by David Reutter
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed a grant of summary judgment while a dispositive spoliation of evidence motion was pending. The spoliation motion sought sanctions for the failure to produce video of the incident at issue.
While imprisoned in July …
by David Reutter
For prisoners, having access to electronic technology is a privilege that helps make doing time an easier task. The ability to listen to one’s favorite music, watch a movie on demand or to play a game helps reduce the drudgery of just lying or sitting …
by David Reutter
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the denial of qualified immunity (QI) to guards for the pepper ball spraying of a pretrial detainee. The Court affirmed denial of QI to guards on the detainee’s remaining excessive force claims.
Bradley Bolin …
by David Reutter
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a grant of summary judgment in a prisoner’s civil rights action alleging strip searches he was subjected to had infringed upon his constitutional rights. The Court held that it was not clearly established that prison …
by David Reutter
On March 4, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that a prisoner’s religious rights claims were not moot because the prisoner transferred to another prison but was subjected to nearly the same restrictions at the new prison. The Court …
by David Reutter
On April 16, 2026, the Michigan Court of Appeals found a trial court abused its discretion by ordering that a prosecution witness appear before a jury wearing jail clothes. The Court concluded that the principle of creditability fairness that applies to a defendant also applies …
by David Reutter
On March 26, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of qualified immunity under Michigan law in a gross negligence claim related to a scabies infestation at a women’s prison. The Court also affirmed the grant of qualified …
by David Reutter
On March 13, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit found material issues of disputed facts were present in a South Carolina prisoner’s Eighth Amendment claim that alleged the disabled prisoner was confined to a cell and denied out-of-cell exercise time. The …
by David Reutter
On July 29, 2025, the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington, Division II, affirmed the conviction of a guard who conspired to be shot. The Court rejected the guard’s defense that because he was the victim of an assault and drive-by shooting he …
by David Reutter
On July 23, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed dismissal of a pretrial detainee’s civil rights complaint that alleged he was served “rotten and unsafe food” and denied the ability to engage in Jum’ah (Friday prayer). The matter was remanded …
