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Civil

Every decision we've filed under Civil.

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Criminal 1228 Summary Judgment 471 Sentencing Guidelines 419 Civil Rights - Section 1983 399 Immigration (Civil) 358 Constitutional 353 Supervised Release 289 Drug Trafficking 275 Firearms 215 Civil Rights - Employment 205 Intellectual Property 160 Qualified Immunity 153
Mar 16 2026
5th Cir. 24-10860 Panel Decision

Jessica Clouse; Lindsay Heyman; Meghan Klein; Sydney Severson; Rebekah Tate; Marissa Jennings; Lauren Moore; Laura Kade Plaintiffs— v. Southern Methodist University Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of litigation costs to Southern Methodist University, ruling that the university qualified as a prevailing party despite one plaintiff's claims surviving summary judgment. The court held that SMU was entitled to recover fees for deposition videos, transcripts, and copying under 28 U.S.C. § 1920 because these expenses were necessary for trial preparation.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Statute of Limitations Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-02235-RSH-JLB Unpublished

John Henry Yablonsky v. Alford, Teacher; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; et al.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a California state prisoner's pro se lawsuit alleging First Amendment retaliation. The court held that the plaintiff failed to allege sufficient facts to establish a plausible causal connection between his protected conduct and the adverse actions taken against him.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Mar 13 2026
4th Cir. 25-1386 Per Curiam

Living Lands, LLC; D.C. Chapman Ventures, Inc. v. Harold Ward

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a second lawsuit by real estate firms challenging state reclamation activities at a former coal mine. The court held that the doctrine of claim preclusion barred the plaintiffs from relitigating issues arising from the same site and transaction, and that the remaining claim failed to state a valid cause of action under the Clean Water Act.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Res Judicata Standing
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Mar 13 2026
9th Cir. 17-70213 Unpublished

GUSTAVO ANTONIO MARAVILLA- PINEDA v. PAMELA J. BONDI, United States Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration judge's adverse credibility determination, finding that substantial evidence supported the agency's findings of inconsistency in the petitioner's testimony. Because the petitioner's credibility was rejected, the court affirmed the denial of his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 13 2026
4th Cir. 23-6867 Panel Decision

THEODORE JERRY BOLICK v. JOEL ANDERSON

The Fourth Circuit held that genuine issues of material fact exist regarding whether prison officials were deliberately indifferent to a prisoner's serious physical disabilities by denying him out-of-cell exercise. The court affirmed the dismissal of the claim against the Department of Corrections Director but vacated summary judgment for the local officials, remanding the case for trial.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 13 2026
9th Cir. 21-70882 Unpublished

BYRON MALDONADO-RODAS v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied Byron Maldonado-Rodas's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny his applications for withholding of removal and cancellation of removal. The court held that the petitioner forfeited challenges to the nexus determination and that his proposed particular social group was not cognizable.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 13 2026
7th Cir. 25-1523 Panel Decision

FRANK T. WHITEHEAD v. GREGORY PLANTZ and RON WAAS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison guards, ruling that a prisoner's failure to use established religious accommodation procedures precluded a finding of liability for refusing to hire him. The court further held that a guard's offhand comment calling a prisoner a snitch did not violate clearly established First Amendment law, shielding the officer from liability.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Qualified Immunity
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Mar 13 2026
9th Cir.

IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA; ADRIA JAWORT; RACHEL CORCORAN; MONTANA BOOK COMPANY; IMAGINE BREWING COMPANY, LLC; BUMBLEBEE AERIAL FITNESS; WESTERN MONTANA CO...

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s preliminary injunction enjoining state officials from enforcing Montana House Bill 359, which restricted drag story hours and sexually oriented performances in state-funded facilities. The court held that plaintiffs had…

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Mar 13 2026
7th Cir. 25-1004 Panel Decision

JOHN PETERSON v. DOUGLAS A. COLLINS, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Dr. Peterson's appeal regarding his removal from the Veterans Administration, holding that the agency's procedures were not arbitrary or capricious. The court found that Peterson received adequate due process, including advance notice and multiple opportunities to be heard, despite delays caused by the pandemic.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Summary Judgment
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