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May 1 2026
10th Cir. 5:25-CV-03049-JWL Panel Decision

Martin v. Schnurr, et al.

The Tenth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a prisoner's Eighth Amendment claim, holding that the lower court erred by relying on a Martinez Report to resolve factual disputes during the screening stage. The appellate court clarified that while such reports may help identify frivolous claims, they cannot be used to dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim when the report conflicts with the plaintiff's pleadings.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-7074 Per Curiam

Richard Vandale Clowney v. SCDC

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Richard Vandale Clowney's Section 1983 complaint because his appellate objections to the magistrate judge's recommendation lacked the required specificity. Although Clowney filed objections on time, they were too generalized to alert the district court to the true legal grounds for his appeal, resulting in a waiver of substantive review.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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May 1 2026
9th Cir. 4:21-cv-00257-JGZ Unpublished

WRIGHT, ET AL. V. TALAMANTES, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment for Dr. Dale Woolridge, holding that conducting a forensic medical exam on a child without parental consent or a court order violates clearly established constitutional rights absent exigent circumstances. The court also reversed summary judgment for investigator Gerardo Talamantes on judicial deception claims, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the materiality of his statements to the juvenile court.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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May 1 2026
6th Cir. 25-6101 Unanimous

United States v. Turner

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 246-month sentence for a defendant who committed three armed carjackings as a teenager, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion by weighing his extensive juvenile criminal history as an aggravating factor. The court held that the sentencing judge properly balanced the defendant's youth and background against the need for deterrence and the statutory mandatory minimums.

Criminal Firearms
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May 1 2026
4th Cir. 25-6939 Per Curiam

KEVIN MARK WILLSON v. DIRECTOR SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION, PAROLE AND PARDON SERVICES

The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal from a district court's dismissal of a habeas petition because the petitioner failed to file specific objections to the magistrate judge's recommendation. This procedural default bars appellate review of the underlying claim's merits, leaving the district court's order in effect.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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May 1 2026
9th Cir. 20-73290 Unpublished

ORLANDO REYES-NAVARRO, ET AL V. TODD BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order dismissing claims for asylum and withholding of removal. The court held that violence inflicted on the petitioners' family members was insufficient to establish past persecution and that the petitioners failed to prove they could not safely relocate within Mexico.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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May 1 2026
9th Cir. 22-1818 Unpublished

GONZALEZ GONZALEZ V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision rejecting asylum and related relief for a Mexican national with mental health challenges. The court affirmed the denial because the petitioner failed to exhaust administrative remedies on several claims and lacked substantial evidence proving a unique risk of persecution distinct from other mentally disabled individuals in Mexico.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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