Case Explained: CHISM V. CHANG, ET AL.

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-26 Docket: 2:20-cv-01072-DJC-DMC The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in William H. Chism, III’s pro se civil rights action alleging First Amendment retaliation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Applying de novo review and the standard set forth in *Rhodes v. Robinson*, the court held that the plaintiff failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact regarding whether the defendants took adverse actions against him or whether the actions taken by officers Cross and Domingo were not motivated by legitimate penological goals. As a result, Chism’s constitutional claim fails as a matter of law, and the judgment in favor of the defendants stands. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.