Kohls v. Ellison (Appeal)

CLOSED - Private challenge

Case Details

Court:

U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Docket:

25-1300

Filed:

February 12, 2025

Status:

Appeal denied in Eighth Circuit

Plaintiff:

Christopher Kohls and Mary Franson

Defendant:

Keith Ellison (Minnesota Attorney General) and Chad Larson (County Attorney, Douglas County)

Law Challenged:

Political Deepfakes Prohibition

Legal Theories:

First Amendment (unlawful restriction of speech, facial and as-applied)
Fourteenth Amendment (vagueness)

Lower Court Decision

Court:: U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Docket:: 0:24-cv-03754
Judge:: District Court Judge Laura M. Provinzino
Decision:: Preliminary injunction denied
Decision Date:: January 10, 2025

Summary

Plaintiff’s appeal of the district court’s decision denying a preliminary injunction. The court held that Christopher Kohls did not have standing and defendant Mary Franson delayed too long. The court of appeals affirmed the district court decision, holding that there was no abuse of discretion.

Documents

📄 Eighth Circuit Docket
📄 Opening Brief of Christopher Kohls and Mary Franson (Apr 18, 2025)
📄 Appellee Ellison's Brief (May 19, 2025)
📄 Appellee Larson's Brief (May 20, 2025)
📄 Reply Brief of Christopher Kohls and Mary Franson (Jun 13, 2025)
📄 Decision (Feb 2, 2026)

Timeline

Jan 10, 2025

District Court Decision

District court denied preliminary injunction.

Feb 7, 2025

Notice of Appeal Filed

Plaintiffs filed notice of appeal to Eighth Circuit.

Feb 12, 2025

Civil case docketed

Appeals court dockets appeal.

Feb 2, 2026

Oral argument

Case argued and submitted.