Verdict . News

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed lower court ruling limiting tenant damages in trespass case against property managers

Dec 31, 2025•4 min read

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Landlord Victory in Rental Showing Trespass Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a lower court ruling limiting damages for tenants who sued their property management companies for excessive rental unit showings. The court found only four instances of common law trespass and awarded damages equivalent to three-and-a-half days' rent.

•Court found only four instances of common law trespass despite tenants' claims of excessive rental unit showings

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Firearm Possession Under Protective Orders

The Connecticut Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Enrrique H., addressing the criminal possession of firearms by individuals subject to protective orders. The case involved convictions for both criminal possession of a firearm and criminal violation of a protective order.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided State v. Enrrique H., involving firearm possession under protective orders

•Defendant convicted on conditional pleas for criminal firearm possession and protective order violation

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed 40-year prison sentence for Francisco Padilla-Canales in domestic violence stabbing case

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Affirms 40-Year Prison Sentence in Stabbing Case

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a 40-year prison sentence for Francisco Padilla-Canales, who was convicted of stabbing his estranged wife's romantic partner after breaking into a home in July 2022. The court rejected his claim that his guilty plea was involuntary due to inadequate advisement.

•Padilla-Canales broke into home and stabbed his estranged wife's romantic partner with pocketknife in July 2022

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., sentenced to death for 2015 double murder

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences for James Terry Colley Jr.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., who was sentenced to death for murdering his estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins in 2015. The court also denied Colley's habeas corpus petition in a Dec. 30, 2025 ruling.

•Court rejected Colley's habeas corpus petition challenging his convictions for killing estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins

•Oregon Supreme Court dismissed professional conduct complaint against attorney Anne-Marie Clark

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Dismisses Ethics Complaint Against Attorney

The Oregon Supreme Court dismissed a professional conduct complaint against attorney Anne-Marie Clark, who had been charged with knowingly disobeying a court order while serving as trustee of a special needs trust. The case involved allegations that Clark violated court rules by failing to make monthly electronic deposits.

•Original charge involved alleged violation of Rule 3.4(c) for knowingly disobeying a verbal court order

•Supreme Court of Guam reviewed convictions for aggravated assault and firearm possession in drive-by shooting case

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam High Court Reviews Evidence Destruction in Drive-By Shooting Case

The Supreme Court of Guam issued an opinion in *People of Guam v. Jared John Santos*, addressing whether destroyed security video evidence affected the defendant's convictions for aggravated assault and unlawful firearm possession. The case involved a drive-by shooting in Hågat where crucial video evidence was lost before trial.

•Central issue involved destroyed security video evidence that allegedly showed events before the shooting

•Oregon Supreme Court reversed conviction, ruling on whether grabbing a keycard constitutes "physical force" for robbery charges

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Reverses Robbery Conviction, Defines Physical Force

The Oregon Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision in State v. Williams, ruling on whether grabbing a keycard from someone's hand constitutes "physical force" for third-degree robbery charges. The court partially reversed the circuit court judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings.

•Case clarifies third-degree robbery statute requirements under Oregon law

Supreme Court of South Dakota

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules in Credit Card Referral Fee Dispute

The South Dakota Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in LJP Consulting LLC v. Vervent, Inc., partially affirming and partially reversing a lower court decision in a dispute over referral fees for credit card business servicing agreements.

•South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed lower court ruling in commercial referral fee dispute

•Case involves LJP Consulting's 3% referral fees for credit card servicing business referred to Total Card Inc. since 2014

•Supreme Court of Guam issued opinion in criminal appeal involving multiple serious charges

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Rules in People v. Martinez Criminal Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam issued an opinion in People of Guam v. Brian Jason Martinez, a criminal appeal involving charges stemming from a police chase and crash. The defendant, who also uses the names Brenda Joyce Martinez and Joyce, was convicted on multiple charges including theft of automobile and drug possession.

•Defendant faced theft of automobile, drug possession, eluding police, and other charges