A new federal lawsuit claims that officials and staff of a Texas district court failed to provide necessary accommodations for a litigant with disabilities, allegedly violating federal disability rights laws and constitutional protections. The complaint was filed by Mashiach C. Lassiter, acting without an attorney, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on January 29, 2026. Defendants named in the suit include the 325th District Court of Tarrant County (staff), Tarrant County District Clerk (staff), Lisa K. Grimaldi (Court Coordinator), Judge Cynthia Terry (in her official capacity), unknown Texas clerks and supervisors, and the Attorney General of Texas.
According to the filing, Lassiter asserts ongoing violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and constitutional rights enforceable through 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiff states these violations occurred during attempts to access judicial services and proceedings in the 325th District Court of Tarrant County, Texas. Lassiter claims that harm continues within Alabama as part of what is described as a ‘multi-state pattern.’
The complaint outlines that Lassiter is a qualified individual with disabilities who requires specific accommodations for filing documents and communicating with court personnel. Lassiter reports notifying various Texas court personnel—including clerks, supervisors, Lisa Grimaldi, and others—about these needs but alleges that requests for accommodations such as email filing, accessible-format communication, modifications to electronic systems, and meaningful participation in proceedings were denied or ignored.
The lawsuit details several alleged failures by defendants: refusal to process ADA accommodation requests; lack of an ADA coordinator; rejection or return of filings due to inaccessible procedural requirements; failure by Lisa Grimaldi to coordinate or provide assistance despite direct notice; and oversight by Judge Terry over procedures requiring use of systems inaccessible to Lassiter without modification. According to the complaint, these actions violate regulations at 28 C.F.R. §§ 35.130 and 35.160.
Lassiter further claims that these alleged failures resulted in missed opportunities to respond to filings, defend parental rights involving three children, participate in hearings, emotional distress, procedural loss, aggravation of service-connected disabilities, and other harms. The complaint states: ‘Plaintiff suffered emotional distress, procedural loss, harm related to the parenting of three children, and aggravation of service-connected disabilities.’
The legal claims are organized into five counts: denial of access under ADA Title II; discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; obstruction of access to courts under Section 1983; deprivation of procedural due process under Section 1983; and denial of equal protection under Section 1983. For example, one claim states: ‘Defendants denied Plaintiff access to public judicial services by refusing reasonable accommodations.’ Another asserts: ‘Individual defendants obstructed Plaintiff’s ability to litigate and pursue parental rights.’
In terms of relief sought from the court, Lassiter requests compensatory damages for loss related to parenting time and interference with parental rights concerning three minor children; emotional distress damages including those linked to service-connected combat disabilities; damages under ADA and Rehabilitation Act statutes; punitive damages against individual defendants for alleged reckless disregard; economic losses stemming from missed filings or hearings; declaratory relief finding violations occurred; prospective injunctive relief mandating ADA-compliant procedures such as acceptance of filings by email or accessible format; effective communication measures; structural modifications ensuring disabled litigants can access Texas court procedures; costs and fees allowed by law; any further relief deemed just by the court.
The total amount sought is preliminarily estimated not to exceed $1.5 million but will be determined at trial based on evidence presented before a jury as requested by Lassiter.
No attorneys are listed for either party as Mashiach C. Lassiter is representing himself in this action. The case was filed under Case ID 4:26-cv-00307-O.
Source: 426cv00307_Mashiach_Lassiter_v_325TH_District_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Texas.pdf
