United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

ROD JENKINS v. VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM

The Fourth Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of a Title VII failure-to-accommodate claim, holding that the plaintiff's objections to fetal cell therapy and constitutional rights plausibly established a sincerely held religious belief. The court clarified that an employee need not provide a detailed theological treatise to satisfy the pleading standard if they assert a common religious objection within a formal accommodation request.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AMANDA MARIE TOSTADO

The Fourth Circuit vacated a defendant's sentence because the written judgment imposed a warrantless-search condition that was materially broader than the condition orally announced at sentencing. The court held that the oral pronouncement controls and that the discrepancy required resentencing to ensure the defendant was not bound by unannounced terms.

DANIEL NEIL JACKSON v. D. DAMERON, RN; DR. K. SMITH

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se prisoner's complaint, holding that district courts must construe pleadings liberally but are not required to act as legal advocates. The court determined the plaintiff's essential grievance was an Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference, not an Americans with Disabilities Act claim.

Andrew Chien v. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles; Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr.; Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, III; Judge James Andrew Wynn; Judge Pamela A. Harris; Judge Robert B. K...

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit against seven federal judges, holding that they are protected by absolute judicial immunity. The court found no reversible error in concluding that the judges' alleged conduct fell within their judicial capacity.

Adkins v. Rosslyn Syndicate, LC

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of multiple emergency motions filed by pro se appellant Dora L. Adkins, finding no reversible error in the lower court's rulings. Citing a pattern of numerous meritless appeals, the court ordered Adkins to show cause why it should not impose a prefiling injunction or monetary sanctions for abusing the judicial process.

Dymond Thomas v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a pro se litigant's Rule 60(b) motion because the appellant failed to challenge the specific reasons for that denial in his informal brief. The court further held that it lacked jurisdiction to review the underlying dismissal order because the appeal was untimely and the Rule 60(b) motion did not toll the appeal period.

Lorenzo Dominic Richardson v. Gerald Baker; Jet Insurance Company; On Point Risk Solutions; Adam B. Midgette; Thomas L. Teal; Tim C. Jarvis; J.R. Moore; David S. Brannon; Wake C...

The Fourth Circuit dismissed the appeal regarding the underlying dismissal and denial of post-judgment motions because the notice of appeal was filed after the mandatory thirty-day deadline. The court affirmed the separate order enjoining further filings, finding no reversible error in the district court's decision.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEVEN RUSSELL HELTON

TODD MICHAEL GIFFEN v. WARDEN FMC ROCHESTER

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Todd Michael Giffen's habeas corpus petition due to his failure to prosecute the case. The court also dismissed a separate appeal for lack of jurisdiction because the challenged orders were not final or appealable.

MURDOCK READY MIXED CONCRETE COMPANY v. RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS (AMERICA) INC.

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's complaint for failure to comply with a court order to obtain counsel. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion and that the plaintiff forfeited any challenge to the order by failing to raise it earlier.