10th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

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

Apr 15 2026
1:24-CV-00443-JCH-LF) Panel Decision

SANDRA VASQUEZ-GARCIA v. CENTURION, LLC; CENTURION CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE OF NEW MEXICO, LLC; MHM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, INC.; WEXFORD HEALTH SOURCES INC.; SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE L...

The Tenth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a prisoner's Eighth Amendment medical care claims, holding that the lower court erred by applying a pleading standard to a statute of limitations defense that requires factual development. The court clarified that accrual of a deliberate indifference claim depends on when a plaintiff knew or should have known of the defendant's subjective state of mind, a determination inappropriate for resolution on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual Statute of Limitations
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Apr 15 2026
5:23-CV-03032-EFM-BGS Panel Decision

ADRIAN D. LIVINGSTON v. UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY; WYANDOTTE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; ADAM SOKOLOFF; TAYLOR HINES; (FNU) SANDERS; (FNU) CONTRERAS; DONA...

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Adrian Livingston's Section 1983 claims, ruling that his post-acquittal detention was justified by good-faith reliance on an inaccurate detention system. The court rejected arguments regarding malicious prosecution, statute of limitations, and supervisory liability, finding no constitutional violations or policy failures by the county.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 15 2026
2:24-CV-00700-DAO) Panel Decision

Hackford v. United States Department of Interior

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court dismissal of a pro se challenge to tribal membership classification. The court held that the statutory window to contest the determination under the Ute Partition Act had long expired.

Civil Securities
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Apr 13 2026
2:23-CR-00002-SWS-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RONNELL LEE ROBERTSON

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for compassionate release, ruling that challenges to sentencing guideline calculations must be brought via habeas corpus rather than compassionate release proceedings. The court held that the defendant's argument effectively attacked the validity of his plea agreement and sentence, which falls outside the scope of 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A).

Compassionate Release Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 13 2026
2:24-CV-00520-DBB Panel Decision

Kosher Eats LLC v. Welch

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a RICO lawsuit alleging a loan scam orchestrated by an attorney and his colleagues. The court held that plaintiffs failed to plausibly allege the existence of an unincorporated partnership, which was a necessary element for both the RICO claims and the liability of the individual attorneys.

Civil Insurance
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