Rooker Feldman Doctrine Clarification

Summary

The Rooker-Feldman doctrine prevents federal courts from reviewing state court judgments. In Hunter v. McMahon, the Second Circuit clarified that if a state appeal is pending when a federal complaint is filed, the doctrine does not apply. This means that whether the appeal is in a state appellate court or a state court of appeals, the pending appeal dismisses the application of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. Additionally, if an appeal is untimely but the court of appeals issues a decision, that decision is generally considered valid unless challenged.

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in Hunter v. McMahon, * F.4th *, * (2d Cir. *) would it matter if the pending appeal, filed prior to the complaint, was filed in a state appellate court or a state court of appeals when it come to the rooker-feldman doctrine/
In terms of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, it typically doesn't matter whether the pending appeal was filed in a state appellate court or a state court of appeals. The doctrine bars federal courts from hearing cases that effectively seek to overturn state court judgments.
Do you have any more details about the specific case or issue you're dealing with?
so a pending appeal in either court prior to the filing of the complaint dismisses the rooker-feldman doctring according to Hunter v. McMahon, * F.4th *, * (2d Cir. *)
In Hunter v. McMahon, the Second Circuit clarified that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not apply if there is a pending state appeal when the federal complaint is filed. This means the pending appeal in either a state appellate court or a state court of appeals would indeed dismiss the application of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine.
Do you need more information on how this might affect your specific case?
if an appeal is untimely yet the court of appeals still issues a decision on the appeal is that appeal considered valid
If an appeal is untimely but the court of appeals still issues a decision, that decision is generally considered valid unless challenged. Timeliness is crucial, but a court's decision to proceed can give the appeal validity.
Do you need more detailed information on how to challenge such decisions?
so as long as the court of appeals issued an order, it means it did not reject the appeal
Yes, if the court of appeals issued an order, it means the appeal was not outright rejected and was considered by the court. If you need further assistance on how this affects your case or next steps, feel free to ask!