Justia Civil Rights Opinion Summaries

The case involves Warren Balogh, who participated in the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The rally, organized to protest the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, quickly turned violent between protesters and counterprotesters. Balogh alleged that the Charlottesville Police, under Chief Al Thomas, and the Virginia State Police, under Lieutenant Becky Crannis-Curl, failed to protect his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by not intervening in the violence and declaring an unlawful assembly, which he claimed amounted to a heckler's veto.The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia dismissed Balogh's complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). The court found that the defendants were entitled to qualified immunity because there was no clearly established right to police intervention to protect First Amendment rights from third-party violence. The court also held that Balogh failed to state a plausible claim for relief under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, noting that the police did not selectively enforce the unlawful assembly order and that Balogh's allegations of intentional discrimination were conclusory.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal. The Fourth Circuit held that the First Amendment does not obligate police to protect protesters' constitutional rights amid violence, explicitly stating that the First Amendment is a shield against invasive speech regulations, not a sword to wield against violent disruptions. The court also found that Balogh's equal protection claim under the Fourteenth Amendment failed because he did not provide sufficient facts to show intentional or purposeful discrimination. Additionally, the court rejected Balogh's Monell claim against the City of Charlottesville, as he did not demonstrate that the City Manager, the final policymaker, had ratified or delegated authority to Chief Thomas. View "Balogh v. Virginia" on Justia Law

Two plaintiffs, Smith-Phifer and Patterson, served with the Charlotte Fire Department for over twenty years and alleged racial discrimination by the department. They filed a lawsuit against the City of Charlotte, claiming violations of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 & 1983, and the North Carolina Constitution. The case was initially brought in state court but was removed to federal court. Smith-Phifer and the City reached a settlement during her trial, while Patterson's case was delayed due to illness and later went to mediation.The United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina granted Smith-Phifer and Patterson’s motions to enforce their settlement agreements. The court found that the City breached the agreements by not treating the settlement payments as pension-eligible wages under the Charlotte Firefighters Retirement Systems Act. The City appealed, arguing that the district court erred in its decision, particularly in not holding an evidentiary hearing for Patterson’s case and in its interpretation of the settlement terms regarding pension eligibility.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case. The court vacated the district court’s order regarding Patterson, stating that an evidentiary hearing was necessary to determine whether a complete settlement agreement was reached. The court found that there were unresolved factual disputes about the terms of the agreement, particularly regarding sick leave and pension eligibility.However, the court affirmed the district court’s decision regarding Smith-Phifer. It held that the City breached the settlement agreement by failing to make the required retirement deduction from the payment to Smith-Phifer. The court concluded that the payment was “Compensation” under the Charlotte Firefighters Retirement Systems Act, which mandated the deduction. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with these findings. View "Smith-Phifer v. City of Charlotte" on Justia Law

Jonathan Eugene Brunson, an inmate in North Carolina, filed a § 1983 action against the North Carolina Attorney General and other state officials, seeking various forms of relief. Brunson acknowledged that he had previously filed four § 1983 suits that were dismissed under Heck v. Humphrey, which bars federal courts from entertaining § 1983 suits for damages that would undermine the legality of a conviction unless the conviction has been invalidated. Despite these dismissals, Brunson moved to proceed in forma pauperis.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina initially granted Brunson’s request to proceed in forma pauperis but later vacated that order, citing the Prison Litigation Reform Act’s (PLRA) three-strikes rule. The district court determined that Brunson’s prior dismissals under Heck counted as strikes for failure to state a claim. Consequently, Brunson prepaid the filing fee, but his § 1983 complaint was eventually dismissed for reasons not relevant to the current appeal. Brunson then appealed and applied to proceed on appeal without prepaying fees, arguing that Heck dismissals should not count as PLRA strikes.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case to determine whether a dismissal under Heck constitutes a strike under the PLRA. The court held that a Heck dismissal is necessarily for failure to state a claim because it denies the existence of a cause of action unless the plaintiff can prove that the conviction or sentence has been invalidated. Therefore, such dismissals count as strikes under the PLRA. As Brunson had at least three prior Heck dismissals, the court denied his motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. View "Brunson v. Stein" on Justia Law

In 1999, a Virginia state court jury convicted Askari Lumumba of second-degree murder and other related charges, sentencing him to fifty-eight years in prison. While serving his sentence, Lumumba engaged in communications that led to disciplinary action. He spoke on the phone about organizing inmates and sent emails discussing potential group actions within the prison. As a result, he was charged with attempting to garner support for a group demonstration, violating Disciplinary Offense Code 128, which prohibits participating in or encouraging work stoppages or group demonstrations.Lumumba's disciplinary hearing concluded with a finding of guilt, resulting in 30 days of disciplinary segregation and a loss of 180 days of good-conduct sentence credits. His appeals to the Warden and Regional Director were denied. He then petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus in the Supreme Court of Virginia, which was denied on jurisdictional grounds. Subsequently, Lumumba filed a federal habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, arguing that Offense Code 128 was void for vagueness and violated the First Amendment. The district court dismissed his petition, finding the regulation clear and reasonably related to legitimate penological interests.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case. The court held that Offense Code 128 is not facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment, as it reasonably relates to maintaining order and security in prisons. The court also found that the regulation is not void for vagueness, as it provides sufficient notice of prohibited conduct and does not invite arbitrary enforcement. Consequently, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Lumumba's petition. View "Lumumba v. Kiser" on Justia Law

Two students receiving special education services filed a class action lawsuit against the Kanawha County Board of Education, alleging that the Board denied them and other similarly situated students a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The lawsuit also claimed violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The district court certified a class of all Kanawha County Schools students with disabilities who need behavior supports and have experienced disciplinary removals from any classroom.The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia granted the plaintiffs' motion to certify the class, reasoning that the plaintiffs had presented expert evidence of disproportionate rates of suspension for students with disabilities and a detailed qualitative analysis of student records. The court found that these factors revealed a cohesive pattern indicating the absence of an effective system for developing and implementing behavioral supports for students with disabilities. The Board appealed, arguing that the certification of the plaintiff class was inconsistent with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23(a) and (b)(2).The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case and reversed the district court’s certification order. The Fourth Circuit held that the certified class failed to satisfy Rule 23(a)(2)’s commonality prerequisite. The court found that the plaintiffs did not identify a common contention central to the validity of all class members’ claims. The court noted that the claims were highly diverse and individualized, involving different practices at different stages of the special education process. The absence of a common contention foreclosed class treatment. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. View "G.T. v. The Board of Education of the County of Kanawha" on Justia Law

Alexis Guerrero, a Black Dominican-American, sued Ollie’s Bargain Outlet under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 for race discrimination. Guerrero alleged that while shopping for flowerpots at an Ollie’s store in Salisbury, Maryland, an employee named Richard Murray threatened him with a knife and shouted racial slurs, preventing him from purchasing the items. Guerrero claimed that this discriminatory conduct interfered with his right to make and enforce contracts.The United States District Court for the District of Maryland granted Ollie’s motion to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). The court reasoned that Guerrero failed to sufficiently allege that he was denied the opportunity to contract for goods or services that was otherwise afforded to white customers. Specifically, the court found that Guerrero did not claim that Ollie’s actually prevented him from purchasing a flowerpot and noted that he voluntarily left the store without attempting to make a purchase.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case de novo. The court concluded that Guerrero sufficiently alleged a contractual interest by demonstrating his intent to purchase the flowerpots and that Murray’s actions, including wielding a knife and shouting racial slurs, interfered with this interest. The court found that Guerrero’s allegations were enough to show that he was denied the opportunity to contract based on his race. Consequently, the Fourth Circuit reversed the district court’s decision and remanded the case for further proceedings. View "Guerrero v. Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Inc." on Justia Law

Detective Frias of the Richmond Police Department observed an Instagram video showing known gang member J.S. and others brandishing firearms at the Belt Atlantic apartment complex. The video, posted shortly before the incident, depicted two men later identified as Anthony Cornelius Brown, Jr., and Dequane Aquil McCullers. Detectives accessed live surveillance footage showing individuals matching the video’s description at the same location. Upon arrival, the officers approached the men, who attempted to walk away. Brown and McCullers were detained and frisked, leading to the discovery of firearms.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia denied Brown and McCullers' motions to suppress the evidence of the firearms. The court found that the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop and frisk the defendants based on the video and their behavior. Brown and McCullers entered conditional guilty pleas, reserving the right to appeal the suppression ruling.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case. The court held that the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop Brown and McCullers based on the Instagram video and their actions upon the officers' arrival. The court also found that the frisk of McCullers was justified as the officers reasonably believed he was armed. Additionally, the court ruled that the length of Brown’s detention was reasonable given the circumstances and the need to ensure officer safety. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of the motions to suppress. View "US v. Brown" on Justia Law

On February 1, 2020, four Pineville Police Department officers responded to a 911 call about a Black man allegedly waving a gun. They found Timothy Caraway walking alone with a cellphone in his hand. The officers, with weapons drawn, commanded Caraway to raise his hands and drop what they thought was a gun. As Caraway reached into his jacket to discard the gun, Officers Adam Roberts and Jamon Griffin fired twelve shots, hitting Caraway four times. Caraway sued the officers and the City of Pineville under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and North Carolina law, alleging excessive force and assault and battery, among other claims.The United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina granted summary judgment to the officers, finding they were entitled to qualified immunity on the Fourth Amendment excessive force claim and public official immunity on the state-law assault and battery claim. The court concluded that the officers' use of deadly force was reasonable because Caraway's gun was pointed at them in the moments before the shooting.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision. The appellate court held that the officers' use of deadly force was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment because Caraway's gun was pointed at the officers, posing an immediate threat. The court also upheld the grant of public official immunity on the state-law claims, finding that the officers acted without malice. The court declined to segment the shooting into different phases, noting the entire sequence lasted only a few seconds. View "Caraway v. City of Pineville" on Justia Law

Sherita Hicks was mistakenly identified and arrested for an assault she did not commit. Detective Gregory Pamer, leading the investigation, showed the victim, Devante Allen, a photo lineup that included Hicks, whom Allen incorrectly identified as the female assailant. Pamer also discovered that a van used in the assault was registered to Hicks and that the attack was retribution for a prior break-in at her home. Despite later receiving exculpatory information implicating another woman, Pamer proceeded with Hicks' arrest. Hicks was jailed for one night before posting bond, and the charges against her were eventually dismissed.Hicks filed a civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against multiple parties, including Pamer and Anne Arundel County, alleging unlawful arrest, detention, and malicious prosecution. The case proceeded to trial against Pamer and the County on claims of malicious prosecution and gross negligence. During the trial, a juror was dismissed for violating court instructions by speaking to Hicks, despite objections from Hicks' counsel. The jury ultimately found in favor of Pamer on all counts, leading Hicks to file a motion for a new trial, which was denied.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case and affirmed the district court's judgment. The appellate court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the juror for good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 47(c). The court also found no reversible error in the jury instructions, which adequately stated the controlling law. The jury's verdict in favor of Pamer on all counts was upheld, and the court did not need to address issues related to punitive damages or the inclusion of the County on the verdict sheet, as there was no underlying liability. View "Hicks v. Anne Arundel County" on Justia Law

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Lee Marvin Harris, Sr.'s home, discovering a significant amount of cocaine in an old Cadillac parked in the yard. Harris, Sr. was arrested for possession with intent to distribute and spent five months in pretrial detention before charges were dismissed. He then sued the Town of Southern Pines and the officers involved, alleging malicious prosecution under the Fourth Amendment and fabrication of evidence under the Fourteenth Amendment, claiming officers omitted material evidence from prosecutors and grand juries.The United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants. The court found that probable cause existed for Harris, Sr.'s arrest based on the discovery of cocaine on his property and dismissed the fabrication of evidence claim, reasoning that such claims are not viable if the plaintiff was not convicted. Harris, Sr. appealed the decision.The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reviewed the case and found genuine disputes of material fact regarding whether Harris, Sr. was arrested and charged without probable cause. The court held that the officers were not entitled to qualified immunity for the Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claim. Additionally, the court determined that a plaintiff who was arrested and detained but not convicted could still state a Fourteenth Amendment fabrication of evidence claim. Consequently, the court reversed the district court's summary judgment on the Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claim, vacated the summary judgment on the Fourteenth Amendment fabrication of evidence claim, and remanded for further proceedings. The court affirmed the district court's summary judgment on the state law malicious prosecution claim, the failure to intervene claim, and the Monell claim against the Town of Southern Pines and the Chief of Police. View "Harris v. Town of Southern Pines" on Justia Law