Appellate Practice Tag

Here's how local governments fared in the federal courts of appeals during the past week. Eighth Circuit Brian Johnson v. Minneapolis Park, No. 12-2419 (Sept. 11, 2013). Finding that individual seeking to distribute Bibles during festival in public park is likely to prevail in his First Amendment challenge. See our coverage here. Ninth Circuit C.B. v. City of Sonora, No. 11-17454 (Sept. 12, 2013). Remanding for new trial and addressing qualified immunity issue under Fourth Amendment arising out of handcuffing and driving juvenile from school. Sylvia Landfill Trust v. City...

[caption id="attachment_107" align="alignright" width="199"]8th Circuit: Park did not adequately justify the need to limit literature distribution 8th Circuit: Park did not adequately justify the need to limit literature distribution[/caption] An evangelical Christian, Brian Johnson, sought to distribute Bibles at a gay-pride festival in a public park. The park board would not allow it. It had adopted a policy limiting literature distribution to confined areas, due to security concerns and the festival’s size. Johnson claimed the policy violated the First Amendment, and sought an injunction barring its enforcement. In a 2-1 decision released Wednesday, Johnson v. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Bd., the Eighth Circuit ruled that Johnson would likely prevail on his claim.

Many brief writers mistakenly think of the table of contents as a nuisance that their secretaries must complete before briefs are finished. This fundamental error can profoundly affect the quality of their documents. Once a significant part of a document has been prepared, and often when a discrete segment is completed, the author should pull the table of contents that then exists to study. That table may reveal a missing argument to be added, an editorial adjustment to be made in...