Federal Appeals Court Roundup: Civil Rights, Trademarks, and Police Conduct
11 reported
A weekly compendium of rulings from federal courts of appeal, reported by the Institute for Justice, covers a range of cases including civil rights claims, trademark disputes, and police conduct. The First Circuit ruled that Puerto Rico's bankruptcy plan does not bar civil-rights claims against individual police officers. The Second Circuit addressed a fact dispute over an emergency building demolition in Buffalo and noted that FTX CEO SBF is "SOL." The Third Circuit upheld that the Administrative Procedure Act bars Philadelphia's lawsuit over the removal of slavery-related exhibits from a national park. The Fourth Circuit allowed retroactive trademark renewal for Havana Club rum, despite Bacardi's objections. Other circuits ruled on issues such as police misconduct, short-term rental regulations, compassionate release for a paralyzed inmate, and a coroner's retention of skulls as trophies. The Eleventh Circuit allowed a lawsuit to proceed over "keying" in a high school football program and addressed claims against a Miami-Dade officer involving body slams and tasings. The Ninth Circuit will reconsider a First Amendment case involving a Christian ministry's hiring practices. Additionally, Hawaii repealed its requirement for natural hair braiders to obtain a full cosmetology license, marking the end of such requirements nationwide.
What’s reported
The First Circuit ruled that Puerto Rico's bankruptcy plan does not extinguish civil-rights claims against individual police officers.
The Second Circuit found a fact dispute over an emergency building demolition in Buffalo, sending it to a jury.
The Third Circuit barred Philadelphia's lawsuit over removal of slavery exhibits under the APA.
The Fourth Circuit allowed retroactive renewal of the Havana Club rum trademark, despite Bacardi's objections.
The Fifth Circuit upheld a city's denial of short-term rental permits based on neighbor opposition.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of compassionate release for a paralyzed inmate.
The Seventh Circuit ruled that an Illinois county could not be sued over a coroner's retention of skulls because his actions violated state law.
The Eighth Circuit denied qualified immunity to officers who shot a fleeing theft suspect.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that federal efforts in the Klamath River basin must comply with the Endangered Species Act.
The Eleventh Circuit allowed a lawsuit over "keying" in a high school football program to proceed.
Hawaii repealed its requirement for natural hair braiders to obtain a full cosmetology license, the last jurisdiction to do so.
Key figures
Institute for Justice (IJ)
FTX CEO SBF
Bacardi (company)
Fairmount Heights, Md. officer (unnamed)
Kalamazoo, Mich. drug dealer (unnamed)
Illinois county coroner (unnamed)
Jacksonville, Ark. officers (unnamed)
Miami-Dade, Fla. officer (unnamed)
Piedmont High in Alabama (football program)
Sources: reason.com
