fourth Amendment's plain view doctrine. The court found that specific tips regarding stolen goods, combined with the items' suspicious packaging and location, provided probable cause to believe the property was contraband.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 13 2026
4th Cir. 24-2237 Panel Decision

JEFFERY PAYNE v. SGT. JOSHUA MOSER

The Fourth Circuit vacated summary judgment in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case, holding that genuine disputes of material fact exist regarding the reasonableness of a vehicle ramming and shooting. The court ruled that a reasonable jury could find the force used was not objectively justified given the suspect was unarmed and the circumstances did not pose an immediate threat.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 13 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-02724-RFL Unpublished

Gretchen Shanahan v. IXL Learning, Inc.

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a motion to compel arbitration, holding that the burden of proving involuntary acceptance of terms lies with the parents, not the company. However, the court affirmed that the school districts were not authorized agents to bind parents to the arbitration clause.

Civil Insurance
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Apr 13 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-06256-CRB Unpublished

HOOPES VINEYARD, LLC; SUMMIT LAKE VINEYARDS & WINERY, LLC; COOK'S FLAT ASSOCIATES A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, DBA, Smith-Madrone v. COUNTY OF NAPA

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's application of Younger abstention for most claims while the plaintiffs had ongoing state proceedings, but reversed the dismissal of specific First Amendment retaliation claims. The court remanded the retaliation claims for adjudication because they were sufficiently separable from the state enforcement actions and did not pose a risk of enjoining those proceedings.

Constitutional Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection Standing
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Apr 13 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-06256-CRB Unpublished

Hoopes Vineyard, LLC v. County of Napa

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's application of Younger abstention for most claims but reversed the dismissal of a First Amendment retaliation claim. The court held that while ongoing state proceedings generally preclude federal intervention, the unique nature of the retaliation injury created an exceptional circumstance allowing the federal case to proceed on that specific issue.

Constitutional Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection Standing
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Apr 13 2026
8th Cir. 25-1444 Panel Decision

Dutcher v. Foley

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an inmate's claims regarding the Interstate Corrections Compact and Eighth Amendment violations but reversed the dismissal of his procedural due process claim. The court held that prolonged administrative segregation without meaningful periodic review violates the Fourteenth Amendment when officials indicate outcomes are predetermined.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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