Latest Legal News | VERDICT News

Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Posthumous Certificate of Innocence Petition

The Illinois Supreme Court addressed whether a certificate of innocence petition can proceed after the petitioner's death in *People v. Dobbins*, involving a man whose drug conviction was vacated due to fabricated evidence by corrupt Chicago police. Gregory Dobbins died two weeks before his scheduled hearing, leaving his family to fight for the innocence certificate.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Federal Circuit

Jan 23, 2026•4 min read

CA6

6th Circuit: Memory Gaps Don't Meet Evidence Standard in Prison Care Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that witness testimony stating they "do not remember" whether events occurred is insufficient evidence for a jury to find those events actually happened. The decision came in a case where inmate Michael Victor suffered an epileptic seizure after not receiving anti-seizure medication during overnight jail detention.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Federal Circuit

Jan 23, 2026•4 min read

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Denial of International Child Return Petition

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Lucas Alzu's petition to return his child under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The Argentine father had alleged that Amy Nichole Huff wrongfully removed their child from Argentina.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

State Court

Jan 23, 2026•4 min read

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Corporate Veil Piercing Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling in Perkins v. RMR Building Group on January 23, 2026, clarifying that piercing the corporate veil is an equitable remedy rather than a standalone legal action. The court also established important appellate review standards for equity cases involving credibility determinations.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Federal Circuit

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Reverses, Grants Officer Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a district court decision and granted qualified immunity to Officer Nicholas Rubenstahl, who was accused of using excessive force while executing an arrest warrant against Rebecca Lucas in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

State Court

Jan 23, 2026•4 min read

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Coverage for Pollution Cases

The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled that government permits authorizing emissions have no relevance in determining whether pollution exclusions apply to commercial liability insurance policies. The January 23, 2026 decision answers a certified question from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Regulatory

Jan 22, 2026•4 min read

SEC Advisory Committee to Address Small Business Capital Rules Feb. 24

The SEC's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on February 24, 2026, to continue discussions on regulatory frameworks for finders and explore private secondary market issues. The meeting represents ongoing efforts to address capital formation challenges facing small businesses.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Regulatory

Jan 22, 2026•4 min read

SEC Approves $362.1M PCAOB Budget for 2026 with 9.4% Increase

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's 2026 budget totaling $362.1 million, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year. The budget approval includes the accounting support fee that funds PCAOB oversight of public company auditors.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Supreme Court

Jan 22, 2026•4 min read

Massachusetts City Faces Lawsuit Over Religious Statues on Public Building

The city of Quincy, Massachusetts is defending its plan to display statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian on its new public safety headquarters. The ACLU and local residents filed a lawsuit claiming the religious symbols violate the state constitution's religious freedom provisions.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →

Regulatory

Jan 22, 2026•4 min read

Supreme Court Hears Trump v. Cook on Fed Governor Removal Powers

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Cook, a case examining President Trump's authority to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell attended despite Treasury Secretary criticism, highlighting tensions over central bank independence.

AI-generated SummaryRead Article →