Convisser v. The Haven at First and Market, Inc.

**Court Dismisses Pretrial Detainee's Religious Accommodation Case** This case involved a person held at El Paso County Jail Annex before trial who wanted kosher meals as part of his religious practice. The detainee filed a lawsuit claiming the jail violated his constitutional rights and federal religious protection laws by not properly accommodating his need for kosher food. He sought both changes to the jail's kosher meal program and money damages. The court dismissed the entire case, ruling that the detainee failed to prove his legal claims. Specifically, the judge found that the jail's existing kosher menu did not create a "substantial burden" on the person's ability to practice his religion, which is required under federal law. Without showing this substantial burden, the detainee could not move forward with either his constitutional claims or his request for damages. While this case involved a jail detainee rather than a traditional employee, it highlights important principles about religious accommodation. Workers should know that to succeed in religious accommodation cases, they generally must show that workplace policies significantly interfere with their religious practices. Simply being inconvenienced or preferring different accommodations may not be enough to win a legal case.