⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Tenth Circuit hears a bankruptcy fight rooted in Cory Markham's settlement with Auto Cycle Exchange and Kurt Dimick. A Colorado state court adopted terms barring disparagement and unwanted contact, with twenty thousand dollars due for a violation. Markham later filed for bankruptcy; Auto Cycle and Dimick then accused him of breaking the order again and sought contempt sanctions. The state judge found another violation, sentenced him to ninety days in jail, and awarded them another twenty thousand dollars. Markham says the request for money violated bankruptcy's automatic stay, which generally halts collection of earlier debts. The bankruptcy court rejected that claim, and a bankruptcy appellate panel affirmed. Here, the judges ask whether the stay covered the new conduct and whether its exception for governmental police powers extends to private parties' contempt request for money. Stephen Berken represents Markham and will ask the court to revive his claim.

Markham v. Auto Cycle Exchange Services (No. 25-1317) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, argued September 16, 2026.