Gregory Dalzell, Jr. v. Arlington County Sheriff's Office
Court
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Decided
June 27, 2025
Jurisdiction
F
Importance
47%
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Case Summary
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1061 Doc: 21 Filed: 06/27/2025 Pg: 1 of 2 UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 23-1061 GREGORY DALZELL, JR., Plaintiff - Appellant, v. ARLINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE; BETH ARTHUR, Sheriff, in her individual and official capacity, Defendants - Appellees. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, at Alexandria. Anthony John Trenga, Senior District Judge. (1:22-cv-00407-AJT-JFA) Submitted: January 29, 2025 Decided: June 27, 2025 Before NIEMEYER, HEYTENS, and BENJAMIN, Circuit Judges. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. ON BRIEF: James B. Thorsen, Jesse A. Roche, THORSENALLEN, LLP, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellant. Alexander Francuzenko, Philip C. Krone, COOK CRAIG & FRANCUZENKO, PLLC, Fairfax, Virginia, for Appellees. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. USCA4 Appeal: 23-1061 Doc: 21 Filed: 06/27/2025 Pg: 2 of 2 PER CURIAM: Gregory Dalzell, Jr., appeals the district court’s order granting Defendant Sheriff Beth Arthur summary judgment in Dalzell’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. We have reviewed the record and find no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s order. Dalzell v. Arlington Cnty. Sheriff’s Off., No. 1:22-cv-00407-AJT-JFA (E.D. Va. Dec. 19, 2022). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED 2
Case Details
Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 27, 2025
Jurisdiction
F
Court Type
appellate
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Case Overview
Case Name: Gregory Dalzell, Jr. v. Arlington County Sheriff's Office
Citation: Unknown
Court: Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Date: June 27, 2025
Jurisdiction: Federal
In the case of Gregory Dalzell, Jr. v. Arlington County Sheriff's Office, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed an appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia concerning a civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiff, Gregory Dalzell, Jr., challenged the district court's decision to grant summary judgment in favor of the defendants, including Sheriff Beth Arthur.
Key Legal Issues
- Civil Rights Violations: The core issue revolves around alleged violations of Dalzell's civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
- Summary Judgment Standards: The appeal evaluated whether the district court properly applied the standards for granting summary judgment.
Court's Decision
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's order granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants. The court found no reversible error in the lower court's ruling, indicating that the legal arguments presented were adequately addressed without the need for oral argument.
Legal Reasoning
The appellate court's decision was based on a thorough review of the record and the legal contentions presented by both parties. The court noted that:
- The district court had correctly assessed the evidence and determined that there were no genuine issues of material fact that warranted a trial.
- The plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the actions of the Sheriff or her office constituted a violation of his constitutional rights.
Key Holdings
- The Fourth Circuit upheld the district court's decision, affirming that:
- No Reversible Error: The appellate court found no reversible error in the district court's ruling.
- Summary Judgment Appropriate: The court agreed that summary judgment was appropriate given the absence of material facts in dispute.
Precedents and Citations
While the court's opinion was unpublished and does not serve as binding precedent, it reinforces existing legal principles regarding summary judgment and civil rights claims under § 1983. The case cites the following principles:
- Summary Judgment Standard: The standard for granting summary judgment requires that there be no genuine dispute as to any material fact.
- Qualified Immunity: The decision implicitly touches upon the doctrine of qualified immunity, which protects government officials from liability for civil damages.
Practical Implications
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges plaintiffs face in civil rights litigation, particularly in proving violations under § 1983. Legal practitioners should note:
- The importance of presenting clear and compelling evidence to overcome summary judgment motions.
- The necessity of understanding the qualified immunity doctrine when litigating against government officials.
The ruling also emphasizes the appellate court's deference to district courts in assessing factual disputes and the application of legal standards in civil rights cases. This case may influence future litigation strategies in similar civil rights claims, particularly within the Fourth Circuit.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 27, 2025
Jurisdiction
F
Court Type
appellate
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools