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Pro Se Tips and Tactics
By John Midgley
In my last column, I began a discussion of summary judgment motions in prison cases, which I continue in this column. In prison cases, summary judgment motions are often made by defendants to try to get judgment without the need to go through a trial. Under Federal …
In my last column, I began a discussion of summary judgment motions in prison cases, which I continue in this column. In prison cases, summary judgment motions are often made by defendants to try to get judgment without the need to go through a trial. Under Federal …
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More from this issue:
- Kafka in the Desert: Palestinian Detainees Struggle
- Israeli Soldier Jailed for Refusing to Guard Palestinian Detainees
- Tales from the Washington IMU Crypt, by M L
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Reaching the Breaking Point, by M L
- Fingers in the PIE, by D.H.
- BJS Reports on Sentencing and Imprisonment
- Doing Life: Reflections of Men and Women Serving Life Sentences. Portraits and Interviews, by Dan Pens
- Peruvian Lawyers Arrested
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, by John Midgley
- California Irradiates Prison Visitors
- WSP Mail Rules Upheld
- Washington Porn Ban Challenged
- BOP Porn Ban Held Unconstitutional
- Struggle at Folsom, by Willie Wisely
- Spanish Speaking Prisoners Entitled to Interpreters
- Court Questions PLRA IFP Provisions
- Attorney Fee Award in Smoking Suit Affirmed
- Arizona Court Fee Law Upheld
- AZ Jail's Discriminatory Treatment of Muslims Requires Trial
- Slavery in South Carolina, by Dan Pens
- Ohio Death Row Uprising
- West Virginia Jailers Sentenced to Prison
- Turning the Screws in California, by Willie Wisely
- Sixth Circuit Discusses Habeas IFP
- Tax Court Required to Assist in Witness Subpoena
- News in Brief
- Ad Seg May Require Due Process
- Snitch Jacketing States 8th Amendment Claim
- Supervisors Liable for Excessive Force
- Ohio Students Rally in DC
- Health Care Contractor Subject to Monell Liability
- Evidence Must Support Disciplinary Ruling
- Survivors Manual
- Zain Fallout Continues
- Failure to Protect Informant Violates 8th Amendment
- Class Action Certification Clarified
- New Jersey DOC Required to Follow Own Rules
- Pelican Bay $600,000 Wrongful Death Settlement
More from John Midgley:
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, June 15, 2004
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics: Magistrate Judges in Federal Courts, Nov. 15, 2003
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics: Damages, Aug. 15, 2003
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, April 15, 2003
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, Dec. 15, 2002
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics: Unknown Defendant Identities, July 15, 2002
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, Feb. 15, 2002
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, June 15, 2001
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, Dec. 15, 2000
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, Sept. 15, 2000
More from these topics:
- Eleventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Six Female Alabama Jail Detainees’ Sexual Assault Suit, Jan. 1, 2026. Jail Misconduct, Summary Judgment, Limitations, Municipal Liability, Criminal Sexual Abuse.
- HRDC’s Washington Jail Debit-Release Card Suit Survives Summary Judgment, Nov. 1, 2025. Summary Judgment, Class Certification, Seizure of Prisoner Funds, Official Report, HRDC Litigation.
- Federal Injunction Bars ICE from Crowding Detainees in Unsanitary “Hold” Rooms in New York City Office, Nov. 1, 2025. Diabetes, Failure to Treat, Totality of Conditions, Food, Overcrowding, Plumbing, Sanitation, Bedding, Hygiene Supplies, Prisoner Legal Assistance, Legal Materials, Law Library Access/Adequacy, Summary Judgment, Injunctions, Class Certification, Immigration Detention.
- Fifth Circuit Remands Louisiana Detainee’s Medical Grievance Case, Nov. 1, 2025. Systemic Medical Neglect, Summary Judgment, Discovery, Pro Se Issues, Grounds for Relief, Deliberate Indifference.
- Eleventh Circuit Declines to Extend to Summary Judgment Proceedings a Rule Requiring District Courts to Notify Pro Se Litigants, Nov. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Harassment, BOP Litigation Reports, Summary Judgment, Pro Se Issues, Unlawful Detention.
- Appeals Court Allows Illinois Prisoner’s Suit for Failure to Exhaust Administrative Remedies, Nov. 1, 2025. Failure to Treat, Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA), Summary Judgment, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Hearsay Evidence/Exceptions.
- Fourth Circuit Revives Claims Against Virginia Jailers by Detainee They Allegedly Manhandled While Handcuffed, Feb. 15, 2025. Videotaping, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Summary Judgment, Physical Injury/Restraint.
- Sixth Circuit Revives Challenge by Kentucky Prisoner Left Three Weeks in “Rancid” Paper Undershorts, Feb. 15, 2025. Informants, Clothing, Sanitation, Summary Judgment, Deliberate Indifference.
- Seventh Circuit Offers Wisconsin Prisoner Just a Little Help in Suit Alleging He Was Held in Feces-Stained Cell Without Water, Feb. 15, 2025. Sewage, Water, Sanitation, Summary Judgment.
- TDCJ Denied Summary Judgment In Suit by Prisoner Who Missed Grievance Deadline Because Guard’s Assault Left Him In a Coma, Sept. 15, 2024. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Summary Judgment.

