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 22 2026
3:22-cr-08113-DJH Unpublished

USA V. ANAGAL

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Kendall Anagal's conviction for aggravated sexual abuse, ruling that the district court properly admitted expert testimony regarding child abuse myths and prior bad acts evidence. The court further held that the admission of peephole and video evidence was harmless error and that an inquiry into a juror's internal motivations was barred by Federal Rule of Evidence 606(b).

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Apr 22 2026
2:22-cv-02717- Published

J. R. V. VENTURA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court judgment, holding that parents' IDEA claims regarding educational services prior to 2019 were time-barred under the statute of limitations. The court ruled that the limitations period began when parents knew or should have known of the school district's failure to assess their child and the resulting denial of a free appropriate public education.

Civil Civil Rights - Education
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Apr 22 2026
3:23-cr-05326-BHS-1 Unpublished

USA v. Colfax

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Schylar Colfax's conviction for abusive sexual contact with a minor, finding the evidence sufficient to prove intent to gratify sexual desire. The court rejected challenges regarding witness credibility, the suppression of statements, and the admission of prior bad acts, concluding no reversible error occurred.

Criminal Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Sex Offenses
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Apr 22 2026
2:22-cv-02717- Published

J. R. V. VENTURA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court judgment, holding that parents' IDEA claims for services received before 2019 were time-barred. The court ruled that the two-year statute of limitations began when parents knew or should have known of the school's failure to assess and the resulting denial of a free appropriate public education.

Civil Civil Rights - Education
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Apr 22 2026
4:22-cv-00057-REP Unpublished

STANFIELD V. CLEMENT

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of Katherine Lea Stanfield's federal habeas petition, ruling that the Idaho Supreme Court did not unreasonably apply federal law when admitting expert testimony about a technician's statements. The court held that the Confrontation Clause was not violated because the testifying expert had personal knowledge of the evidence's accuracy and the technician's labeling served a laboratory purpose rather than a trial purpose.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause
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Apr 22 2026
2:21-cv-04154-SSS-KS Unpublished

Harvest Aid, LLC v. Paul, et al.

The Ninth Circuit vacated a district court order that denied defendants' motions for a new trial solely because they failed to comply with local pre-filing conference rules. The appellate court held that strict enforcement of procedural requirements without equitable consideration deprived the defendants of a merits-based trial when they had made good-faith efforts to cooperate.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Apr 22 2026
2:21-cv-04154-SSS-KS Unpublished

Harvest Aid, LLC v. Paul, et al.

The Ninth Circuit vacated a district court order that denied a motion for a new trial solely because the defendants failed to complete a local rule pre-filing conference. The appellate court held that the district court abused its discretion by ignoring the defendants' good-faith efforts to meet and confer and the plaintiff's refusal to cooperate.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Apr 22 2026
25-2152 Unpublished

SINGH V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied Paramjeet Singh's petition for review of his asylum and removal relief applications, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' adverse credibility determination. The court found the agency's findings conclusive because Singh's testimony regarding past persecution contained material inconsistencies with his prior statements and medical records.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 22 2026
25-1061 Unpublished

QUEVEDO-DIAZ, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order rejecting asylum and Convention Against Torture claims. The court affirmed that the petitioners failed to prove their proposed social group is socially distinct in Guatemala and did not meet the high legal bar for torture relief.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 22 2026
3:24-cv-05112-SKV Unpublished

POST V. BISIGNANO

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of Social Security disability benefits, ruling that the Administrative Law Judge's findings were supported by substantial evidence. The court held that the claimant failed to meet the medical listing requirements because he was unmedicated during a critical lung function test.

Civil Social Security
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