Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 664 , 94 S.Ct. 1347, 1356 , 39 L.Ed.2d 662 (1974); Brennan v. Stewart, 834 F.2d 1248, 1252 (5th Cir.1988, 88 F.3d 341. · Go Syfert
Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 664 , 94 S.Ct. 1347, 1356 , 39 L.Ed.2d 662 (1974); Brennan v. Stewart, 834 F.2d 1248, 1252 (5th Cir.1988, 88 F.3d 341. Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
207 citation events (195 in the last 25 years) across 25 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Kharim El Kholy v. Board of Supervisors, Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College (lamd, 2026-03-10)
Treatment trajectory · 1996 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1996 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Kharim El Kholy v. Board of Supervisors, Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College
M.D. La. · 2026 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Ambriz v. Hancock
5th Cir. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Bradley Joseph Lawrence Savoy v. Jeff Landry
E.D. La. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
eleventh amendment sovereign immunity deprives a federal court of jurisdiction to hear a suit against a state.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Sammy Tawakkol v. Sheila Vasquez, in Her Official Capacity as Manager of the Texas Department of Public Safety- Sex Offender Registration Bureau; And Freeman F. Martin, in His Official Capacity as Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety
Tex. App. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Stanford v. State of Texas
W.D. Tex. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
texas judges are entitled to eleventh amendment immunity for claims asserted against them in their official capacity.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) English v. United States of America
S.D. Tex. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
laims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Muhammad v. Louisiana Housing Corporation (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
M.D. La. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Acosta v. Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center
W.D. Tex. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Daniels v. The State of Texas
S.D. Tex. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
laims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Davis v. Andrews
S.D. Tex. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
laims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Redding-Guidry v. Harmony Public Scools
S.D. Tex. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Alvarez v. Texas Workforce Commission
W.D. Tex. · 2023 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Blue Mint Pharmco, LLC v. Texas State Board of Pharmacy
S.D. Tex. · 2023 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
laims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Filius v. Missouri Department of Corrections
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Hopkins v. Wayside Schools
W.D. Tex. · 2022 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Washington v. Lopinto
E.D. La. · 2021 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Indigo Williams v. Tate Reeves
5th Cir. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, . . . claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Brown v. Social Security Administration
E.D. La. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) SkyRunner L L C v. Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission
W.D. La. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
claims for fees associated with prospective relief and fees that may be awarded as costs are not barred by the eleventh amendment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Brownlee v. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Miss. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, . . . claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Mothe v. Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
E.D. La. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Danyal Shaikh v. Texas A&M Univ Clge of Medc, et a
5th Cir. · 2018 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Watson v. United States
Fed. Cl. · 2018 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
eleventh amendment does not protect state officials from claims for prospective relief when it is alleged that the state official acted in violation of federal law.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vivian Chen v. University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
S.D. Tex. · 2026 · confidence medium
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AND TITLE II “Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity deprives a federal court of jurisdiction to hear a suit against a state.” Warnock v. Pecos County, 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Steven Marsh v. D.W.C.C., et al.
W.D. La. · 2026 · confidence medium
Carver, 18 F.4th at 498 ; Warnock v. Pecos County, Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996) (citing FED.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Terrence Terrell Lindsey v. The State of Texas, et al.
N.D. Tex. · 2026 · confidence medium
Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Terrence Terrell Lindsey v. The State of Texas, et al.
N.D. Tex. · 2026 · confidence medium
Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Quiroz v. Hernandez
5th Cir. · 2026 · confidence medium
Ending in 2653, 942 F.3d 655, 666 (5th Cir. 2019) (citing Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Devins v. Armstrong
5th Cir. · 2026 · confidence medium
Bd. of Internal Med., 103 F.4th 383 , 396 (5th Cir. 2024); Denning v. Bond Pharmacy, Inc., 50 F.4th 445, 452 (5th Cir. 2022); Mitchell, 982 F.3d 937, 944 (5th Cir. 2020); Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Chad Michael Rodgers, et al. v. Board of Commissioners for the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District
E.D. La. · 2026 · confidence medium
XI. 35 Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Fla., 517 U.S. 44, 54 (1996). 36 Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996). 37 Vogt, 294 F.3d at 688 . 38 Hudson v. City of New Orleans, 174 F.3d 677, 681 (5th Cir. 1999). 39 Vogt, 294 F.3d at 689 (quoting Pendergrass v. Greater New Orleans Expressway Comm'n, 144 F.3d 342, 344 (5th Cir.1998)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Doyle Jason Billiot v. Jennifer F. Richard, et al.
E.D. La. · 2026 · confidence medium
Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989); Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996); see also Doris v. Van Davis, No. 08-4138, 2009 WL 382653 , at *2 (E.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Timothy Demond Pate v. Leon T. Roche
E.D. La. · 2026 · confidence medium
Police , 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989) (“neiWthaerrn ao cSkt avt. eP encoors Cittsy .o, Tffeicxi.als acting in their official capacitiseese aarleso ‘p Perricseo nv.s I’ ruonndser § 1983”); , 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996); Doris v. Van Davis, Civ.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Quiroz v. Hernandez
5th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ending in 2653, 942 F.3d 655, 666 (5th Cir. 2019) (citing Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) CMP, LLC v. Board of Commissioners for the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District
E.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ed. 2d 252 (1996). 22 Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996). 23 Vogt v. Bd. of Comm'rs of Orleans Levee Dist., 294 F.3d 684, 688 (5th Cir. 2002). 24 Hudson v. City of New Orleans, 174 F.3d 677, 681 (5th Cir. 1999). 25 Vogt, 294 F.3d at 689 (quoting Pendergrass v. Greater New Orleans Expressway Comm'n, 144 F.3d 342, 344 (5th Cir.1998)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Dantzler v. Bourgeois, Jr
M.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
Carver, 18 F.4th at 8 498-499; Warnock v. Pecos County, Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996) (citing FED.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Collins v. Pickett
E.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989); Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996); see also Doris v. Van Davis, No. 08-4138, 2009 WL 382653 , at *2 (E.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Doe v. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
S.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Richards v. Connick
E.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co. v. Mottley, 211 U.S. 149, 152 (1908)). 16 Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996). 4 7-8.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sargent v. Tate County Mississippi
N.D. Miss. · 2025 · confidence medium
This immunity extends to judges in their official capacity as state actors. /d. (“the district court properly dismissed the claims brought against Chancellor Maples in his official capacity”); Davis v. Tarrant Cnty, Tex., 565 F.3d 214, 228 (Sth Cir. 2009) (citing Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (Sth Cir. 1996); Holloway v. Walker, 765 F.2d 517, 519 (Sth Cir. 1985)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Alaniz v. Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
W.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity deprives a federal court of jurisdiction to a suit against a state.” Warnock v. Pecos County, 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996) (citing Pennhurst State School and Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100 (1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Portalatin v. Cavalie
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under Rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.” Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Williams v. Department of Justice
E.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Warnock Pecos Cnty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rushing v. Yeargain
M.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
On the other hand, the Fifth Circuit has held that “the Ex Parte Young doctrine [is] an appropriate vehicle for pursuing reinstatement to a previous job position[.]” Id. (citing Warnock v. Pecos Cty., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Malone v. 107th District Court
S.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Judicial Immunity from Official Action in §1983 Claims “Texas judges are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity for claims asserted against them in their official capacity.” Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996); Holloway v. Walker, 765 F.2d 517, 519 (5th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 517 (1985).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Adams v. Kaplan
W.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
Warnock v. Pecos County, Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mitchel v. Pitre
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
Warnock v. Pecos County, 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robinson v. Stingley
S.D. Miss. · 2024 · confidence medium
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) allows parties, before answering, to move to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.3 “Because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under Rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.” , 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Diaz v. Cantu (2×)
5th Cir. · 2024 · confidence medium
Id. at 216 ; Warnock v. Pecos County, 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. _____________________ 6 We refer to this office as that of a “constitutional county judge” to distinguish it from that of a county judge whose court and position were created by statute.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Daniels v. Texas Workforce Commission
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“Because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under Rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice.” Warnock v. Pecos Cty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Martin v. The City of Las Vegas
W.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“Texas judges are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity for claims asserted against them in their official capacity.” Warnock v. Pecos Cnty., Tex., 88 F.3d 341, 343 (5th Cir. 1996).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Edelman
v.
Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 664 , 94 S.Ct. 1347, 1356 , 39 L.Ed.2d 662 (1974); Brennan v. Stewart, 834 F.2d 1248, 1252 (5th Cir.1988
DUHÉ, Circuit Judge:

Plaintiff’s § 1983 claims against two state district judges in their individual and official capacities were dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(a)(2). We vacate the judgment of dismissal, reverse in part and remand with instructions.

Ms. Warnock was appointed to a two year term as Pecos County Auditor by Judges Alex R. Gonzalez and Brock Jones, judges of the 83rd and 112th Judicial Districts respectively, in accordance with § 84.002 of the Texas Local Government Code. Ms. War-nock was not reappointed at the expiration of her term. She alleges that the non-renewal of her appointment was retaliation for reporting to various authorities “numerous matters of public concern that involved violations of laws and administrative regulations of the State of Texas and of the policies and ordinances of Pecos County, Texas.”

Warnock seeks compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement and attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of her First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. The judges moved to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure based on sovereign immunity and qualified immunity. The claims were dismissed with prejudice.

Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity deprives a federal court of jurisdiction to hear a suit against a state. Pennhurst State School and Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100, 104 S.Ct. 900, 907-08, 79 L.Ed.2d 67 (1984). A dismissal for lack of jurisdiction will not be affirmed unless it appears certain that the plaintiff cannot prove any set of facts in support of her claim which would entitle her to relief. Hobbs v. Hawkins, 968 F.2d 471, 475 (5th Cir.1992).

Texas judges are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity for claims asserted against them in their official capacity. Holloway v. Walker, 765 F.2d 517, 519 (5th Cir.), cert, denied, 474 U.S. 1037, 106 S.Ct. 605, 88 L.Ed.2d 583 (1985). Plaintiff argues that Judges Gonzalez and Jones are not entitled to sovereign immunity in this case because the appointing of county auditor is an administrative act performed on behalf of the County, not the State. Plaintiffs argument is unavailing. The Eleventh Amendment is invoked when “the state is the real, substantial party in interest.” Pennhurst, 465 U.S. at 101, 104 S.Ct. at 908. The state is a real, substantial party in interest when the judgment sought would expend itself on the state treasury or domain or would restrain the state from acting or compel it to act. Id. at 101 n. 11, 104 S.Ct. at 908-09 n. 11. Plaintiff seeks relief that would be provided by the state. The state, therefore, is the real, substantial party in interest making sovereign immunity applicable to plaintiffs claims against the judges in their official capacities.

Plaintiffs claim for prospective relief (reinstatement), however, is not barred by sovereign immunity. The Eleventh Amendment does not protect state officials from claims for prospective relief when it is alleged that the state officials acted in violation of federal law. Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 155-56, 28 S.Ct. 441, 452, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908); Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 664, 94 S.Ct. 1347, 1356, 39 L.Ed.2d 662 (1974); Brennan v. Stewart, 834 F.2d 1248, 1252 (5th Cir.1988). Plaintiff also seeks attorney’s fees from the judges. Claims for fees associated with prospective relief and fees that may be awarded as costs are not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Hutto v. Finney, 437 U.S. 678, 692, 98 S.Ct. 2565, 2574, 57 L.Ed.2d 522 (1978).

The district court dismissed Plaintiffs claims with prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Because sovereign immunity deprives the court of jurisdiction, the claims barred by sovereign immunity can be dismissed only under Rule 12(b)(1) and not with prejudice. On remand the district court is to dismiss those claims under Rule 12(b)(1) and is to give further consideration to — the claims for reinstatement and attorney’s fees.

[*344] In response to the individual claims, the judges raised the defense of qualified immunity. The district court dismissed the complaint because it found the complaint did not meet the pleading requirements of Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 2815-16, 86 L.Ed.2d 411 (1985). After the district court rendered its judgment, we issued Schultea v. Wood, 47 F.3d 1427 (5th Cir.1995) which clarified the procedures for addressing qualified immunity. Since the district court did not have the benefit of that opinion, we vacate the dismissal of the individual claims and remand the case for further proceedings in light of Schultea.

We VACATE the judgment, REVERSE in part and REMAND with instructions.