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Mar 16 2026
10th Cir. 2:25-CV-02151-JWL Panel Decision

Michael A. Hudson v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Michael Hudson's claims against the Social Security Commissioner because the appellant failed to prosecute previous appeals and offered no arguments challenging the lower court's ruling. The court held it lacked jurisdiction to review prior district court decisions and found no legal basis for the requested FICA tax refunds or damages.

Civil Res Judicata Social Security
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 5:24-cv-02352-SSS-SSC Unpublished

KEVIN MASSENGALE v. SHANNON D. DICUS; SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT; COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO; HIGH DESERT DETENTION CENTER: KEVIN MASSENGALE v. SHANNON D. DICUS; SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT; COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO; HIGH DESERT DETENTION CENTER

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a plaintiff's First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim because he failed to allege facts showing the absence of probable cause. The court further held that denying leave to amend was proper since any amendment would be futile given the lack of plausible allegations.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-05291-SPG-PD Unpublished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
9th Cir. 2:18-cv-00374-WBS-JDP Unpublished

RODNEY BROOKS v. S. LEE, Correctional Lieutenant; S BEASLEY; J. LEE; E. ARNOLD, Warden

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in a prisoner's civil rights case, ruling that the lower court did not abuse its discretion in denying motions to reopen discovery. The appellate court held that the appellant failed to demonstrate the diligence required to justify additional discovery or show that such discovery would have prevented summary judgment.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
5th Cir. 25-10990 Per Curiam

United States v. Leonard

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Desmonte Dwayne Leonard's conviction for felon-in-possession of a firearm, ruling that his facial Second Amendment challenge is foreclosed by binding precedent. The court granted the government's motion for summary affirmance, citing United States v. Diaz as controlling authority.

Constitutional Criminal Firearms
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-03457-RS Unpublished

State of California, ex rel. CARNEY ANTHONY PATTON SR. and STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. TRANSDEV SERVICES, INC., improperly captioned as Connex TCT LLC; TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se qui tam action alleging violations of the California False Claims Act. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion regarding case management, the denial of reconsideration, and the refusal to appoint counsel.

Civil Contract
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:22-cr-02548- Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CRUZ TORRES-GONZALEZ

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a sentence for illegal reentry, rejecting the argument that concurrent sentencing for a prior false-statement conviction precludes applying an eight-level sentencing enhancement. The panel held that the text of the Sentencing Guidelines requires using the actual sentence length imposed for the prior non-reentry offense, regardless of how grouping rules affected the original sentence.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal) Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:21-cv-02054-GPC-KSC Unpublished

Benjamin Dennis Goode v. J. Canedo, Then, Correctional Sergeant; Now, Correctional Lieutenant; John and Jane Does, 1-100, Correctional Staff and J. Canejo

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in a pro se prisoner's Eighth Amendment claim, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove deliberate indifference regarding COVID-19 quarantine conditions. The court further upheld the dismissal of a claim concerning the removal of the plaintiff's CPAP machine due to insufficient factual allegations linking the defendant to the act.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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