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Civil Rights - Section 1983

Every decision we've filed under Civil Rights - Section 1983.

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Civil 2101 Criminal 1228 Summary Judgment 471 Sentencing Guidelines 419 Immigration (Civil) 358 Constitutional 353 Supervised Release 289 Drug Trafficking 275 Firearms 215 Civil Rights - Employment 205 Intellectual Property 160 Qualified Immunity 153
Apr 2 2026
11th Cir. 7:23-cv-00114-WLS-ALS Per Curiam

PAUL GEORGE BETTENCOURT v. UNIT MANAGER DELISHA BRYANT Individual and Official Capacity

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an inmate's Eighth Amendment claim because he failed to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act. The court held that the prison's grievance process remained available to the plaintiff despite his inability to use writing utensils and a limit on pending grievances.

Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Apr 2 2026
10th Cir. 5:24-CV-00235-R) Panel Decision

DERRICK DUANE BARKER v. CITY OF WEATHERFORD EX REL WEATHERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT; RYAN HETHERINGTON; SEAN LANIER; NORMANDO GUYTON; DYLAN OWENS; DEREK BECK; CHASE MURLEY; JUSTIN...

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case, holding they were entitled to qualified immunity. The court found the officers' use of force was objectively reasonable because the plaintiff remained actively resistant even after being tased.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 2 2026
9th Cir. 8:21-cv-01317-DOC-DFM Unpublished

CHARLES HEAD v. Officer J. ROCHA, individual; KENNETH CHIN, individual; Police Officer QUINN individual; Officer C. MCPHAIL, Officer Badge no. A171 La Habra Police Department

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers in a civil rights action, ruling that the plaintiff's own deposition testimony defeated his claims of evidence fabrication and malicious prosecution. The court held that the plaintiff's admission that he failed to register his weapon as required by law established probable cause for his arrest, which serves as a complete defense to both constitutional torts.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Apr 2 2026
9th Cir. 6:22-cv-00496-MO Unpublished

ROBIN R. GILLILAND v. Linn County Deputy EASON; Linn County Deputy LEDERER; Linn County Deputy Lt D. RANDALL

The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment on Gilliland's Eighth Amendment excessive-force claim against Deputy Eason, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding force used during transport. The court affirmed judgment for all other claims, including those against Deputy Lederer and Lieutenant Randall, while remanding the excessive-force claim for trial.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 2 2026
8th Cir. 24-3261 Panel Decision

Michael Cunningham v. Trooper Amanda Kahler

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of sovereign immunity against a state superintendent in his official capacity, ruling that Missouri law does not waive immunity for prospective relief regarding expunged records. The court held that while the state cannot be sued for damages, the superintendent remains subject to suit to prevent future dissemination of expunged convictions that lead to unlawful arrests.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 2 2026
4th Cir. 24-6538 Per Curiam

Michael Jermaine Grace v. Alamance County; Graham Police Department; Officer Cross; Officer Z. Hulcher; Detective C.T. Denny

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action, holding that the plaintiff waived appellate review of claims barred by the statute of limitations. For the remaining claims, the court found no reversible error after a de novo review of the record.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 24-1822 Panel Decision

BELIA ARLENE-OCASIO; EFRAÍN COLÓN-DAMIANI v. COMISIÓN ESTATAL DE ELECCIONES; JORGE RIVERA RUEDA

The First Circuit reversed a district court order allowing the collection of attorneys' fees against Puerto Rico's election commission, holding that the fee award was a discharged claim under Puerto Rico's PROMESA debt restructuring plan. The court ruled that the claim arose before the plan's effective date and was barred because the plaintiffs failed to file a proof of claim by the administrative expense deadline.

Bankruptcy Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 1 2026
11th Cir. 9:24-cv-81145-AMC Per Curiam

Wright v. 15th District Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Sean Wright's Section 1983 claims, holding that the State Attorney's Office is an arm of the state entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity. The court further upheld the dismissal of claims against the Sheriff's Office and individual officers because Wright failed to allege sufficient facts to establish Article III standing or liability under Monell.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Apr 1 2026
6th Cir. 25-1629 Published

LATOYA AARON, as Legal Guardian of Derek Aaron an Incompetent Individual v. DARREN KING; EDWARD PAWLOWSKI; EUGENE FIELDER, Officers

The Sixth Circuit reversed the denial of qualified immunity for officers who used force to handcuff a large suspect actively resisting arrest for violent felonies. The court held that no clearly established law prohibited the officers' actions because the suspect's physical defiance created a unique factual context not covered by prior precedent.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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