Case: Civil Rights Corps v. Walker

1:24-cv-00943 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

Filed Date: Nov. 13, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about public access to the courts, specifically child dependency proceedings.  On November 13, 2024, the Civil Rights Corps filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Represented by a private law firm, the Civil Rights Corps sued the District Judge for the 14th Judicial District in Durham County and the sheriff of Durham County under the right of access to dependency proceedings under the First Amendment. The plaintiff argued t…

This case is about public access to the courts, specifically child dependency proceedings. 

On November 13, 2024, the Civil Rights Corps filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Represented by a private law firm, the Civil Rights Corps sued the District Judge for the 14th Judicial District in Durham County and the sheriff of Durham County under the right of access to dependency proceedings under the First Amendment. The plaintiff argued that the defendants violated the First Amendment by repeatedly excluding Civil Rights Corps’ attorneys from observing child dependency proceedings in Durham County. The Civil Rights Corps sought (1) to prohibit the defendants from enforcing closed dependency proceedings that were issued without notice, an opportunity to be heard, consideration of alternatives, and a reasonable explanation that the exclusion was necessary, and (2) attorney’s fees and litigation costs.

On December 2, 2024, the Civil Rights Corps filed a motion for preliminary injunction.

On January 13, 2025, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, on behalf of its Office of Guardian ad Litem Services, moved to intervene. On the same day, one of the defendant District Judge filed a motion to dismiss.

On February 13, 2025, the other defendant sheriff filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.

As of April 16, 2025, the case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (1/9/2025)

Haruno Fukatsu (4/16/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69370012/parties/civil-rights-corps-v-walker/

Attorney for Plaintiff

AMINIRAD, SHANNON GALVIN (North Carolina)

GHATLIA, ADITI NARESH (North Carolina)

HEANEY, CHRISTOPHER J. (North Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

CHANG, ROBERT SEUNGCHUL (North Carolina)

GLASS, CAITLIN (North Carolina)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:24-cv-00943

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69370012/civil-rights-corps-v-walker/

Last updated July 2, 2025, 2:25 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ANCMDC-3957647.), filed by Civil Rights Corps.(HEANEY, CHRISTOPHER) Modified on 11/13/2024 to include complete title of document. (sh) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

RECAP
1

Complaint

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

RECAP
1

Complaint

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

Clearinghouse
1

Complaint

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

RECAP
1

Complaint

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

RECAP
2

Request for Waiver of Service

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
2

Request for Waiver of Service

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
2

REQUEST FOR WAIVER of Service sent to Elizabeth OBrien on 11/13/2024 by Civil Rights Corps. (HEANEY, CHRISTOPHER) (Main Document 2 replaced on 11/13/2024 with flattened document.) (sh) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
2

Request for Waiver of Service

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
2

Request for Waiver of Service

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
3

Additional Attachments to Main Document

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
3

Additional Attachments to Main Document Civil Cover Sheet. (HEANEY, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
3

Additional Attachments to Main Document

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
3

Additional Attachments to Main Document

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
3

Additional Attachments to Main Document

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
4

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
4

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
4

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
4

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
4

NOTICE of Special Appearance by attorney ARIELLA PARK on behalf of Plaintiff CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS ( Filing fee $ 25 receipt number BNCMDC-3957898.) (PARK, ARIELLA) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
5

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
5

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
5

NOTICE of Special Appearance by attorney SARAH PFANDER on behalf of Plaintiff CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS ( Filing fee $ 25 receipt number ANCMDC-3957922.) (PFANDER, SARAH) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
5

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
5

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
6

NOTICE of Special Appearance by attorney ROHIT SINGLA on behalf of Plaintiff CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS ( Filing fee $ 25 receipt number BNCMDC-3957957.) (SINGLA, ROHIT) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
6

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
6

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
6

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
6

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
7

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
7

NOTICE of Special Appearance by attorney ADITI NARESH GHATLIA on behalf of Plaintiff CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS ( Filing fee $ 25 receipt number ANCMDC-3957980.) (GHATLIA, ADITI) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
7

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
7

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
7

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
8

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
8

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
8

NOTICE of Special Appearance by attorney SHANNON GALVIN AMINIRAD on behalf of Plaintiff CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS ( Filing fee $ 25 receipt number ANCMDC-3958377.) (AMINIRAD, SHANNON) (Entered: 11/13/2024)

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
8

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
8

Notice of Special Appearance

Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Mediation

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Standing Order 30

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Mediation

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Mediation

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Mediation

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Mediation

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Standing Order 30

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Standing Order 30

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Standing Order 30

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Assigned

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Referred to Standing Order 30

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Assigned

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Assigned

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case ASSIGNED to UNASSIGNED and MAG/JUDGE JOI ELIZABETH PEAKE. (sh)

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Assigned

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

Case Assigned

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

CASE REFERRED to Standing Order 30. (sh)

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER

CASE REFERRED to Mediation pursuant to Local Rule 83.9b of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of this Court. Please go to our website under Attorney Information for a list of mediators which must be served on all parties. (sh)

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued as to CLARENCE F. BIRKHEAD. (sh) (Entered: 11/14/2024)

Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024

PACER
10

Notice of Attorney Appearance

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
10

Notice of Attorney Appearance

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
10

Notice of Attorney Appearance

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
10

Notice of Attorney Appearance

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
11

Waiver of Service of Summons

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
11

Waiver of Service of Summons

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
11

Waiver of Service of Summons

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
11

Waiver of Service of Summons

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
10

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by attorney ELIZABETH CURRAN O'BRIEN on behalf of Defendant DORETTA L. WALKER (O'BRIEN, ELIZABETH) (Entered: 11/15/2024)

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER
11

WAIVER OF SERVICE of SUMMONS by DORETTA L. WALKER. DORETTA L. WALKER waiver sent on 11/13/2024, answer due 1/13/2025. (O'BRIEN, ELIZABETH) (Entered: 11/15/2024)

Nov. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned to MAG/JUDGE JOE L. WEBSTER. MAG/JUDGE JOI ELIZABETH PEAKE no longer assigned to the case. (km)

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

PACER
12

Preliminary Injunction

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

RECAP
12

Preliminary Injunction

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

RECAP
12

Preliminary Injunction

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

RECAP
12

Preliminary Injunction

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

RECAP
13

Memorandum

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
13

Memorandum

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
13

Memorandum

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
13

Memorandum

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
14

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
14

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
14

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
14

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
15

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
15

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
15

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
15

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
12

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Request for Hearing by CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS. Response to Motion due by 12/23/2024 (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(SINGLA, ROHIT) (Entered: 12/02/2024)

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

RECAP
16

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
16

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
16

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER
16

Declaration

Dec. 2, 2024

Dec. 2, 2024

PACER

Case Details