First Amendment Legal News

8th Circuit Vacates Immunity Ruling in St. Louis Homeless Encampment Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated a district court's qualified and official immunity ruling involving former St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Human Services Director Dr. Yusef Scoggin. The appellate court remanded the case for further analysis of immunity claims in a lawsuit brought by homeless advocate Yitzchak Simon.

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State Court

1w ago•5 min read

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements

The Alaska Supreme Court issued a decision February 13, 2026, in a case involving the Alaska Policy Forum's challenge to state campaign finance disclosure requirements enforced by the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The case centered on ballot proposition expenditure reporting and advertisement disclosure rules.

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Federal Circuit

2w ago•4 min read

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal of 3D Gun Code Free Speech Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit challenging New Jersey's restrictions on distributing computer files for 3D-printed firearms. Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation argued the restrictions violated their First Amendment rights, but the court ruled they failed to establish the code qualifies for constitutional protection.

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Federal Circuit

2w ago•5 min read

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reverses District Court, Orders Idaho Book Ban Injunction

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal district court and ordered a preliminary injunction against Idaho's Children's School and Library Protection Act. The appeals court found the law, which restricts books deemed harmful to minors in schools and libraries, likely violates First Amendment protections against overbroad censorship.

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Federal Circuit

2w ago•4 min read

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds Denial of Injunction Against Minnesota Deepfake Law

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction against Minnesota's deepfake election law. The court ruled that plaintiffs Christopher Kohls and Mary Franson unreasonably delayed in seeking relief against the statute regulating AI-generated content in elections.

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Supreme Court

2w ago•4 min read

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Increasingly Relies on Academic Briefs in Major Decisions

New research reveals Supreme Court justices are turning more frequently to scholarly briefs for constitutional interpretation, with the landmark Dobbs decision citing six different academic briefs. The study analyzed over 2,300 scholars and 103 academic briefs from 2015-2025.

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Supreme Court

2w ago•5 min read

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Denies GOP Challenge to California's New Electoral Map

The Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request from California Republicans to block the state from using its newly drawn electoral map in upcoming elections. The denial came without any public dissents from the justices.

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Federal Circuit

3w ago•4 min read

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Vacates Denial of Buddhist Prisoner's Halal Diet Claim

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction for California prisoner Maurice Lydell Harris, a Nichiren Buddhist who sought access to a halal diet as a religious accommodation. The appeals court remanded the case, finding the lower court improperly questioned the content and centrality of Harris's religious beliefs.

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Federal Circuit

3w ago•4 min read

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Backs Buddhist Prisoner's Religious Diet Rights

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court's decision and ruled that California state prisoner Maurice Lydell Harris, a Nichiren Buddhist, should be allowed a halal diet that aligns with his sincere religious beliefs. The court found the district court erroneously questioned the content and centrality of Harris's religious beliefs.

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Federal Circuit

3w ago•4 min read

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

DC Circuit Affirms Partial Sealing of DOJ Digital Surveillance Orders

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision to keep portions of Justice Department applications for non-disclosure orders under the Stored Communications Act sealed, rejecting arguments from Empower Oversight Whistleblowers & Research that the public has a First Amendment right to access these surveillance records.

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First Amendment

8th Circuit Vacates Immunity Ruling in St. Louis Homeless Encampment Case

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal of 3D Gun Code Free Speech Case

9th Circuit Reverses District Court, Orders Idaho Book Ban Injunction

8th Circuit Upholds Denial of Injunction Against Minnesota Deepfake Law

Supreme Court Increasingly Relies on Academic Briefs in Major Decisions

Supreme Court Denies GOP Challenge to California's New Electoral Map

9th Circuit Vacates Denial of Buddhist Prisoner's Halal Diet Claim

9th Circuit Backs Buddhist Prisoner's Religious Diet Rights

DC Circuit Affirms Partial Sealing of DOJ Digital Surveillance Orders

9th Circuit Denies Stay of School Mental Health Grant Injunction

Federal Trial Tests Trump's Antifa Terror Designation in Texas ICE Case

D.C. Circuit Signals Skepticism of Trump's CFPB Shutdown Plan

Property Owners Challenge Florida Beach Access Law in 11th Circuit Appeal

Ex-Homeless Services CEO Delays Arraignment on $1.2M Fraud Charges

9th Circuit Denies Stay of School Mental Health Grant Injunction

Federal Trial Tests Trump's Antifa Terror Designation in Texas ICE Case

D.C. Circuit Signals Skepticism of Trump's CFPB Shutdown Plan

Property Owners Challenge Florida Beach Access Law in 11th Circuit Appeal

Ex-Homeless Services CEO Delays Arraignment on $1.2M Fraud Charges