First Amendment Legal News

9th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity for Washington Health Officials

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials accused of terminating an employee in retaliation for protected First Amendment speech. The ruling allows Erika Henry's federal civil rights lawsuit to proceed against officials Umair Shah, Jessica Todorovich, and Roy Calica.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds Conviction for Threats Against Chicago Abortion Clinic

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the conviction of Farhan Sheikh, a college student who threatened to kill doctors, patients, and visitors at a Chicago abortion clinic via social media. Sheikh's constitutional challenges to federal threat statutes and procedural arguments were rejected by the three-judge panel.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 14, 2026•5 min read

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Housing Officer's Civil Rights Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's complete dismissal of William Shelton's lawsuit against the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. The appeals court upheld the dismissal of Shelton's First Amendment claims as untimely filed and affirmed summary judgment in favor of CMHA on his Title VII discrimination claims.

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State Court

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Reverses Witness Intimidation Convictions

The Wyoming Supreme Court reversed two witness intimidation convictions against Steve Brandon Brown on January 13, 2026, ruling that the state failed to present sufficient evidence to support the charges. Brown had been convicted for statements made during a supervised visit with his daughters and a Facebook post.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reverses Student Reinstatement in Anti-Semitic Posts Case

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court order that required the University of Florida to reinstate law student Preston Damsky, who was expelled for anti-Semitic social media posts including one stating "Jews must be abolished by any means necessary." The appeals court found the university likely to succeed in defending the expulsion.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Vacates Al-Timimi Conviction on First Amendment Grounds

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Ali Al-Timimi's conviction, ruling that the government violated First Amendment protections by criminalizing speech that did not constitute incitement or criminal solicitation. The court held that inflammatory speech alone cannot justify criminal punishment without meeting narrow constitutional exceptions.

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State Court

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Ruling in Medical Billing Case

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a district court decision involving Ridgeline Medical, LLC's collection action against David Lyon, with the case centering on a constitutional challenge to the Idaho Patient Act.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Issues Decision in NMSU Professor Termination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an order and judgment in Roemer v. Board of Regents of New Mexico State University, involving a tenured professor's termination and constitutional rights claims. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression participated as amicus curiae, indicating significant First Amendment implications.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Backs Religious Mission Against Washington Bias Laws

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a preliminary injunction protecting Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington from enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws. The court held that the faith-based organization can require employees to adhere to Christian beliefs in non-ministerial positions.

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Federal Circuit

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews Missouri Sex Offender Halloween Sign Law After District Court Ban

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court ruling that permanently enjoined enforcement of a Missouri law requiring registered sex offenders to post Halloween signs. Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged the statute on First Amendment grounds.

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First Amendment

9th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity for Washington Health Officials

7th Circuit Upholds Conviction for Threats Against Chicago Abortion Clinic

6th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Housing Officer's Civil Rights Claims

Wyoming Supreme Court Reverses Witness Intimidation Convictions

11th Circuit Reverses Student Reinstatement in Anti-Semitic Posts Case

4th Circuit Vacates Al-Timimi Conviction on First Amendment Grounds

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Ruling in Medical Billing Case

10th Circuit Issues Decision in NMSU Professor Termination Case

9th Circuit Backs Religious Mission Against Washington Bias Laws

8th Circuit Reviews Missouri Sex Offender Halloween Sign Law After District Court Ban

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