The Latest Breaking News from Ninth Circuit

The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process, and the rule of law.

A big problem in a small section, but one that can be corrected.

Prosecutor-induced perjury, a satirical arrest (and prosecution), and an unraised winning argument.

On April 28, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued decisions in three cases we’re tracking related to public-sector union policy. In each case, the judges upheld the decision of the district court. 

Neighbors from hell, unvaccinated prison staff, and unconscionable sentences.

From a preliminary injunction decision by Judge Richard Jones (W.D. Wash.) in Sullivan v. Univ. of Washington (with PETA as intervenors; earlier coverage here): The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ("IACUC") at the University of Washington monitors animal research conducted at the university. The committee "approves and monitors all…

Flea collars, bachelors, and data scraping.

The Supreme Court has consistently banned school-sponsored prayer in public K-12 schools, whether at the start of the school day, during graduation ceremonies or before football games. Under the Equal Access Act, the Supreme Court has affirmed that students may organize prayer and Bible study clubs during non-instructional hours. Even…

From Thompson v. Central Valley School Dist. No. 365, decided a month ago by Chief Judge Stanley Bastian (E.D. Wash.) (now on appeal to the Ninth Circuit): "[W]e … live in a time when a careless comment can ruin reputations and crater careers that have been built over a lifetime…