Verdict . News

•Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed circuit court denial of petition to disqualify Republican primary candidate

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Affirms Election Challenge Denial in House Race

The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's decision denying John Kyle Day's petition to disqualify his Republican primary opponent Laura Wardlaw from the House District 94 race. Day had argued Wardlaw was ineligible due to a hot check law conviction.

•John Kyle Day challenged Laura Wardlaw's eligibility based on Arkansas Hot Check Law conviction

•Delaware Supreme Court capped marital home proceeds allocation at 70% maximum for one spouse

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Limits Spouse's Share of Marital Home to 70%

The Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Family Court decision that awarded more than 70% of marital home sale proceeds to one spouse in Parks v. Carver. The February 2026 ruling establishes new limits on property division in Delaware divorce cases involving domestic abuse allegations.

•Case involved domestic abuse allegations including forced signing of quit-claim deed under duress

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sixth Circuit Recommends Publication in O'Hara Bankruptcy Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recommended for publication a bankruptcy case involving debtor Thomas William O'Hara and U.S. Trustee Andrew R. Vara. The recommendation suggests the decision may establish important precedent in federal bankruptcy law.

•Sixth Circuit recommended case for publication, indicating precedential value in bankruptcy law

•Case progressed from bankruptcy court through district court to federal appeals level

Supreme Court of South Carolina

SC Supreme Court Reprimands Myrtle Beach Attorney for Billing Issues

The South Carolina Supreme Court issued a public reprimand against Mark Justin Josephs, a Myrtle Beach attorney, for billing discrepancies and inadequate financial record-keeping that resulted in $25,237 owed to clients. Josephs, who has practiced law since 1998 with no prior disciplinary history, consented to the discipline following a 2023 audit of his former law firm.

•Mark Justin Josephs received a public reprimand from the South Carolina Supreme Court for billing discrepancies and inadequate financial record-keeping

•A 2023 audit revealed Josephs owed $25,237 in client refunds, which he paid by July 2023

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court Dismisses Appeal After Defendant's Deportation

The New York Court of Appeals dismissed a criminal appeal without prejudice in *People v. Alba* after the defendant was involuntarily removed from the United States due to unrelated convictions. The February 11, 2026 decision highlights the court's discretionary authority to dismiss appeals when defendants are deported.

•Court exercised discretionary authority to dismiss appeal due to defendant's deportation for unrelated convictions

•Dismissal granted without prejudice, preserving defendant's right to reinstate appeal if he returns

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Reverses Drug Evidence Suppression Despite Valid Warrant

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a Texas district court's decision to suppress evidence seized under a valid warrant in United States v. Leonard. Despite the defendant's original attorney calling the suppression motion 'frivolous,' the magistrate judge recommended suppression under the exclusionary rule, which the district court granted before being overturned on appeal.

•Fifth Circuit reversed district court's suppression of evidence seized under valid warrant

•Defense attorney originally called suppression motion 'frivolous' but magistrate judge disagreed

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms BASF Victory in Patent Dispute with Ingevity

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided a patent infringement case between Ingevity Corporation and BASF Corporation on February 11, 2026. The case involved U.S. Patent RE38,844, with the district court having granted summary judgment of invalidity on Ingevity's asserted claims.

•Federal Circuit decided patent dispute between Ingevityand BASF on February 11, 2026

•District court had granted summary judgment invalidating Ingevity's patent claims

North Carolina Court of Appeals

NC Governor Challenges GOP Law Transferring Elections Board Control

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein argued before a state appeals court that a 2024 Republican-backed law transferring control of the state elections board from his office to the state auditor violates separation of powers principles. The law, passed during a lame duck session and originally marketed as disaster relief legislation, has sparked a constitutional battle over election administration authority.

•2024 law transferred elections board appointment power from Democratic governor to Republican state auditor

•Lower court initially ruled in favor of Governor Stein but appeals court stayed the decision

•Professional students must live in Montana for one full year before enrollment to qualify for in-state tuition rates

Ninth Circuit

Montana Professional Students Appeal In-State Tuition Policy to 9th Circuit

Nine former Montana professional students challenged the state's residency requirements for in-state tuition before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The students argue the Montana University System's policy unconstitutionally prevents them from reclassifying their residency status while enrolled in law, pharmacy, or physical therapy programs.

•Time spent in the state while enrolled in law, pharmacy, or physical therapy programs does not count toward residency