Verdict . News

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit Against Revere Police

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a district court's dismissal of civil rights and tort claims brought by Sharon Radfar against Revere, Massachusetts police officials, including a sergeant who was her former romantic partner.

•First Circuit affirmed district court's dismissal of all claims against Revere police officials for failure to state a claim

•Case involved civil rights and tort claims against former romantic partner who was a police sergeant

Regulatory

•Federal judge dismissed lawsuit against Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz after plaintiffs' strategic motion

Federal Judge Dismisses Chicago Immigration Enforcement Lawsuit

A federal judge in Chicago dismissed a lawsuit filed by protesters, religious leaders, and journalists against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation known as 'Operation Midway Blitz.' The dismissal follows a strategic move by plaintiffs' attorneys after the Seventh Circuit stayed their preliminary injunction.

•Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals had previously stayed preliminary injunction, calling it overbroad

State Court

•Gregory Dobbins filed for certificate of innocence after his drug conviction was vacated due to fabricated evidence by corrupt Chicago police sergeant Ronald Watts

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Posthumous Certificate of Innocence Petition

The Illinois Supreme Court addressed whether a certificate of innocence petition can proceed after the petitioner's death in *People v. Dobbins*, involving a man whose drug conviction was vacated due to fabricated evidence by corrupt Chicago police. Gregory Dobbins died two weeks before his scheduled hearing, leaving his family to fight for the innocence certificate.

•Dobbins died two weeks before his hearing, prompting his partner to seek substitution to continue the case on behalf of his estate

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Decision in Tennessee Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in *Alford v. Deffendoll*, a civil rights case involving Cannon County sheriff's deputies and a traffic stop that escalated beyond minor violations. The court designated the January 23, 2026 ruling for publication, indicating its precedential value for future cases.

•Sixth Circuit designated the decision for publication, indicating precedential legal significance

•Case involves civil rights claims against Cannon County deputies following traffic stop

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•5 min read

6th Circuit Reverses, Grants Officer Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a district court decision and granted qualified immunity to Officer Nicholas Rubenstahl, who was accused of using excessive force while executing an arrest warrant against Rebecca Lucas in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

•Sixth Circuit reversed district court denial of qualified immunity for Officer Rubenstahl

•Case involved excessive force allegations during arrest warrant execution for criminal mischief

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms Deputy's Taser Use on Schizophrenic Inmate

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for a Kentucky jail deputy who used a taser on an inmate with paranoid schizophrenia. The court ruled the force was not excessive under Section 1983.

•Joshua Elswick, who has paranoid schizophrenia and was high on methamphetamines, fought with jail deputies after arrest

•Deputy Ryan Derrough used a low-level shock device on Elswick during the altercation

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

10th Circuit Reviews Wrongful Conviction Case of Exonerated Kansas Man

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a civil rights lawsuit filed by the estate of Olin Coones, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 12 years in prison before being exonerated. Coones died shortly after his release, and his widow is pursuing claims against Wyandotte County officials.

•Olin Coones was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2009 and spent 12 years in prison before exoneration

•Evidence later showed the actual victim had committed the crimes and framed Coones

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

9th Circuit Affirms Jury Verdict for Graham County Sheriff in Custody Death Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred not liable for the death of Jorden Simms, who died after jumping from a moving transport vehicle while in county custody. The appeals court rejected arguments that jury instructions were confusing regarding multiple defendants.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff not liable for custody death

•Jorden Simms died after jumping from moving transport vehicle while in county custody

•Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration on January 20, 2026

State Court

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Dismisses Police Lawsuit Appeal by Samuel Carter

The Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration in his lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department and multiple officers. The court ruled that its December 2025 decision rejecting Carter's certiorari petition is final and cannot be reconsidered under state appellate rules.

•Court ruled its December 2025 certiorari rejection is final under appellate rules