James v. City of Boise
| Docket No. | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-493 | Not Argued | Apr 24, 2025 | n/a | Per Curiam | OT 2015 |
Holding: Under federal law, a court has discretion to "allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney"s fee" in a civil rights lawsuit filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Because the Supreme Court has interpreted this to allow a prevailing defendant to recover fees only if "the plaintiff"s action was frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation," the Idaho Supreme Court erred when it concluded that it was not bound by this interpretation and awarded fees under federal law to a prevailing defendant without first making this determination.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded in a per curiam opinion on April 24, 2025.
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| 10/15/2015 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 18, 2015) |
| 10/27/2015 | Waiver of right of respondents City of Boise, Idaho, et al. to respond filed. |
| 11/09/2015 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 24, 2015. |
| 11/13/2015 | Response Requested . (Due December 14, 2015) |
| 12/09/2015 | Brief of respondents City of Boise, Idaho, et al. in opposition filed. |
| 12/18/2015 | Reply of petitioner Melene James filed. |
| 12/22/2015 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 8, 2016. |
| 01/11/2016 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016. |
| 01/19/2016 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 22, 2016. |
| 01/25/2016 | Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion) |
| 02/26/2016 | Judgment Issued |
| 02/26/2016 | Mandate Issued |