No. 19-8145October Term 2019Decided Apr 27, 2020Updated Sep 5, 2026
Cruz v. Betancourt
The Court declined to hear Cruz v. Betancourt, so the lower court's judgment remains in effect.
Case status
Decided · April 27, 2020
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 27, 2020
- What it's about
Cruz asked the Supreme Court to review the dismissal of his federal civil-rights lawsuit, the denial of permission to amend his complaint, and the denial of appointed counsel. The Court denied review, leaving the lower court’s judgment in place.
Question presented
1. Whether the Second Circuit Court of Appeals erred in affirming the District Court's dismissal of Petitioner's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted? 2. Whether the Second Circuit Court of Appeals erred in affirming the District Court's denial of Petitioner's motion for leave to amend his complaint? 3. Whether the Second Circuit Court of Appeals erred in affirming the District Court's denial of Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Apr 27, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Decision
What the Court decided
The Court declined to hear Cruz v. Betancourt, so the lower court's judgment remains in effect.
Impact
The result means Cruz's case remains dismissed. It also shows that people whose civil-rights complaints are dismissed may not get Supreme Court review of disputes over changing a complaint or receiving appointed counsel.
Not official Court text.
Briefing
What it's about
Cruz asked the Supreme Court to review the dismissal of his federal civil-rights lawsuit, as well as decisions denying him permission to amend his complaint and appoint counsel. The Court declined review and did not decide the merits, leaving the lower court's judgment in place.
Impact
The result means Cruz's case remains dismissed. It also shows that people whose civil-rights complaints are dismissed may not get Supreme Court review of disputes over changing a complaint or receiving appointed counsel.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished its action in this case. The lower court's judgment remains in place.
What did the Supreme Court do in Cruz v. Betancourt?
The Court declined to review Cruz's case. It did not decide whether the lower courts were right.
Who is affected by the outcome in Cruz v. Betancourt?
Cruz is directly affected because the dismissal of his civil-rights lawsuit remains in place. His requests to amend the complaint and appoint counsel also remain denied.
What happens next in Cruz v. Betancourt?
The Supreme Court has finished its action. The lower court's judgment continues to govern the case.
Timing
Decided April 27, 2020
The Court released its decision on April 27, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Sep 5, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Nov 5, 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