Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 24-1100 Panel Decision

JOHNNIE E. RUSSELL v. RYAN COMSTOCK, COLIN POWELL, and DAVE WOHLGEMUTH

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a police officer who conducted a warrantless search of an apartment following a stabbing. The court held that the officer was entitled to qualified immunity because it was not clearly established law that such a search violated the Fourth Amendment under the emergency aid exception.

Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 24-3158 Panel Decision

ROBERT HALL v. AMY WYKES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials, ruling that the evidence did not establish deliberate indifference to unsanitary cell conditions or retaliation for grievances. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove officials had actual knowledge of a serious health risk or that adverse actions were motivated by his protected speech.

Feb 24 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1744 Panel Decision

Yong Chul Son v. Thomas G. Lynch, Deceased; Andrew S. Strauss; Michael Skinder; Publisher of New Jersey Lawyers Diary and Manual

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Yong Chul Son's federal claims, ruling that they were barred by the two-year statute of limitations. The court held that the alleged events occurred years before the complaint was filed and that no grounds existed to equitably toll the deadline.

Feb 19 2026
7th Cir. 25-1887 Panel Decision

MARKUS EVANS v. ANTHONY MATUSHAK

The Seventh Circuit vacated the dismissal of a prisoner's due process claim, ruling that lengthy disciplinary segregation may implicate a protected liberty interest requiring factual scrutiny. The court further held that allegations of a hearing officer predetermining guilt and directing false evidence are sufficient to state a constitutional violation.

Feb 18 2026
7th Cir. 24-1733 Panel Decision

MARLEIS TROVER, as Personal Representative of the Estate of DONALD D. GADDIS v. CRAIG OGLESBY and DUSTIN KELLEY

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers in a civil rights suit involving an inventory search of a trespasser's vehicle. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove the officers' conduct was clearly established as unlawful and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing an adverse inference instruction for missing dashcam footage.

Feb 18 2026
7th Cir. 25-2508 Panel Decision

WESLEY C. TAYLOR v. DIANE COWGER

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a § 1983 lawsuit challenging a state family court order, holding that federal courts lack jurisdiction to review or alter such orders under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine and the domestic-relations exception. The appellate court modified the judgment to clarify that claims dismissed on jurisdictional grounds should be dismissed without prejudice, while claims dismissed on immunity or pleading deficiencies remain with prejudice.

Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2774 Panel Decision

EDWARD L. ASH v. CITY OF AURORA

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Aurora and its officers, ruling that the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claims were either time-barred or defeated by the existence of probable cause. The court held that a state judge's finding of probable cause to charge the plaintiff with a weapon offense provided an absolute defense to his civil rights lawsuit, regardless of his subsequent acquittal.