⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

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Jones v. Fortino — 2d Cir. (Sep 25, 2026)

No. 25-913 Argued September 25, 2026 Published September 27, 2026

Daniel Jones is in New York's Article 10 civil-confinement system, which provides for yearly psychiatric examinations and possible court review of continued confinement. He says the Mental Hygiene Legal Service cited a conflict, and that he faced parts of the annual review process without a lawyer. An earlier federal case records a similar dispute over his representation, including a request for substitute counsel. In this newer suit, Jones named legal-service officials, psychiatric evaluators, and court personnel, claiming they hindered his access to court. A federal judge dismissed his amended complaint without prejudice in March 2025, finding that it failed to state a constitutional claim under Section 1915. The appeal asks whether that screening could rely on Younger abstention, and whether Jones alleged a federal rights violation rather than only a denial of counsel under state law.

Jones v. Fortino (No. 25-913) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 25, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — Second Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-913.mp3
Argument listing and date — Second Circuit:https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html
2025 dismissal judgment — N.D.N.Y. (GovInfo):https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-nynd-9_24-cv-01152/pdf/USCOURTS-nynd-9_24-cv-01152-0.pdf
Earlier Jones litigation and background — N.D.N.Y. (GovInfo):https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-nynd-9_19-cv-00025/pdf/USCOURTS-nynd-9_19-cv-00025-1.pdf
Appellate docket — Second Circuit (Justia mirror):https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca2/25-913
Annual examination and review — N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 10.09:https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/MHY/10.09
Mental Hygiene Legal Service duties — N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 47.03:https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/MHY/47.03
Younger v. Harris — U.S. Supreme Court (GovInfo):https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USREPORTS-401/USREPORTS-401-37
Claim preclusion — Taylor v. Sturgell (GovInfo):https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USREPORTS-553/USREPORTS-553-880
Claim-preclusion explanation — U.S. Bankruptcy Court (GovInfo):https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-nysb-1_19-bk-10412/pdf/USCOURTS-nysb-1_19-bk-10412-73.pdf
Screening statute — 28 U.S.C. § 1915:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title28-section1915&num=0&edition=prelim
Civil-rights remedy — 42 U.S.C. § 1983:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1983&num=0&edition=prelim
Evan Bianchi — Spiro Harrison & Nelson:https://shnlegal.com/Attorneys/evan-bianchi/
Evan Bianchi firm affiliation — New York appellate opinion:https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/AD1/calendar/AppsMots/2026/apps/20260113/2025-02963.pdf

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