Benitez v. Hutchens, No. 17–55107 (9th Cir. 2020)
Nature of Case: Appellant filed a civil rights lawsuit against the sheriff of Orange County, alleging that because he was confined in the jail as a civil commitment detainee, his civil rights were violated. The district court dismissed his complaint, and he sought review.
Holding: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Appellant plausibly alleged a violation of his constitutional rights stemming from his confinement in the jail as a consequence of a civil commitment petition, and thus the Court reversed the district court’s dismissal and reversed for further proceedings.