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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-01241-CNS-SBP Panel Decision

Martinez v. City of Aurora, Colorado, et al.

The Tenth Circuit reversed the district court's denial of the City of Aurora's motion to dismiss, holding that an officer on administrative leave lacked the actual authority required to act under color of law. The court clarified that under the Supreme Court's decision in Lindke v. Freed, apparent authority or subjective belief is insufficient to establish state action for a Section 1983 claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-30124 Per Curiam

United States v. Lott

The Fifth Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw, finding no nonfrivolous issues for direct appeal. However, the court dismissed the appeal without prejudice because the record was insufficient to fairly evaluate the defendant's ineffective assistance claims.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
4th Cir. 25-2425 Per Curiam

ANTHONY GLENN JAMES v. JOHN SONNENDECKER, ATF Agent; CHRISTOPHER SCOTT LIETZOW, U.S Attorney; JANET CARRA HENDERSON U.S Attorney; WILLIAM CROCKETTE, Charleston P.D. - ATF Liasion: ANTHONY GLENN JAMES v. JOHN SONNENDECKER, ATF Agent; CHRISTOPHER SCOTT LIETZOW, U.S Attorney; JANET CARRA HENDERSON U.S Attorney; WILLIAM CROCKETTE, Charleston P.D. – ATF Liasion

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a plaintiff's Bivens claim, ruling that the complaint failed to allege sufficient facts to establish a cognizable constitutional violation. The court further held that the U.S. Attorneys involved were protected by absolute prosecutorial immunity from liability.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 27 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-00655- 2-1

FORWARD, INC. V. MACOMBER, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a citizen suit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, ruling that state agency heads lacked the required 'fairly direct' connection to alleged hazardous waste violations to overcome Eleventh Amendment immunity. The court held that general supervisory roles over agencies causing pollution are insufficient to subject officials to suit under the Ex parte Young exception.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Summary Judgment
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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 2:24-CV-02073-HLT-ADM Panel Decision

Borsody v. Federal Express Corporation

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's order enforcing a handwritten settlement term sheet between an employee and her employer. The appellate panel held that the appellant failed to provide reasoned arguments or legal authority to challenge the district court's discretion in enforcing the agreement.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-20332 Per Curiam

United States v. Martinez

The Fifth Circuit granted an appointed attorney's motion to withdraw from representing a criminal defendant after reviewing the record and finding no non-frivolous issues for appeal. Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal and excused counsel from further responsibilities.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
4th Cir. 25-2375 Per Curiam

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NUMBER P60005535 v. ERIN BURNETT, Outfront of Cable News Network (CNN); JASON CARROLL; ANDREW KACZYNSKI, of K-File; MANU RAJU; DR. SANJAY GUPTA; JAKE TAPP...: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NUMBER P60005535 v. ERIN BURNETT, Outfront of Cable News Network (CNN); JASON CARROLL; ANDREW KACZYNSKI, of K-File; MANU RAJU; DR. SANJAY GUPTA; JAKE TAPP…

The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se litigant because the notice was submitted before the district court entered a final order. The court held that without a final judgment or specific interlocutory ruling, it lacks the statutory authority to hear the case.

Civil Other Civil
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Apr 27 2026
9th Cir. 3:25-cv-02170-SI Published

DICKINSON, ET AL. V. TRUMP, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit stayed a district court's preliminary injunction that restricted federal agents' use of non-lethal crowd-control munitions at the Portland ICE facility. The appellate court found the government likely to succeed on its First Amendment retaliation claim and ruled the lower court's order was overly broad and exceeded judicial authority.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 6:23-CV-01091-HLT Panel Decision

Ward v. Wesley Medical Center, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Wesley Medical Center, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove discrimination or retaliation under the ADA and FMLA. The court held that the plaintiff could not establish causation because he did not timely provide medical documentation and failed to respond to employer requests for verification.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11186 Per Curiam

United States v. Valentine

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Willie Ray Valentine, finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review. The court dismissed the appeal pursuant to Fifth Circuit Rule 42.2 after a thorough examination of the record.

Anders Brief Criminal
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