In Gun Owners of America, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, No. 24-1881 (6th Cir. Oct. 30, 2025), the Sixth Circuit holds that the possibility that a new U.S. Administration in 2029 might not be a sympathetic to gun rights as the current one did not warrant an exception to mootness in a challenge toContinue reading “The Prospect of a New, Future Administration in the White House Does Not Rescue a Gun-Rights Case from Mootness, Holds Sixth Circuit”
Tag Archives: Mootness
“Boilerplate” Prayer in Complaint for “Just and Proper” Relief Did Not Rescue a Declaratory Judgment Action from Mootness, Holds the Eleventh Circuit
In Warren v. DeSantis, No. 23-10459 (11th Cir. Jan. 10, 2025) (per curiam), the Eleventh Circuit dismisses on mootness grounds a declaratory action by a Florida officeholder seeking to be reinstated as a state attorney, because plaintiff’s term of office expired during the pendency of the case. It rejects plaintiff’s argument that a prayer forContinue reading ““Boilerplate” Prayer in Complaint for “Just and Proper” Relief Did Not Rescue a Declaratory Judgment Action from Mootness, Holds the Eleventh Circuit”
Grant of Preliminary Injunction by One Judge in the District Moots Appeal of Denial of Preliminary Injuction by Another Judge, Holds Tenth Circuit
In We the Patriots, et al. v. Grisham, No. 23-2066 (10th Cir. Oct. 28, 2024), the Tenth Circuit dismisses an appeal of the denial of preliminary injunction where, in a different case in the same district, another judge granted the same relief. This is important for cases governed by “prevailing party” fee-shifting statutes, because ifContinue reading “Grant of Preliminary Injunction by One Judge in the District Moots Appeal of Denial of Preliminary Injuction by Another Judge, Holds Tenth Circuit”
No Championship Season for Sectarian Football Team Seeking Injunction to Commandeer the PA System for Prayer, Holds Eleventh Circuit
In Cambridge Christian School, Inc. v. Florida High School Athletic Association, Inc., 22-11222 (11th Cir. Sept. 3, 2024), a Free Exercise case brought on behalf of a Christian-school football team, the panel holds that the plaintiff had no standing for declaratory or injunctive relief to use the stadium public-address system for group prayer, where itContinue reading “No Championship Season for Sectarian Football Team Seeking Injunction to Commandeer the PA System for Prayer, Holds Eleventh Circuit”
Ninth Circuit Holds That Mootness is Discretionary, Rather Than Jurisdictional, Doctrine After the Court of Appeals Has Rendered Its Decision
In United States v. Perez-Garcia, No. 22-50314 (9th Cir. Mar. 18, 2024), the Ninth Circuit holds that once it has already announced a decision, any arguments thereafter regarding mootness are discretionary rather than jurisdictional, subject to “equitable and pragmatic considerations.” During a criminal proceeding below, two defendants – as a condition of pretrial release –Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Holds That Mootness is Discretionary, Rather Than Jurisdictional, Doctrine After the Court of Appeals Has Rendered Its Decision”
Appeal Became Moot While Counsel Sought Multiple Briefing Extensions, Holds Sixth Circuit
In Marketing Displays Int’l v. Shaw, No. 23-1028 (6th Cir. Feb. 22, 2024), the Sixth Circuit dryly notes that counsel who were appealing a preliminary injunction allowed it to become moot, in part because they obtained multiple extensions on their briefing schedule. “In life, sometimes it’s better to show up late than not at all.Continue reading “Appeal Became Moot While Counsel Sought Multiple Briefing Extensions, Holds Sixth Circuit”
After the Parties Settle All Claims, An Appeal From the Final Judgment Is Moot, Holds Eighth Circuit
In Folta v. Norfork Brewing Co., No. 22-3518 (8th Cir. Dec. 22, 2023), the Eighth Circuit dismisses an appeal from a case where all the claims settled, despite the defendant’s argument that it reserved the right to appeal in the settlement. “Norfork operates a small brewery in Arkansas. Folta was employed there from approximately MayContinue reading “After the Parties Settle All Claims, An Appeal From the Final Judgment Is Moot, Holds Eighth Circuit”
Fifth Circuit Panel Splits Three Ways on Effect of Cessation of Navy COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on Appellate Jurisdiction
Other federal courts of appeals have had little difficulty concluding that the end of the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate – as legislated in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 2022 –renders moot all pending litigation concerning injunctive relief from the rule. Just yesterday, the Tenth Circuit in Robert v. Austin, No.Continue reading “Fifth Circuit Panel Splits Three Ways on Effect of Cessation of Navy COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on Appellate Jurisdiction”
Decennial Redistricting Mooted Six-Year-Old Constitutional Challenge to Petition Requirement, Holds Seventh Circuit
In Gill v. Linnabary, No. 22-1653 (7th Cir. Mar. 22, 2023), the Seventh Circuit dismisses as moot a challenge first filed in 2016 that challenged the Illinois ballot access rules to run for Congress as an independent. “The Illinois Election Code sets forth certain nomination requirements for independent candidates to appear on the general electionContinue reading “Decennial Redistricting Mooted Six-Year-Old Constitutional Challenge to Petition Requirement, Holds Seventh Circuit”
Government’s Appeal of CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Is Dismissed on Its Own Motion but the District Court’s Order Remains in Effect, Fifth Circuit Holds
In Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control, No. 21-40137 (5th Cir. Oct. 19, 2021), a published per curiam order of the Fifth Circuit, the court dismisses the federal government’s appeal of an order enjoining a national eviction moratorium but notably leaves the lower court order in effect. Subject to certain exceptions, when a federal caseContinue reading “Government’s Appeal of CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Is Dismissed on Its Own Motion but the District Court’s Order Remains in Effect, Fifth Circuit Holds”
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