On February 25, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that individuals who win preliminary injunctions in civil rights cases do not automatically qualify as 'prevailing parties' under federal law, which would allow them to recover attorney's fees. This decision affects a group of Virginia drivers who had secured a preliminary injunction against the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in a civil rights lawsuit. The ruling indicates that such preliminary victories do not entitle plaintiffs to legal fee recovery, potentially complicating the pursuit of civil rights claims. Legal advocates from both conservative and liberal backgrounds expressed concerns that this ruling could hinder efforts to fight for civil rights in court. The court's decision means the DMV will not be liable for over $1 million in legal fees that could have been awarded to the plaintiffs.