Verdict . News

•Supreme Court of Guam ruled on appeal involving development corporations

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Hears Corporate Development Dispute Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam heard oral arguments in a complex business litigation case involving Goodwind Development Corporation and two other companies. The appeal centers on statute of limitations issues and procedural errors in the lower court's dismissal of claims.

•Case challenged trial court's handling of statute of limitations waivers in promissory notes

•Oregon Supreme Court reversed conviction for grabbing motel keycard without other contact

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Reverses Robbery Conviction in Keycard Grab Case

The Oregon Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision and partially overturned a circuit court judgment in State v. Williams, involving whether grabbing a motel keycard constitutes "physical force" under third-degree robbery law. The case centers on defendant Joshua Brandon Williams, whose conviction stemmed from taking a keycard without otherwise touching or threatening a guest.

•Case examines whether minimal physical contact constitutes "physical force" under robbery law

•Florida Supreme Court ruled sperm donors don't automatically lose parental rights in at-home artificial insemination cases

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court: Sperm Donors Don't Auto-Lose Parental Rights

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Dec. 30 that men who provide sperm for at-home artificial insemination do not automatically relinquish all parental rights and obligations by operation of law. The court quashed a Second District Court of Appeal decision that had held otherwise.

•Court quashed Second District Court of Appeal decision that had ruled against donor Angel Rivera's paternal rights claim

•Florida Supreme Court ruled municipal police can conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Rules Police Can Conduct DUI Tests Outside Jurisdiction

The Florida Supreme Court ruled December 30 that municipal police officers have authority to conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits. The court reversed a lower court decision that had suppressed evidence in State of Florida v. Bryan Allen Repple.

•Decision resolves conflict between Fifth and Sixth District Courts of Appeal

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Rules Wage Theft Law Doesn't Cover Commissions

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the state's wage theft statute does not extend protections to commission-based compensation, reversing a Court of Appeals decision that had broadened the law's scope. The December 30, 2025 decision in *Groundworks Operations v. Campbell* involved five former construction company employees who claimed unpaid commissions under Virginia Code § 40.1-29.

•Virginia Supreme Court ruled wage theft statute Code § 40.1-29 does not cover commissions, only wages and salaries

•Decision reverses Court of Appeals ruling that had extended wage theft protections to commission-based pay

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Reviews Malpractice Statute of Limitations

The Virginia Supreme Court issued a decision in *Cothran v. Jauregui*, addressing whether the continuing treatment rule extends the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. The case involves allegations that an OB/GYN failed to properly investigate breast cancer symptoms during pregnancy visits.

•Virginia Supreme Court ruled on whether continuing treatment rule extends statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims

•Patient alleged OB/GYN dismissed breast lump concerns during multiple pregnancy visits in 2018, later diagnosed as cancer

•FDA released congressionally mandated report under 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act evaluating PFAS in cosmetics

Regulatory

Dec 29, 2025•4 min read

FDA Report Finds Insufficient Data on PFAS Safety in Cosmetics

The FDA released a congressionally mandated report under the 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act finding insufficient data to determine the safety of PFAS chemicals in cosmetic products. The report highlights significant gaps in safety information for these persistent chemicals commonly used in beauty and personal care products.

•Agency found insufficient data to determine safety of PFAS chemicals in beauty and personal care products

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct against Derick James Simmons

Dec 29, 2025•4 min read

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Upholds Sexual Assault Convictions Against Simmons

The Supreme Court of Guam affirmed the convictions of Derick James Simmons on five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving minors. The court rejected Simmons's arguments about jury instructions, hearsay evidence, and juror bias in the closely watched criminal appeal.

•Defense challenges included jury instruction objections, hearsay evidence disputes, and claims of juror bias

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed guardianship of three children to state department after infant suffered suspicious arm fracture

Dec 29, 2025•4 min read

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Affirms Child Guardianship in Abuse Case

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision granting the Department of Public Health and Human Services guardianship of three children after finding evidence of child abuse. The December 29 ruling rejected the mother's appeal challenging the state's custody determination.

•Mother's appeal challenged court findings on reasonable reunification efforts and parental fitness standards