Explore 22 court opinions on Freedom Of Speech. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
22 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.
Public Employee Speech Not Protected if Not Matter of Public Concern
Kenneth Karwacki v. Josh Kaul, decided by Seventh Circuit on April 2, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction, f...
Ninth Circuit Upholds "No-Contact" Rule in Domestic Violence Case
Alfonso Verduzco Ruiz v. Pamela Bondi, decided by Ninth Circuit on April 1, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunctio...
Texas anti-BDS law upheld against First Amendment challenge by contractor
This case involves Rafael Pizana III, who sued Glenn Hegar (Comptroller) and Ken Paxton (Attorney General) of Texas. Pizana alleged that the state's "anti-BDS" law, which requires state contractors to...
Texas Court Limits Attorney General's Investigation into Pflag's Support for Gender-Affirming Care
This case involves a legal dispute between the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and Pflag, Inc., a non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. The OAG issued a req...
Georgia appeals court strikes down vague city noise ordinance
CITY OF MILTON v. CHANG, decided by Georgia Supreme Court on March 12, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The City of Milton sued Chang for violating a city ordinance that prohibited "any pers...
Ninth Circuit Upholds Injunction Against California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, Citing First Amendment and Federal Preemption Concerns
This case, Netchoice, LLC v. Bonta, was heard by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and involved a challenge to California's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AADC). The AADC is a law designed to prote...
City Attorney's Statements About Former Employee Found Privileged, Defamation Claim Reversed
This case involves Ike Spears, a former employee of the City of Shreveport, who sued William W. Hall, the City Attorney, for defamation. Spears claimed that Hall made defamatory statements about him d...
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of "Muslim Ban" and Retaliation Claims
Pacito v. Trump, decided by Ninth Circuit on March 5, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Pacito against former...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case Due to Lack of Actual Malice
Sutherly v. Theaker, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on February 11, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Sutherly, sued the defendant, Theaker, for defamation after Theaker made...
Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Claim Due to Insufficient Evidence
Stephanie Hall v. Joseph Wyatt, decided by Texas Court of Appeals on January 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Stephanie Hall, sued the defendant, Joseph Wyatt, for defamat...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case Over Judicial Proceeding Statements
Armstrong v. Nettles, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on January 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Armstrong, sued the defendant, Nettles, for defamation, alleging that Ne...
Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims
Iloff v. LaPaille, decided by California Court of Appeal on December 23, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Iloff, sued the defendant, LaPaille, for defamation after LaPaille po...
Ohio Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Sheriff in Excessive Force Case
Abdelaziz v. Lugo, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former inmate, sued the defendant sheriff and deputy sheriff for alleged...
Defendant's conviction for making threats overturned due to insufficient evidence of "true threat."
This case involves a dispute over whether a defendant, Mr. Kardasz, could be charged with a crime for allegedly making threats against his former employer and colleagues. The core legal question was w...
Statements of Opinion Protected from Defamation Claims
Curley v. McCarty, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 17, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Curley, sued the defendant, McCarty, for defamation, alleging that McCarty...
Former Tennessee Employee's Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against Governor Lee Dismissed
This case involves Gary Wygant, a former employee of the Tennessee Department of Correction, who sued Governor Bill Lee and other state officials. Wygant alleged that he was wrongfully terminated and ...
Court Upholds Dismissal of Former Employee's Wrongful Termination and Retaliation Lawsuit Against Governor
This case involves Gary Wygant, a former employee of the Tennessee Department of Correction, who sued Governor Bill Lee and other state officials. Wygant alleged that he was wrongfully terminated and ...
Statements in political debate protected as opinion, not defamation
Wilder v. Hicks, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 24, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Wilder, sued the defendant, Hicks, for defamation after Hicks published stat...
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Challenge to Trump Travel Ban
Pacito v. Trump, decided by Ninth Circuit on September 12, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Pacito against f...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of First Amendment Claim Against Former AG Bondi
Lisa Barnhill v. Pamela Bondi, decided by Fourth Circuit on May 15, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Lisa B...
Fourth Circuit: No Private Right of Action Under Florida Public Records Act
Eugenia Chavez v. Pamela Bondi, decided by Fourth Circuit on April 10, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Eug...
Eighth Circuit: No First Amendment Retaliation for Denied Jail Records
Human Rights Defense Center v. Baxter County Arkansas, decided by Eighth Circuit on February 24, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal o...