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 3 2026
3rd Cir. 2:24-cv-00959 Panel Decision

RP Wynstone LP v. Township of New Hanover

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of real estate developers' federal civil rights claims against a Pennsylvania township, ruling that the allegations were barred by the statute of limitations. The court further held that the specific acts alleged did not meet the high legal thresholds required for substantive due process or equal protection violations.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Statute of Limitations
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Mar 3 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2816 Panel Decision

JOHN WAYNE v. JOHN E. WETZEL; GEORGE LITTLE; TABB BICKELL; MICHAEL CLARK; LEE ESTOCK; DEREK F. OBERLANDER; JAIME SORBER; TAMMY FERGUSON; SECRETARY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COR...

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials against an inmate's Eighth Amendment claim regarding his placement on the Restricted Release List. The court held that the inmate's documented history of violence and ongoing misconduct provided a legitimate penological justification for his continued restricted housing.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Summary Judgment
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Mar 2 2026
3rd Cir. 24-3311 Panel Decision

R. S., by and through his parents; M. S.; N. S., in their own right v. EAST BRUNSWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment for the East Brunswick School District, holding that the district provided a Free Appropriate Public Education to a student with Down Syndrome. The court ruled that placing the student in a self-contained classroom for specific subjects was necessary because he could not be educated satisfactorily in a general education setting despite extensive supplementary supports.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Summary Judgment
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Mar 2 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 25A810B97D 5-4

Mirabelli v. Bonta

The Supreme Court vacated a Ninth Circuit stay of a permanent injunction blocking California school policies that prohibit notifying parents of their children's gender transitioning. The Court held that the policies likely violate parents' First Amendment Free Exercise rights and Fourteenth Amendment Due Process rights to direct their children's upbringing.

Civil Environmental (Civil)
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Mar 2 2026
6th Cir. 25-1205 Published

SCOTT W. WILLIAMS v. ADDISON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS; JOSH PERRY; MICHAEL MURPHY; JENNIFER FROST; ANDREA WOODRING; KIM FORD; STEVE GUERRA

The Sixth Circuit vacated a district court's decision to adjudicate a novel state constitutional tort claim after dismissing all federal claims. The appellate court held that the lower court abused its discretion by exercising supplemental jurisdiction over a complex, unique provision of the Michigan Constitution.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Mar 2 2026
10th Cir. 4:21-CV-00026-DN-PK) Panel Decision

DANYALE BLACKMORE and VINCENT BLACKMORE v. JARED CARLSON; ERIC DEMILLE; HURRICANE CITY and LA-NORMA RAMIREZ; WASHINGTON COUNTY

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's summary judgment on an unlawful seizure claim because the appellant failed to challenge one of three independent alternative grounds supporting the ruling. The court also affirmed the dismissal of an excessive force claim, holding that the law was not clearly established at the time of the incident.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 2 2026
10th Cir. 26-5027 Panel Decision

In re ERICK WANJIKU

The Tenth Circuit denied Erick Wanjiku's request to file a second or successive habeas corpus petition because his claims did not meet the strict statutory exceptions required by federal law. The court emphasized that Wanjiku's own motion admitted his claims failed to rely on a new rule of constitutional law or present previously undiscoverable facts establishing innocence.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 2 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-00811-JB-JFR Panel Decision

DONALD SOUSA v. CHIPOTLE SERVICES, LLC

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Chipotle, ruling that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence of pretext to support his age discrimination claim under the New Mexico Human Rights Act. The court held that the employer's stated reasons for termination—persistent pest infestations and widespread cleanliness failures—were legitimate and not a cover for age-based discrimination.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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