Correspondent
Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal because the pro se appellant failed to file specific objections to a magistrate judge's recommendation after receiving proper notice. This procedural failure forfeited the appellant's right to appellate review of the district court's underlying order.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a pro se plaintiff's motions for relief from judgment. The court held that the district court did not lack jurisdiction or violate due process by considering filings from a non-party insurance company.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's civil action due to procedural failures. The court held that untimely and non-specific objections to a magistrate judge's recommendation waived the right to appellate review.
The Ninth Circuit dismissed a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision denying cancellation of removal. The court found the petitioner failed to exhaust claims regarding ineffective assistance of counsel and lacked jurisdiction to review discretionary agency determinations.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights complaint because the appellant failed to challenge the specific legal basis for the lower court's order in his informal brief. Under Fourth Circuit Rule 34(b), this omission forfeited appellate review, leaving the district court's dismissal and denial of postjudgment motions intact.
The Ninth Circuit granted a stay pending appeal of a district court order that had struck the word operation from an Arizona statute governing birth certificate amendments. The panel paused the injunction to preserve the status quo while it considers the merits of the appeal regarding transgender rights.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a federal employee's Title VII claim for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. The court held that the plaintiff's EEO complaint was filed after the statutory deadline, rendering the claim procedurally barred.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that Hawaii violated the National Voter Registration Act by refusing to provide a statewide voter list. The court held that while the plaintiff had standing and the claim was ripe, the statute does not require states to disclose voter lists themselves.
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.
The Ninth Circuit granted a stay pending appeal of a district court order that had struck the word operation from an Arizona statute governing birth certificate amendments. This action preserves the status quo while the appellate court considers the merits of the constitutional challenge brought by a class of transgender individuals.
