Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil Rights - Section 1983.
The Tenth Circuit remanded a civil rights case where the district court dismissed a pro se complaint without explaining why amendment would be futile. The appellate panel held that while the complaint failed to state a claim, the lower court erred by not allowing the plaintiff an opportunity to amend.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pretrial detainee's civil rights lawsuit against county officials. The panel held that the plaintiff failed to plausibly plead claims regarding access to news, access to courts, living conditions, bail, and retaliation.
The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court dismissal with prejudice, holding that the plaintiff lacked standing for injunctive relief under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court also ruled that the plaintiff's civil rights claims were barred by the Rooker-Feldman doctrine because they sought to overturn a state court judgment.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's amended civil complaint as an impermissible shotgun pleading. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying further amendment opportunities and that the magistrate judge did not plainly err in failing to recuse himself.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that a city council member's removal from a municipal board of adjustment did not violate procedural due process. The court held that the plaintiff lacked a constitutionally protected property interest in his board seat because the city retained broad discretion to appoint and remove members.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for three police officers in a civil rights suit following the death of a detainee with sickle cell trait. The court held that while a genuine dispute existed regarding one officer's knowledge, no clearly established law in 2019 required immediate aid for a detainee losing consciousness during transport.
The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court's grant of summary judgment in an Eighth Amendment deliberate-indifference case involving prison violence. The appellate court held that statistical evidence and specific facility conditions created a genuine dispute of material fact regarding a substantial risk of serious harm.
The Third Circuit reversed the dismissal of a cardiologist's defamation and retaliation claims against his university and hospital employers. The court held that the defendants' social media campaign and article retraction may have been motivated by actual malice and that the plaintiff's criticism of racial preferences constituted protected activity.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction in a pro se civil rights appeal brought on behalf of a minor student. The court dismissed the remainder of the appeal for lack of jurisdiction over issues not raised in the notice of appeal or ruled upon by the district court.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of summary judgment against police detectives and a prosecutor in a civil rights suit alleging a reckless investigation and evidence suppression. The court held that genuine disputes of material fact exist regarding whether the defendants violated clearly established law by ignoring exculpatory evidence and coercing witnesses.