Howard Friedman, Religion Clause

In Buckley v. Munk, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 188322 (ND CA, Nov. 2, 2018), a California federal district court dismissed the complaint of an Orthodox Jewish former pre-trial detainee that he was not allowed to have candles and a particular prayer book or to wear his tallit katan outside his cell.

In Clark v. Foxwell, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 188343 (D MD, Nov. 1, 2018), a Maryland federal district court dismissed a suit by an inmate who said he is Jewish who complained that he did not receive proper kosher meals.

In Wali Ibn Abd-Ali v. Sibanda, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 188885 (WD PA, Nov. 2, 2018), a Pennsylvania federal magistrate judge recommended allowing a Muslim inmate to move ahead with his complaint that is ability to participate in the Ramadan fast was impeded, but recommended dismissing his claim that he could not participate in Eid feasts.

In Meeks v. Boulden, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 190037 (ED CA, Nov. 6,2018), a California federal magistrate judge dismissed, with leave to amend, an inmate’s complaint that his religious beliefs prohibit him from drinking tap water and he was denied distilled or bottled water as an alternative.

In Alvarez v. Lassiter, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 190236 (WD NC, Nov. 6, 2018), a North Carolina federal district court dismissed an inmate’s complaint that his religious books and literature were taken from him, violating his free exercise rights.