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
Mar 13 2026
7th Cir. 25-1523 Panel Decision

FRANK T. WHITEHEAD v. GREGORY PLANTZ and RON WAAS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison guards, ruling that a prisoner's failure to use established religious accommodation procedures precluded a finding of liability for refusing to hire him. The court further held that a guard's offhand comment calling a prisoner a snitch did not violate clearly established First Amendment law, shielding the officer from liability.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Qualified Immunity
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Mar 13 2026
6th Cir. 25-5653 Published

Jane Doe, by and through C.B. v. Diocese of Covington, et al.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a Catholic school, ruling that a single instance of racial slurring by a classmate and a teacher's insensitive lesson did not constitute actionable harassment under Title VI. The court held that the school's prompt investigation and remedial actions, including removing the teacher from chaperone duties and providing diversity training, defeated claims of deliberate indifference.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Summary Judgment
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Mar 13 2026
11th Cir. 3:25-cv-00656-MCR-ZCB Per Curiam

BRADLEY WAYNE MOORE v. CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH Municipality

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's Section 1983 complaint alleging Brady and Giglio violations because the allegations were conclusory and failed to state a plausible claim. The court clarified that prosecutors have no constitutional duty to disclose impeachment evidence prior to a guilty plea, which negated the plaintiff's due process argument.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Res Judicata Statute of Limitations
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Mar 13 2026
5th Cir. 25-40126 Panel Decision

Priscilla Tryon Cambric v. City of Corpus Christi

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a plaintiff's claim that the City of Corpus Christi selectively enforced building codes against her historic property in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. The court held that the plaintiff failed to plead sufficient facts to establish a municipal policy or custom of discrimination under Section 1983.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 13 2026
3rd Cir. 22-2237 Panel Decision

Keith Whitmore v. Superintendent Forest SCI; The District Attorney of the County of Philadelphia; The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of PA

The Third Circuit reversed the denial of a federal habeas petition and remanded the case for an evidentiary hearing on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The court held that the state court unreasonably applied federal law by denying a hearing without first allowing the petitioner to prove allegations that trial counsel failed to investigate a biased critical witness.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Right to Counsel
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Mar 13 2026
3rd Cir. 23-2516 Panel Decision

GLAVIN IVY v. WELLPATH; CRNP LESLIE; CORRECT CARE SOLUTIONS; CRNP SUTHERLAND; DR. MAXA

The Third Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to prison medical providers, ruling that their extensive treatment of a prisoner did not constitute deliberate indifference. The court held that disagreements over medical judgment, such as the timing of a diagnosis or the choice of medication, are insufficient to prove an Eighth Amendment violation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Mar 13 2026
9th Cir. 3:25-cv-01766-EMC Published

National TPS Alliance v. Noem

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for rehearing en banc, leaving in place a panel decision that set aside the Department of Homeland Security's termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Venezuela. The court reaffirmed that the statutory judicial review bar does not shield the Secretary's actions from challenge when she exceeds her statutory authority by vacating prior designations.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Mar 12 2026
4th Cir. 23-2316 Panel Decision

Peterson v. Harrah's NC Casino Co., LLC

The Fourth Circuit vacated a district court's dismissal of an employment discrimination lawsuit, ruling that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' gaming enterprise was not a necessary party to the case. The court held that the plaintiff's claims against the corporate casino operator could proceed without the Tribe, as the operator retained exclusive authority over hiring and firing decisions.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Mar 12 2026
7th Cir. 24-3293 Panel Decision

CHRISTOPHER P. RADDANT v. DOUGLAS COUNTY, WISCONSIN, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights case alleging excessive force during a jail booking. The court held that body-worn camera footage contradicted the plaintiff's version of events, leaving no genuine dispute for a jury to resolve regarding the reasonableness of the officers' actions.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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