9th Circuit Files Opinion in Carlson v. Chavez Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit filed a document in the case of *Carlson v. Chavez* on September 9, 2026, which was explicitly marked as "NOT FOR PUBLICATION."

This filing pertains to a case involving Chauna Carlson and Andrew Carlson, identified as husband and wife, against a party named Chavez, under case number 25-3038. The designation "NOT FOR PUBLICATION" is a critical detail, indicating that this particular document, likely an opinion or order, does not establish binding precedent within the circuit. Such designations are typically applied when a court determines that a decision does not introduce new legal principles, resolve conflicting precedent, or involve issues of significant public interest that would warrant its inclusion in the published body of case law. For the parties involved, the outcome of this specific matter is not reported in the excerpt, but for the broader legal community, its non-precedential status is paramount.

The legal significance for practitioners lies in the limited precedential value of such filings. While the decision resolves the dispute between the immediate parties, it cannot be cited as binding authority in subsequent cases. This practice helps manage the volume of published opinions, ensuring that only those with broader legal implications contribute to the development of jurisprudence. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a federal appellate court, part of the federal judiciary, with jurisdiction over several western states. Its operations, including the criteria for publication, are governed by federal rules and its own local rules, such as Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3, which outlines the standards for publication and citation of opinions. Molly C. Dwyer is identified as the Clerk of Court, responsible for the administrative functions of the court, including the filing of documents.

Key parties involved are the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as the judicial body, and Chauna Carlson and Andrew Carlson, husband and wife, as parties to the case, with Chavez as the opposing party. Molly C. Dwyer is the Clerk of Court. For attorneys practicing in the Ninth Circuit, the primary takeaway is to always verify the publication status of any appellate decision. While unpublished decisions may offer insight into the court's reasoning on specific factual patterns, they should not be relied upon as binding precedent. Practitioners should focus on published opinions for developing legal arguments and understanding the evolving legal landscape of the circuit. The case number 25-3038 indicates this matter was initiated in 2025, suggesting it is a relatively recent appellate proceeding.