9th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Apr 23 2026
2:23-cv-00493-GMN-BNW Unpublished

Clark v. U.S. Bank National Association, et al.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Alfred Clark's foreclosure-related claims, ruling that he failed to plausibly allege the defendants were debt collectors under the FDCPA or that he was not in default. The court held that amending the complaint would be futile because no viable legal theory existed to support his allegations under federal or Nevada law.

Civil Consumer Protection
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Apr 23 2026
22-675 Unpublished

Castillo Carrion v. Blanche

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision affirming the denial of cancellation of removal. The court held that the petitioner forfeited his challenge regarding his son's age by failing to raise it in his opening brief, as the BIA relied on an alternative, independently sufficient ground.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 23 2026
2:24-cv-00769-RGK-KS Unpublished

Bowman v. Tesla, Inc.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Tesla, ruling that a used car buyer cannot automatically inherit a manufacturer's warranty claim from the original owner. The court held that valid assignment of a legal right requires the transferor to manifest a specific intent to transfer, which was absent in this transaction.

Civil Contract
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Apr 23 2026
2:23-cv-03401- Published

Petrey v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd.

The Ninth Circuit vacated summary judgment on a maritime negligence claim because expert testimony created a genuine dispute over whether a cruise line knew its bathroom design was unreasonably dangerous. However, the court affirmed summary judgment on a negligence per se claim because a movable shower curtain does not qualify as a prohibited obstruction under applicable plumbing codes.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment
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Apr 23 2026
19399-23L Unpublished

VARELA V. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the Tax Court's summary judgment upholding a frivolous filing penalty and a separate sanction against Ruben Varela. The court rejected Varela's arguments that income tax liability depends on receiving a governmental privilege and found no abuse of discretion in the sanctions imposed for pursuing meritless positions.

Civil Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)
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Apr 23 2026
2:22-cr-00586-ODW-1 Unpublished

USA v. Polzin

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Jacques Polzin's conviction for violating federal conflict-of-interest statutes, ruling that a rational jury could reject his entrapment by estoppel defense. The court deferred to the jury's resolution of conflicting evidence regarding supervisor approval and Polzin's concealment from ICE agents.

Criminal Fraud Plain Error Review Sixth Amendment - Jury Trial
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Apr 23 2026
2:24-cv-00964-MRA-SSC Unpublished

SILVER V. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se lawsuit challenging Los Angeles County property tax collection, holding that federal comity principles bar § 1983 challenges where state remedies exist. The court also upheld the dismissal of civil RICO and state law claims for failing to meet the plausibility standard required by federal pleading rules.

Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Apr 23 2026
3:23-cv-05745-TMC Unpublished

Miller v. County of Thurston, et al.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for law enforcement officers in a civil rights lawsuit brought by a man arrested for domestic violence-related offenses. The court held that the plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence to dispute probable cause for his arrest, discriminatory intent in his enforcement, or personal participation in firearm restrictions.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection Summary Judgment
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Apr 23 2026
8:24-cv-00175-FWS-KES Unpublished

MAHBOUBIAN, ET AL. V. BLINKEN

The Ninth Circuit dismissed an appeal challenging unreasonable delays in immigrant visa adjudications as moot after the State Department issued the requested visas during the litigation. The court held that no exceptions to mootness applied because the plaintiffs could not demonstrate a reasonable expectation of future similar harm.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Mootness
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