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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit Against Texas DFPS

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit filed by Gabryelle Daniels against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and multiple individual defendants. The pro se plaintiff challenged the sua sponte dismissal under federal screening authority.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed district court's sua sponte dismissal of § 1983 civil rights lawsuit

•Claims against Texas DFPS dismissed with prejudice based on sovereign immunity

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of lawsuit against Estherville police officers

State Court

2w ago•2 min read

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit Against Estherville Police Officers

The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a Court of Appeals decision that upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against Estherville Police Department officers and the city. Ten plaintiffs had sued officers Benjamin Scheevel and Chief Brent Shatto, along with the City of Estherville, over alleged misuse of confidential criminal history data, but the case was dismissed on statute of limitations grounds.

•Ten plaintiffs' claims over alleged improper access to confidential criminal data were barred by statute of limitations

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms Medical School Dismissal in Civil Rights Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling in favor of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in a civil rights lawsuit filed by dismissed medical student Al Gilani. The appeals court upheld the dismissal of Gilani's claims under Section 1983 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of civil rights lawsuit by former UT Southwestern medical student Al Gilani

•Gilani claimed his academic dismissal violated Title VI and Fourteenth Amendment due process rights

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Reviews Kansas Highway Patrol Traffic Stop Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit heard arguments in a civil rights case challenging Kansas Highway Patrol traffic stop practices. Five plaintiffs sued Superintendent Erik Smith in his official capacity, with prominent constitutional law scholars filing amicus briefs.

•Five plaintiffs sued Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Erik Smith over traffic stop practices

•Prominent constitutional law scholars filed amicus brief supporting the civil rights claims

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Reverses Qualified Immunity for Monroe County Deputies

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on an excessive force case involving Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, reversing a district court's qualified immunity determination after a jury found officers used excessive force during a 2018 arrest.

•Second Circuit reviewed qualified immunity determination after jury found excessive force by two Monroe County Sheriff's deputies

•Case stems from February 2018 arrest where officers used fist strikes, pepper spray, and taser on Christopher Matusak

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms SC Juvenile Justice System in Civil Rights Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in a civil rights lawsuit brought by the NAACP, Disability Rights South Carolina, and Justice 360. The January 29, 2026 decision represents a significant setback for advocates seeking reforms to the state's juvenile justice system.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice

•Civil rights organizations including NAACP challenged juvenile justice practices on constitutional grounds

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•5 min read

Sixth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Delta Air Lines in Race Bias Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has upheld a district court's summary judgment in favor of Delta Air Lines and two employees in a race discrimination lawsuit filed by former flight attendant Jacqueline Meadows under Title VII and Michigan civil rights law.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for Delta Air Lines in race discrimination case

•Former flight attendant Jacqueline Meadows alleged discrimination under Title VII and Michigan civil rights law

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Ruling Against Former Montgomery County Employee

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling in favor of Montgomery County Public Schools in an employment dispute with former employee Kimberly Ann Polk. The published decision issued January 28, 2026, upheld dismissal of claims against the school system and board members.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of employment lawsuit against Montgomery County Public Schools

•Case involved former employee Kimberly Ann Polk suing school system and eight board members in individual and official capacities

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

11th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment Against Legally Blind Inmate's ADA Claims

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling against Kevin Lewis, a legally blind plaintiff who sued Georgia county sheriffs for allegedly denying disability accommodations during his jail detention.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment against legally blind inmate Kevin Lewis who sued Georgia county sheriffs for ADA violations

•Lewis was denied accommodations for reading documents, navigation, and accessing jail services during detentions lasting less than 48 hours and 16 days