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Rosales v. Terrell — 5th Cir. (Aug 3, 2026)

No. 25-30650 Argued August 3, 2026 Published August 8, 2026; updated August 22, 2026

The Fifth Circuit reviews a district court's refusal to grant qualified immunity to two Alexandria, Louisiana police officers at the pleading stage. Qualified immunity can protect officials from damages unless they violate clearly established law. Mario Rosales and Gracie Lasyone allege that the officers stopped their car without reasonable suspicion, prolonged the stop to investigate drugs, searched Rosales, and prevented them from recording. The officers say videos attached to the complaint contradict key allegations and show traffic violations, consent, and reasonable safety measures. Rule 12(c) governs judgment on the pleadings. At this stage, the court accepts well-pleaded facts as true. But it may disregard allegations clearly contradicted by video. Misty Antoon will argue for Officer Samuel Terrell. Brad Calvit of Provosty, Sadler and deLaunay will argue for Officer Jim Lewis. Marie Miller of the Institute for Justice will ask the court to let the plaintiffs' claims proceed.

Rosales v. Terrell (No. 25-30650) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 3, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-30650_08-03-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-30650
Order denying judgment on the pleadings — filed district court order:https://ij.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/District-Court-Order-Denying-MJPs-LA-Traffic-Stop.pdf
Report and recommendation — U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana:https://app.midpage.ai/document/rosales-v-lewis-1000450722308
Complaint — filed district court complaint:https://ij.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LA-Rosales-Traffic-Stop-Complaint.pdf
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-30650
Rule 12(c) and qualified-immunity standard — Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/22/22-40196-CV0.pdf
Pleading-stage video standard — Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-10017-CV0.pdf
Brad Calvit profile — Provosty, Sadler & deLaunay:https://www.provosty.com/attorneys/members/
Marie Miller profile — Institute for Justice:https://ij.org/staff/marie-miller-2/
Plaintiffs' case page — Institute for Justice:https://ij.org/case/louisiana-traffic-stop/
Fifth Circuit opinion search:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions?docket=25-30650

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