⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

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Surface v. Pacillas — 5th Cir. (Aug 4, 2026)

No. 25-50786 Argued August 4, 2026 Published August 8, 2026; updated August 22, 2026

The Fifth Circuit reviews summary judgment against two former El Paso police supervisors. After an internal investigation led to their arrests and terminations, they sued the city and its police chief for race discrimination and retaliation under federal civil rights laws. The district court granted summary judgment to the defendants. Two days after this argument, the Fifth Circuit affirmed in an unpublished per curiam opinion, concluding that no rational jury could find for the plaintiffs on any claim.

Surface v. Pacillas (No. 25-50786) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 4, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-50786_8-4-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-50786
Opinion — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/25/25-50786.0.pdf
District court opinion — John Surface claims:https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dis-crt-w-d-tex-el-pas-div/117660791.html
District court opinion — Adan Chavez claims:https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dis-crt-w-d-tex-el-pas-div/117660931.html
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-50786

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