No. 19-7787October Term 2019Decided Apr 20, 2020Updated Sep 5, 2026
McNeal v. Ervin
The Supreme Court declined review, so the Ninth Circuit's dismissal of McNeal's complaint remains in effect.
Case status
Decided · April 20, 2020
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 20, 2020
- What it's about
The Supreme Court denied McNeal’s petition for review, leaving in place the Ninth Circuit’s dismissal of his complaint for failure to state a legal claim. McNeal alleged that the respondents’ actions violated his constitutional rights.
Question presented
1. Whether the lower court erred in dismissing the petitioner's complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted? 2. Whether the petitioner's constitutional rights were violated by the respondents' actions?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Apr 20, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Decision
What the Court decided
The Supreme Court declined review, so the Ninth Circuit's dismissal of McNeal's complaint remains in effect.
Impact
McNeal remains affected by the lower court's dismissal. More broadly, people whose complaints are dismissed at this stage do not get a new hearing in the Supreme Court when it declines review.
Not official Court text.
Briefing
What it's about
The Supreme Court declined to review Vernon Wayne McNeal's case. That left in place the Ninth Circuit's dismissal of his complaint for failing to state a legal claim, without deciding the merits of his constitutional-rights allegations.
Impact
McNeal remains affected by the lower court's dismissal. More broadly, people whose complaints are dismissed at this stage do not get a new hearing in the Supreme Court when it declines review.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished its action in this docket. The case remains resolved under the Ninth Circuit's dismissal.
What did the Supreme Court do in McNeal v. Ervin?
The Court declined to review the case. It did not decide whether McNeal's constitutional rights were violated.
Who was affected by the decision in McNeal v. Ervin?
McNeal was directly affected because the Ninth Circuit's dismissal stayed in place. The respondents did not face a Supreme Court merits decision.
What happens next in McNeal v. Ervin?
The Supreme Court's docket action is finished. The Ninth Circuit's dismissal continues to govern this case.
Timing
Decided April 20, 2020
The Court released its decision on April 20, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Sep 5, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Feb 13, 2019 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 5, 2026
- Method
- Methodology