In Gonzalez v. City of Phoenix, published January 8, 2026, a divided panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court decision denying summary judgment to the defendant officers on the grounds of qualified immunity. The plaintiffs’ decedent was acting erratically. When two officers chased him on foot, the decedent ran into…
In Case v. Montana, published January 14, 2026, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Montana State Supreme Court. The defendant, the inhabitant of a house, called his ex-girlfriend threatening to commit suicide. When she said she would call the police, he responded that he would shoot them too. Sounds she heard…
In Thompson v. CVSD No 365, published December 29, 2025, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the defendant school district and administrators. The plaintiff was a middle school assistant principal. He posted a comment on Facebook, shared with his Facebook “friends” only, about the Democratic National Convention that used epithets, slurs,…
In Make UC a Good Neighbor v. Regents of University of California, published December 19, 2025, the 1st District Court of Appeal, Division 5 affirmed a trial court order denying the plaintiffs’ attorney fee motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 1102.5. The plaintiffs petitioned for a writ challenging the defendant’s Environmental Impact Report under…
In Weldeyohannes v. State of Washington, published December 19, 2025, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment granted to the state and prison officials. The plaintiff inmate had a documented history of medical accommodation, including use of a wheelchair because of his mobility problems. Medical providers assign inmates transportation codes, ranging from T-1…
In Human Rights Defense Center v. Uttecht, published December 11, 2025, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded summary judgment for the defendants. The plaintiff publisher publishes a habeas corpus guide that it distributes to prisoners. The guide contains sample pleadings with party names redacted. The state department…
In Romero v. County of Kern, published December 15, 2025, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed judgment on the pleadings granted to the defendant county. The plaintiff, a captain in the county fire department complained to the battalion chief and the deputy chief that the fire extinguishers on the county’s fire engines were being…
In Rancho Cucamonga v. Superior Court (Flowers), ordered published December 3, 2025, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 2 issued a writ reversing a trial court’s denial of summary adjudication of a cause of action. The plaintiff alleged that when he was a minor the director of his school’s childcare program sexually abused him.…
In Black v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, published December 2, 2025, the appellate court reversed a dismissal after demurrer. The plaintiff sued Public Transportation Services Corporation alleging wrongful termination in violation of public policy and violation of Labor Code section 970. The corporation moved for judgment on the pleadings on the ground the…
In Agustin v. Golden Empire Transit District, ordered published November 26, 2025, the Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment for the defendant district. The plaintiff fell over while standing up in a moving bus. The footage taken by the video system on the bus showed that the plaintiff had a plastic bag in…