Curtis L. Holt v. Lake Cnty. Bd. of Commissioners, Peggy Holinga-Katona, Peter Benjamin, 408 F.3d 335 (7th Cir. 2005). · Go Syfert
Curtis L. Holt v. Lake Cnty. Bd. of Commissioners, Peggy Holinga-Katona, Peter Benjamin, 408 F.3d 335 (7th Cir. 2005). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
96 citation events (96 in the last 25 years) across 12 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Satterfield v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (ilnd, 2022-06-23)
Treatment trajectory · 2005 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2005 2015 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Satterfield v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
absent the state court's judgment evicting him from his property, mr. holt would not have the injury he now seeks to redress.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Steven Stuckey v. Housing Authority of Cook Coun (2×) also: Cited "see"
7th Cir. · 2020 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
absent the state court's judgment evicting him from his property, appellant would not have the injury he now seeks to redress.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Steven Stuckey v. Housing Authority of Cook Coun (2×) also: Cited "see"
7th Cir. · 2020 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
absent the state court's judgment evicting him from his property, appellant would not have the injury he now seeks to redress.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Reisinger v. Luzerne County (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
M.D. Penn. · 2010 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
rooker-feldman barred plaintiffs action because 'absent the state court's judgment ... plaintiff would not have the injury he now seeks to redress
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Elizabeth Prioleau and Annie Lee Prioleau v. U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as alleged trustee of LB-Cabana Series IV Trust; LB-Cabana Series IV Trust, LLC; Tracie Mays, an individual; DOE Insurance Company 1-5, inclusive
D.S.C. · 2026 · confidence medium
However, the injuries that the Plaintiffs claim are undoubtedly a result of the judgment. “[A]bsent the state court’s judgment . . . , [Plaintiffs] would not have the injury [they] now seek to redress.” Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bell v. State of Illinios
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (determining that the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction because “absent the state court’s judgment,” the plaintiff would have no injury, which required redress.).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Salem v. Larkin
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Van Dyke v. Cook County Sheriff's Office (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (discussing origin of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine).
cited Cited as authority (rule) DeAnn Graham v. UMH IN Holiday Village, LLC
7th Cir. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wheeler Financial Inc v. JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
N.D. Ill. · 2021 · confidence medium
Wheeler cites Beth-El All Nations Church v. City of Chicago, 486 F.3d 286, 292 (7th Cir. 2007), Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005), and Ritter v. Ross, 992 F.2d 750, 754 (7th Cir. 1993), for the proposition that Rooker-Feldman can bar federal courts from hearing challenges to tax deed proceedings.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wheeler Financial Inc v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
N.D. Ill. · 2021 · confidence medium
Wheeler cites Beth-El All Nations Church v. City of Chicago, 486 F.3d 286, 292 (7th Cir. 2007), Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005), and Ritter v. Ross, 992 F.2d 750, 754 (7th Cir. 1993), for the proposition that Rooker-Feldman can bar federal courts from hearing challenges to tax deed proceedings.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Toshisada Onishi v. David Chapleau
7th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Richard Silverberg v. City of Philadelphia
3rd Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005); Long v. Shorebank Dev.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Christina Lyons v. Gene B. Glick Company, Incorpo
7th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Christina Lyons v. Gene B. Glick Company, Incorpo
7th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Christina Lyons v. Gene B. Glick Company, Incorpo
7th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sims v. Mc Dilda
W.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (ruling that plaintiff “cannot overcome the jurisdictional bar by styling his claim as a due process action”)); Gorzelanczyk v. Baldassone, 29 F. App’x 402, 403 (7th Cir. 2002) (“But even though Gorzelanczyk labels his lawsuit as a § 1983 action alleging due process violations, his real injury is the child support order, not any alleged denial of due process.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage N.A.
N.D. Ill. · 2020 · confidence medium
Bd. of Commis., 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (Rooker-Feldman applies where, “absent the state court’s judgment evicting him from his property, [the plaintiff] would not have the injury he now seeks to redress”); GASH Assocs. v. Village of Rosemont, 995 F.2d 726, 728-29 (7th Cir. 1993) (claim barred by Rooker- Feldman where the plaintiff’s injury “came from the judgment confirming the [foreclosure] sale”); Bryan v. Belvidere Nat’l Bank, No. 04-CV-50009, 2004 WL 1345096 , at *3 (N.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re The Guardianship of: Omana Thankamma
W.D. Wash. · 2019 · confidence medium
It is of no avail. "[A] litigant may not 3 attempt to circumvent the effect of Rooker-Feldman and seek a reversal of a state court judgment 4 simply by casting the complaint in the form of a civil rights action." Holt v. Lake County Bd. of 5 Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005)(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). 6 There is no disguising the fact that this lawsuit seeks to reverse the effects of a 7 guardianship order entered by a state court.
cited Cited as authority (rule) In re The Guardianship of: Omana Thankamma
W.D. Wash. · 2019 · confidence medium
Ed. 2d 454 (2005); Hemmer v. 11 Ind. State Bd. of Animal Health, 532 F.3d 610, 613 (7th Cir. 2008); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Nair v. Copeland
W.D. Wash. · 2019 · confidence medium
Ed. 2d 454 (2005); Hemmer v. 17 Ind. State Bd. of Animal Health, 532 F.3d 610, 613 (7th Cir. 2008); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lincoln Manor Redevelopment LLC v. Combs
E.D. Wis. · 2019 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs., 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Campos v. Cook County (2×)
N.D. Ill. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (“The lower federal courts lack subject matter jurisdiction to review state court decisions|.]’’).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Standard Corporation
N.D. Ill. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Nancy Daw v. Consolidated City of Indianapo
7th Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (ruling that plaintiff “cannot overcome the jurisdictional bar by styling his claim as a due process action”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Nancy Daw v. Consolidated City of Indianapo
7th Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (ruling that plaintiff “cannot overcome the jurisdictional bar by styling his claim as a due process action”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Nancy Daw v. Consolidated City of Indianapo
7th Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (ruling that plaintiff “cannot overcome the jurisdictional bar by styling his claim as a due process action”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Markou v. Equestrien Estates Homeowners Association
N.D. Ill. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005); Taylor v. Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Purpura v. Christie
3rd Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336-37 (7th Cir. 2005) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Spencer v. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (In re Spencer)
Bankr. W.D. Wis. · 2015 · confidence medium
See Taylor, 374 F.3d at 532-33 ; Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005); Schmid v. Bank of Am., N.A., 498 B.R. 221, 224-25 (W.D.Wis. 2013).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Louis Kenny Reed v. First Horizon Home L
7th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Louis-Kenny-Reed: El v. Makowiecki
7th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wallis v. Fifth Third Bank
7th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005); Taylor v. Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Scott Wallis v. Fifth Third Bank
7th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005); Taylor v. Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Fincher v. South Bend Housing Authority
N.D. Ind. · 2009 · confidence medium
The Rooker-Feldman doctrine “excludes federal subject matter jurisdiction only when, after state proceedings have ended, a losing party in state court files suit in federal court complaining of an injury caused by the state court judgment and seeking review and rejection of that judgment.” Holt v. Lake County Board of Commissioners, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (citing Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Industries Corp., 544 U.S. 280, 284-85 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 , 161 L.Ed.2d 454 (2005)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. Orr (3×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
7th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
Corp., 544 U.S. 280, 283-84 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 , 161 L.Ed.2d 454 (2005); Hemmer v. Ind. State Bd. of Ani *568 mal Health, 532 F.3d 610, 613 (7th Cir. 2008); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005).
examined Cited as authority (rule) David Johnson v. David Orr (3×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
7th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
Corp., 544 U.S. 280, 283-84 (2005); Hemmer v. Ind. State Bd. of Animal Health, 532 F.3d 610, 613 (7th Cir. 2008); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Yoder, Steven D. v. City Logansport IN
7th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
See Beth‐El All Nations Church v. City of Chi., 486 F.3d 286, 292 (7th Cir. 2007); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Yoder v. City of Logansport
7th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
See Beth-El All Nations Church v. City of Chi, 486 F.3d 286, 292 (7th Cir.2007); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) South Washington Avenue, L.L.C. v. Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
3rd Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
Under Exxon Mobil, however, district courts may not hear: “cases brought by state-court losers complaining of injuries caused by state-court judgments rendered before the district court proceedings commenced and inviting district court review and rejection of those judgments.” Exxon, 544 U.S. at 284 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 ; see also Taliaferro, 458 F.3d at 192 (actions that would void a state court ruling are prohibited); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm., 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (Rooker-Feldman barred plaintiffs action because “absent the state court’s judgment ... [plaintiff] would…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thompson v. Waukesha State Bank Ex Rel. Derek Thompson Trust
N.D. Ill. · 2007 · confidence medium
In Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Industries Corp., 544 U.S. 280 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 , 161 L.Ed.2d 454 (2005), the Supreme Court recently clarified that the Rooker-Feld-man Doctrine “excludes federal subject matter jurisdiction only when, after state proceedings have ended, a losing party in state court files suit in federal court complaining of an ipjury caused by the state court judgment and seeking review and rejection of that judgment.” Holt v. Lake County Board of Commissioners, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005); citing Exxon Mobil, 544 U.S. at 284-85 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bolte, Richard v. Supreme Court WI
7th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
But, under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, federal courts other than the Supreme Court do not have appellate jurisdiction over state courts, see Lance v. Dennis, 546 U.S. 459, 461 , 126 S.Ct. 1198 , 163 L.Ed.2d 1059 (2006); Rooker, 263 U.S. at 415-16 , 44 S.Ct. 149 ; Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005); Ritter v. Ross, 992 F.2d 750, 753 (7th Cir.1993), and thus cannot entertain suits brought by state-court losers to review or modify a final decision of a state court, Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Indus., 544 U.S. 280, 283-84 , 125 S.Ct. 1517 , 161 L.Ed.2d 454…
examined Cited as authority (rule) O'Malley, Robert C. v. Litscher, Jon E. (3×) also: Cited "see"
7th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
It makes no difference that O’Malley’s disagreement with the state-court order is cast in the form of a civil-rights action, see Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (per curiam); Crestview Vill.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Deanna Turner v. Crawford Square Apartments Iii, L.P. McCormack Baron Management Services, Inc
3rd Cir. · 2006 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (plaintiffs action barred by Rooker-Feldman because “[plaintiffs] injury was caused by the state court judgments ... [and] absent the state court’s judgment ... [plaintiff] would not have the injury he now seeks to redress”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Turner v. Crawford Square Apt
3rd Cir. · 2006 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (plaintiff’s action barred by Rooker- Feldman because “[plaintiff’s] injury was caused by the state court judgments . . . [and] absent the state court’s judgment . . . [plaintiff] would not have the injury he now seeks to redress”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Alexander, Windsor v. Washington, Edward
7th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
The district court was right to dismiss Alexander’s suit, which calls to mind the similar complaint at issue in Holt v. Lake County Board of Commissioners, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bolte, Richard v. Koscove, Carol
7th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
Trust Co., 263 U.S. 413, 416 , 44 S.Ct. 149 , 68 L.Ed. 362 (1923); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs., 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ring, Donna S. v. Rameker, William J.
7th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
No. 04-1222 Page 3 Corp., 125 S. Ct. 1517 , 1521–22 (2005); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir. 2005) (per curiam), which is not what the bankruptcy court did.
cited Cited as authority (rule) In re Ring
7th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
Corp., —U.S.-, 125 S.Ct. 1517 , 1521—22, 161 L.Ed.2d 454 (2005); Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336 (7th Cir.2005) (per curiam), which is not what the bankruptcy court did.
cited Cited "see" Commonwealth Plaza Condominium Ass'n v. City of Chicago
7th Cir. · 2012 · signal: see · confidence high
See Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm’rs, 408 F.3d 335, 336-37 (7th Cir.2005) (dismissing § 1983 civil rights case because injury was caused by the state court judgment).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Curtis L. HOLT, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, Peggy Holinga-Katona, Peter Benjamin, Et Al., Defendants-Appellees
04-3842.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
May 12, 2005.
408 F.3d 335
2005 U.S. App. LEXIS 8466
2005 WL 1163679
Curtis L. Holt (submitted), Gary, IN, pro se., John S. Dull, Dull & Duggan, Edward R. Hall, Merrillville, IN, James L. Wieser, Wieser & Sterba, Schererville, IN, for Defendants-Appellees.
Ripple, Kanne, Williams.
Cited by 62 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

Curtis Holt lost possession of his property in Gary, Indiana, after the county sold the property to recover unpaid taxes. Mr. Holt challenged the validity of the tax sale during eviction proceedings in state court, and in another state court action that was dismissed as res judicata. Mr. Holt unsuccessfully appealed the dismissal of his case to the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Indiana. He then filed a complaint in federal court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming that he was deprived of his property without due process by the state court judges who ruled against him, a number of Lake County officials involved in the tax sale, and the buyer of his property. Mr. Holt requested that the court enter a judgment “that pre-[*336] eludes the defendants from depriving the plaintiff of his property without due process of law” and grant “all further just and proper relief.” The district court dismissed the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, and Mr. Holt appeals.

The lower federal courts lack subject matter jurisdiction to review state court decisions; only the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction to reverse or modify a state court judgment. Rooker v. Fid. Trust Co., 263 U.S. 413, 416, 44 S.Ct. 149, 68 L.Ed. 362 (1923); D.C. Court of Appeals v. Feldman, 460 U.S. 462, 482, 103 S.Ct. 1303, 75 L.Ed.2d 206 (1983). The Supreme Court has recently clarified that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine precludes federal subject matter jurisdiction only when, after state proceedings have ended, a losing party in state court files suit in federal court complaining of an injury caused by the state-court judgment and seeking review and rejection of that judgment. Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Indus. Corp., — U.S. -,-, 125 S.Ct. 1517, 1521-22, 161 L.Ed.2d 454 (2005). This is the situation we have before us.

In this case, Mr. Holt’s injury was caused by the state court judgments upholding the tax sale and evicting him from his property. See Long v. Shorebank Dev. Corp., 182 F.3d 548, 556 (7th Cir.1999) (“[I]t does not seem that Long’s due process argument can be considered separate from the eviction order entered against her”); Ritter v. Ross, 992 F.2d 750, 755 (7th Cir.1993). In Ritter, we held that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine precluded the district court from hearing a claim that a county deprived plaintiffs of property without due process by selling the property at an auction to recover unpaid taxes. We noted that the plaintiffs would have no claim “but for the tax lien foreclosure judgment.” Id. at 754. Likewise, absent the state court’s judgment evicting him from his property, Mr. Holt would not have the injury he now seeks to redress. See Long, 182 F.3d at 557; Wright v. Tackett, 39 F.3d 155, 158 (7th Cir.1994). This conclusion is reinforced by Mr. Holt’s assertions in his brief that “the issues concern dismissal of a properly stated claim” and that he was “evicted by a court without subject matter jurisdiction.” These statements belie Mr. Holt’s contention that he does not seek to overturn the state courts’ judgments. [1] We have repeatedly stated that “a litigant may not attempt to circumvent the effect of Rooker-Feldman and seek a reversal of a state court judgment simply by casting the complaint in the form of a civil rights action.” Long, 182 F.3d at 557; see Ritter, 992 F.2d at 754. Thus, Mr. Holt cannot overcome the jurisdictional bar by styling his claim as a due process action.

To the extent that Mr. Holt continues to challenge the district court’s denial of his motion for default judgment against certain defendants, we do not address his argument because we have determined[*337] that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the case.

Affirmed.

1

. Mr. Holt also makes the undeveloped argument that he "had no opportunity to present his due process, equal protection, and Fifth Amendment taking claims to the state court.” It is true that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine would not preclude a federal court from hearing Mr. Holt's claim if he did not have a reasonable opportunity to bring his claim in state court, Taylor v. Fed. Nat’l Mortgage Ass’n, 374 F.3d 529, 533 (7th Cir.2004); Long v. Shorebank Dev. Corp., 182 F.3d 548, 558 (7th Cir.1999). But Mr. Holt has not demonstrated, or even argued, that state court rules or procedures, or difficulties caused by factors "independent of the actions of the opposing parties” prevented the issues from being raised in the state court proceedings that preceded this action. See Taylor, 374 F.3d at 534-35; Long, 182 F.3d at 558.