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.

Mar 16 2026
2:23-cv-01135-JLR Unpublished

ERIC STEPHEN FREEZE v. ELIZABETH E. GALLAGHER; JOSE T ACUNA; ANN G. FREEZE, Revocable Trust; RONALD L. FREEZE, Revocable Trust; JAMES MASSINGALE; ANGELA MASSINGALE

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment on the pleadings, ruling that issue preclusion barred federal claims regarding family property rights. The court held that the ownership and remuneration issues were already litigated and decided in a prior state court quiet title action.

Civil Real Property
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Mar 16 2026
2:12-cr-00906-DGC-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ROCKY DELGADO MARQUEZ

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a defendant's motion for compassionate release, ruling that the district court's reliance on sentencing factors was sufficient to deny relief. The court held that any potential error regarding the defendant's extraordinary and compelling circumstances was harmless because the sentence reduction would not reflect the seriousness of the offense.

Compassionate Release Criminal
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Mar 16 2026
3:24-cv-06272-TLT Unpublished

Dennis Allums v. City of Oakland

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights lawsuit because the complaint was too verbose and conclusory to state a plausible claim. The court further held that the district court properly denied leave to amend because any amendment would have been futile.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 16 2026
3:22-cv-08185-JAT-MTM Unpublished

Daniel C. Aguilar v. Charles Wynn, Chief of Police at Chino Valley Police Department; Jon Szymanski; Jeff Pizzi

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a § 1983 false arrest action, holding that the plaintiff failed to prove the officers made false statements to obtain a warrant or lacked probable cause. The court further ruled that supervisory liability was properly denied because there was no evidence the police chief participated in or caused the alleged constitutional violation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
3:21-cv-05137-JD Unpublished

SUSAN CAROL PLICHCIK v. SAFECO INSURANCE; SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA; SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS; GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in an insurance coverage dispute, ruling that the plaintiff failed to file her claims within the policy's one-year limitations period. Under California law, the court held that this limitations period begins to run only upon a formal denial of coverage by the insurer.

Civil Insurance Statute of Limitations Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
2:24-cv-05291-SPG-PD Unpublished

Mocienne Elizabeth Petit Jackson v. Staat der Nederlanden; Pels Rijcken; Staat der Belgium

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se lawsuit against foreign states and a law firm for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish federal question jurisdiction, diversity jurisdiction, or an exception to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Mar 16 2026
8:25-cv-01239-KK-JC Unpublished

RAYMOND T. DeMERITT v. FRANK BISIGNANO, Commissioner of Social Security

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by a plaintiff to stop the garnishment of his Social Security benefits. The court held that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits because executing a garnishment order does not require judicial examination beyond the face of the legal process.

Civil Preliminary Injunction Social Security
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