First Amendment Free Speech Cases

Explore 25 court opinions on First Amendment Free Speech. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.

25 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.

Courts Deciding First Amendment Free Speech Cases

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Recent First Amendment Free Speech Opinions (25)

Greg Abbott, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Texas; Stephanie Muth, in Her Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services; And the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services v. Jane Doe, Individually and as Parent and Next Friend of Mary Doe, a Minor; John Doe, Individually and as Parent and Next Friend of Mary Doe, a Minor; And Dr. Megan Mooney

Texas reporting law likely violates First Amendment for gender-affirming care providers

tex · 2026-04-24 · Plaintiff Win · Impact: 75/100

Greg Abbott, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Texas; Stephanie Muth, in Her Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services; And the Texas Dep...

Roy Moore v. Senate Majority PAC

PAC's political statements about Roy Moore are protected opinion

ca11 · 2026-04-24 · Defendant Win · Impact: 20/100

Roy Moore v. Senate Majority PAC, decided by Eleventh Circuit on April 24, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a defamation claim...

Davis v. Warren

Fifth Circuit Denies Injunction Over Voter Registration Forms

ca5 · 2026-04-21 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Davis v. Warren, decided by Fifth Circuit on April 21, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by the plain...

Evans v. Dixon

Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims

fladistctapp · 2026-04-16 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Evans v. Dixon, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on April 16, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Evans, sued the defendant, Dixon, for defamation. Evans alleged that ...

Wenlei Mao v. Adam Smith and Tamara Smith

Statements deemed protected opinion in defamation suit

fladistctapp · 2026-04-15 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Wenlei Mao v. Adam Smith and Tamara Smith, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on April 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Wenlei Mao, sued the defendants, Adam and ...

Crystal Rice v. Scott Adams

Statements about public controversy are protected opinion, not defamation

ca4 · 2026-04-14 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Crystal Rice v. Scott Adams, decided by Fourth Circuit on April 14, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a defamation lawsuit brough...

Dove v. Simmons

Court finds some defamatory statements of fact, not protected opinion

md · 2026-04-13 · Mixed · Impact: 30/100

Dove v. Simmons, decided by Maryland Court of Appeals on April 13, 2026, resulted in a mixed outcome. The plaintiff, Dove, sued the defendant, Simmons, for defamation after Simmons published statement...

Susan Qashu v. Marco Rubio

Senator Rubio's Statements Protected Under First Amendment in Defamation Case

cadc · 2026-04-10 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Susan Qashu v. Marco Rubio, decided by D.C. Circuit on April 10, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. This case concerns a defamation claim brought by Susan Qashu against Senator Marco Rubio. Qa...

SMITH (SOPHIA) v. STATE

Ninth Circuit Upholds Nevada's 'Revenge Porn' Law Against Constitutional Challenge

nev · 2026-04-09 · Defendant Win · Impact: 65/100

SMITH (SOPHIA) v. STATE, decided by Nevada Supreme Court on April 9, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. Sophia Smith sued the State of Nevada, alleging that the state's "revenge porn" law was ...

Deveraux August Severin v. Phoebe Ann Lewis

Texas Appeals Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case

texapp · 2026-03-31 · Defendant Win · Impact: 15/100

Deveraux August Severin v. Phoebe Ann Lewis, decided by Texas Court of Appeals on March 31, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Deveraux August Severin, sued the defendant, Phoeb...

Evans v. Myers

Defamation suit affirmed; plaintiff failed to prove actual malice.

ohioctapp · 2026-03-26 · Defendant Win · Impact: 30/100

Evans v. Myers, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 26, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Evans, sued the defendant, Myers, for defamation after Myers posted allegedly fa...

Jackson v. Kinkaid

Defamation claim fails for lack of actual malice

ohioctapp · 2026-03-25 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Jackson v. Kinkaid, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 25, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Jackson, sued the defendant, Kinkaid, for defamation, alleging that Kinkaid ...

Morgan v. Keenan

Court finds some online statements may be defamatory, remands case

ohioctapp · 2026-03-25 · Remanded · Impact: 45/100

Morgan v. Keenan, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 25, 2026, resulted in a remanded outcome. The plaintiff, Morgan, sued the defendant, Keenan, for defamation after Keenan posted allegedly fa...

Whitney v. Baker

Ohio Court Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Claim Due to Lack of Damages

ohioctapp · 2026-03-25 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Whitney v. Baker, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 25, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Whitney, sued the defendant, Baker, for defamation after Baker posted allegedl...

John F. Schutz, P.L. v. Jared Schwalb

Appellate court partially affirms dismissal of business dispute claims

fladistctapp · 2026-03-25 · Mixed · Impact: 25/100

John F. Schutz, P.L. v. Jared Schwalb, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on March 25, 2026, resulted in a mixed outcome. The appellate court reviewed a trial court's order that dismissed a p...

Dion v. Weber

Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims

calctapp · 2026-03-18 · Defendant Win · Impact: 20/100

Dion v. Weber, decided by California Court of Appeal on March 18, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Dion, sued the defendant, Weber, for defamation after Weber published statem...

Peters v. Lawson

Statements of opinion and substantially true statements are not defamatory.

ohioctapp · 2026-03-17 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Peters v. Lawson, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 17, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Peters, sued the defendant, Lawson, for defamation after Lawson posted alleged...

Clarke v. Yu

Online reviews protected as opinion, not defamation

calctapp · 2026-03-16 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Clarke v. Yu, decided by California Court of Appeal on March 16, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Clarke, sued the defendant, Yu, for defamation after Yu posted negative revie...

Clapkin v. Levin

Statements of Fact vs. Opinion in Defamation Case

calctapp · 2026-03-16 · Plaintiff Win · Impact: 65/100

Clapkin v. Levin, decided by California Court of Appeal on March 16, 2026, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. The plaintiff, Clapkin, sued the defendant, Levin, for defamation after Levin published ...

Kendricks v. Hart

Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims

fladistctapp · 2026-03-16 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Kendricks v. Hart, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on March 16, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Kendricks, sued the defendant, Hart, for defamation after Hart pos...

Jacobs v. Papez

Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims

calctapp · 2026-03-13 · Defendant Win · Impact: 25/100

Jacobs v. Papez, decided by California Court of Appeal on March 13, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Jacobs, sued the defendant, Papez, for defamation after Papez posted alleg...

Mesenbrick v. Hartley

Appellate court allows defamation claim to proceed over online statements

ohioctapp · 2026-03-13 · Mixed · Impact: 40/100

Mesenbrick v. Hartley, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 13, 2026, resulted in a mixed outcome. The plaintiff, Mesenbrick, sued the defendant, Hartley, for defamation after Hartley posted alle...

National Tps Alliance v. Noem

Ninth Circuit Upholds South Dakota's Anti-Riot Law Against First Amendment Challenge

ca9 · 2026-03-11 · Defendant Win · Impact: 65/100

National Tps Alliance v. Noem, decided by Ninth Circuit on March 11, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sough...

Searles, McMillin v. Escambia County, Florida

Zoning ordinance restricting adult businesses upheld

fladistctapp · 2026-03-11 · Defendant Win · Impact: 45/100

Searles, McMillin v. Escambia County, Florida, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on March 11, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Searles McMillin, sued Escambia County...

James Kevin Keel v. Bo Stallman

Appellate court affirms summary judgment for defendant in defamation suit

texapp · 2026-03-10 · Defendant Win · Impact: 15/100

James Kevin Keel v. Bo Stallman, decided by Texas Court of Appeals on March 10, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, James Kevin Keel, sued the defendant, Bo Stallman, for defamat...

First Amendment Free Speech by Court

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First Amendment Free Speech by State

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Related Resources

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