Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Procedure, Sec. 1983

U.S. Supreme Court holds PLRA does not have a “special circumstance” exception, but does require analysis of “available” administrative procedures for relief

Ross v Blake 15-339  (U.S. June 6, 2016) Slip Opinion This is a §1983 excessive force case, but its main focus is on the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) compliance. While transporting an inmate (Blake) to a segregation unit, a prison guard
Read More

Declaratory Judgments, Employment Law, Injunction, Ultra Vires

Chapter 614 written notice to police officer unnecessary when actions personally observed by chief of police says 1st District Court of Appeals

Peter J. Paske, Jr. v. Joel Fitzgerald, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Chief of Police of City of Missouri City, and the City of Missouri City, Texas 01-15-00631-CV (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.], June 23,2016) This is a police officer
Read More

Litigation, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Fort Worth Court of Appeals holds each defendant, including independent contractors, separately liable for TTCA statutory caps even for single injury

Michelle Rodriguez v Fort Worth Transportation Authority, et al. 02-14-00340-CV (Tex. App.- Fort Worth, June 24th 2016) This is a Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”) case where a plaintiff in a wrongful death case sued multiple entities trying to exceed the TTCA’s
Read More

Constitutional Challenge, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sec. 1983

Suspect unable to dispute officer’s evidence suspect reached towards waistband and perceived weapon so officer is entitled to immunity

 Salazar-Limon v. City of Houston 15-20237 (5th Cir. June 15th  2016) This is a §1983 excessive force case where the U.S. 5th Circuit affirmed the granting of an officer’s qualified immunity. Salazar was driving with three other men in his truck and
Read More

Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Land Use, Separation of Powers, Sign Regulation, Ultra Vires

City’s billboard registration fee determined to be unconstitutional tax

Reagan National Advertising of Austin, Inc. d/b/a Reagan National Advertising v. City of Austin, Texas; and Marc A. Ott, being sued in his Official Capacity 03-15-00370-CV (Tex. App.- Austin, June 15, 2016) This is a case to determine whether a billboard registration
Read More