Astorga, et al. v. Villanueva, et al. — 9th Cir. (Sep 16, 2026)

No. 24-4061 Argued September 16, 2026 Published September 28, 2026

The Ninth Circuit hears Astorga v. Villanueva, a civil rights case arising from a September 2020 protest in South Los Angeles. Protesters had gathered after sheriff's deputies fatally shot Dijon Kizzee. Christina Astorga says deputies fired less-lethal projectiles into the crowd, hitting her as she fled; she says they then arrested her and seized her phone. She and other protesters sued the county, its sheriff's department, and then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva. This appeal asks whether Villanueva himself can be held liable for the deputies' alleged use of force. Qualified immunity can shield officials from damages when no clearly established law forbade their conduct. The judges also distinguish a Monell claim against the county, based on its own policy or custom, from a claim against the sheriff personally.

Astorga, et al. v. Villanueva, et al. (No. 24-4061) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued September 16, 2026.

Sources

Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/09/16/24-4061.mp3

Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=24-4061&hearingDate=2026-09-16

Earlier Ninth Circuit memorandum in this litigation:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2021/07/15/21-55059.pdf

District court docket — PACER-derived Justia record:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2020cv09805/799610

Contemporaneous case background — Top Class Actions:https://topclassactions.com/civil-rights/protester-files-class-action-lawsuit-against-lasd-alleging-excessive-force-phone-seizure/

Section 1983 and Monell legal outline — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/uploads/guides/section_1983/Section-1983-Revised-2024.pdf

0:00Introduction