Apr 24 2026
9th Cir. 2:19-cv-08989-MWF-JC Unpublished

HILL V. DIAZ, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's Section 1983 claim challenging his removal from a religious diet program. The court held that the plaintiff failed to allege facts supporting a sincerely held religious belief or sufficient supervisory liability.

Apr 24 2026
10th Cir. 1:24-CV-00142-SKC-KAS Panel Decision

Torres v. Polis, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Felix Mauro Torres's federal lawsuit because he failed to object to the magistrate judge's recommendation within the required timeframe. This procedural failure triggered the court's firm waiver rule, preventing Torres from raising his constitutional claims on appeal.

Apr 24 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-00843-GPG-NRN Panel Decision

Puller, et al. v. Greco, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a § 1983 false arrest and malicious prosecution claim against Denver police officers, ruling that the officers were protected by qualified immunity. The court held that an ambiguous surveillance video did not clearly establish that the officers lacked arguable probable cause to arrest the plaintiffs.

Apr 24 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-00389-JAT--JFM Unpublished

Gwen v. Degard

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's civil rights claims, ruling that he failed to allege facts showing a protected liberty interest or deliberate indifference to his medical needs. The court held that the plaintiff's allegations did not meet the legal standards required to survive a motion to dismiss under the Prison Litigation Reform Act.

Apr 23 2026
10th Cir. 1:20-CV-00612-RB-DLM Panel Decision

Vasquez v. Jones, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's Eighth Amendment supervisory liability claim against the Secretary of Corrections. The court held that generalized allegations of understaffing and poor training were insufficient to prove the official knew or should have known these conditions would specifically cause the plaintiff's injuries.

Apr 23 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-02835-LTB-RTG) Panel Decision

Coit v. Stancil, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jill Coit's § 1983 claims against prison officials, ruling that her fourth amended complaint failed to state a claim. The court held that the Eleventh Amendment barred monetary relief against official-capacity defendants and that the complaint did not comply with federal pleading standards.

Apr 23 2026
10th Cir. 25-6190 Panel Decision

Kelley v. Sparks, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's Eighth Amendment claim because the plaintiff failed to explain why the magistrate judge's recommendation was incorrect in his objections. The court held that the district court properly screened the complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) and did not err by declining to distinguish between personal and official capacity claims.

Apr 23 2026
10th Cir. 24-4101 Panel Decision

Sherratt v. Braithwaite, et al.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se civil rights lawsuit filed by a former inmate against multiple judges and prosecutors. The court held that state officials are not persons under federal civil rights statutes and that the defendants were protected by absolute judicial and prosecutorial immunity.