Note: Included cases are from June 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.
Civil Rights: Cope v. Coleman Cnty., No. 23-10414, 2024 WL 3177781 (5th Cir. June 26, 2024). Cope sued Coleman County and three jail guards under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 after her son, Monroe, committed suicide using a telephone cord while confined in the county jail. The trial court found that the guards were entitled to qualified immunity, and Cope’s claim proceeded against the county. The county filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that because the guards were entitled to qualified immunity, the county was not liable for their actions.
The appellate court affirmed in part and vacated and remanded in part, holding that: (1) Cope had raised a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether the conditions of Monroe’s confinement violated Monroe’s civil rights and caused his death; and (2) because the guards were entitled to qualified immunity, the county was not liable for their actions.
Civil Rights: Hall v. Trochessett, 105 F.4th 335 (5th Cir. 2024). Trochessett, a police officer for the City of League City, filed criminal charges against Hall after Hall advised Hall’s wife over the telephone not to provide Trochessett with her driver’s license and insurance information during Trochessett’s investigation of a car wreck. Hall was arrested for interference with a police investigation, and his charges were subsequently dropped. Hall sued Trochessett and the City of League City under 42 U.S.C. §1983, alleging Trochessett had arrested him without probable cause. The trial court granted Trochessett’s and the city’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and Hall appealed.
The appellate court affirmed, holding that Trochessett had qualified immunity and that because Hall’s civil rights had not been violated, there was no municipal liability.