9th Circuit Opinions

L.B. v. San Diego Unified School District - IDEA Reimbursement

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's decision, ruling that a student may be entitled to reimbursement for private special education expenses under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The court found that the school district's duty to offer a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) was not contingent on parents specifically requesting an 'IEP document' versus an 'IEP meeting'. The case is remanded for further proceedings.

AFGE v. Trump - Labor Law

The Ninth Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction in AFGE v. Trump, concerning labor relations for federal employees. The court found the injunction was improperly granted, impacting the application of executive orders related to federal worker unions.

Tamara Motley Medicare Fraud Conviction Vacated on Identity Theft

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a portion of Tamara Motley's sentence for aggravated identity theft related to Medicare fraud. The court cited the Supreme Court's decision in Dubin v. United States, which narrowed the scope of the identity theft statute. The case is remanded for resentencing.

United States v. Castro Alavez - Conviction Affirmed in Part, Vacated in Part

The Ninth Circuit affirmed in part and vacated in part the conviction and sentence of Luis Miguel Castro Alavez. The court agreed that the jury instruction regarding knowledge of drug type and quantity was erroneous and not harmless for the attempted possession charge, vacating the sentence for that count.

Ratha v. Rubicon Resources LLC - Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act Retroactivity

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's denial of a motion for relief from summary judgment in a human trafficking case. The court held that an amendment to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, clarifying civil liability for attempted benefit from human trafficking, has retroactive effect.

Rojas-Espinoza v. Bondi - Rehearing En Banc Ordered

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a rehearing en banc for the case Rojas-Espinoza v. Bondi. This action vacates the previous panel's order and indicates a significant reconsideration of the case's legal issues. The court's decision to rehear the case en banc suggests potential implications for immigration law and appellate procedure.

USA v. Alex Ruiz - Criminal Conviction Affirmed

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Alex Ruiz's conviction for transporting illegal aliens. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of a prior conviction for the same crime under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) and that Ruiz's constitutional arguments were forfeited.

Ninth Circuit Vacates Submission, Orders Supplemental Briefs on Rule Consistency

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated its submission in Garcia Morales v. Bondi, ordering parties to file supplemental briefs by March 13, 2026. The briefs must address the consistency of the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule with the Immigration and Nationality Act. Amici curiae are also invited to submit briefs.

USA v. Ho-Romero - Criminal Case Sentencing Vacated

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the sentence of David Ho-Romero and remanded for resentencing. The court found that the district court erred by applying an obstruction of justice enhancement without making a finding of intent. The case involved a guilty plea to methamphetamine importation.

Ninth Circuit Grants Motion to Dismiss Trump Appeals

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion to dismiss consolidated appeals filed by Donald J. Trump and other federal officials. The court dismissed the appeals, with each party bearing its own costs, and denied a prior motion to dismiss as moot.