Custis v. Accomack County Sheriff's Office - Civil Rights Appeal

4th Circuit Daily Opinions

Filed March 3rd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's failure to comply with the court's order to file a particularized complaint. The court found no reversible error in the district court's ruling.

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What changed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the district court's dismissal of William Parke Custis's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit against the Accomack County Sheriff's Office and various officials. The dismissal, docketed as No. 3:24-cv-00141-DJN-MRC, was based on the plaintiff's failure to file a particularized complaint as ordered by the court. The appellate court reviewed the record and found no reversible error in the district court's decision.

This unpublished opinion means that while the case is resolved, it does not set binding precedent for future cases in the Fourth Circuit. For regulated entities, this serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to court orders regarding complaint specificity. Failure to comply with such orders can lead to dismissal of legal actions, as demonstrated in this case. No specific compliance deadlines or penalties are noted beyond the dismissal of the lawsuit itself.

What to do next

Review court orders for specificity requirements in filings
Ensure all court-ordered filings are submitted accurately and on time

Source document (simplified)

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF AP PEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 25 - 6273 WILLIAM PARKE CU STIS, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. ACCOMACK COU NTY SHERIFF ’ S OFFICE; WAYNE GR EER, Lt. ACSO; DONNIE WILLIAMS, Sgt. ACSO; KING, Sgt. ACSO; AMBER MARTIN, Cpl. ACSO; JOHN DOE, Administrator AC JDR Court Services; ROLAND C. LEIGHTON, AC JDR Co urt Clerk; BRANDI E KUNTZ, JDR Deput y Clerk; BRENDA DIZE, JDR Deputy Clerk; KELSEY WILLIAMS, JDR Deputy Clerk; ACCOMACK COU NTY JUVENIL E AND DOMESTIC R ELATIONS COUR T SERVICES UNIT; AC COMACK COUNTY JDR CLE RK ’ S OFFICE, Defendants - Appellees. Appeal from the United S tates District Court for the Eastern D istrict of Virginia, at Richmond. David J. Novak, District Judge. (3:24 - cv - 00141 - DJN -MRC) Submitted: February 26, 202 6 Decided: March 3, 2026 Before NIEMEYER and QU ATTLEBAUM, Circuit Judges, and FLOYD, Senior Circuit Judge. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. William Parke Custis, Appellant Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding p recedent in this circuit.

2 PER CURIAM: William Parke Custis appeals the district court ’ s ord er dismissing without prejudice his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action for failing to comply with the court ’ s order to file a particularized complaint. We have review ed the record and d iscern no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the district court ’ s order. Custis v. Accomack Cnty. Sheriff ’ s Off., No. 3:24 - cv - 001 41 - DJN -MRC (E.D. Va. Mar. 19, 2 025). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the d ecisional process. AFFIRMED