Verdict . News

•Court reaffirmed that continuance decisions in criminal cases rest within trial court discretion and require abuse of discretion for reversal

Nov 14, 2025•4 min read

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Rules on Criminal Continuance Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Dawn on November 14, 2025, clarifying the standards for granting continuances in criminal cases and defining abuse of discretion parameters for trial courts.

•Supreme Court defined abuse of discretion as decisions based on untenable or unreasonable grounds clearly against justice and evidence

Regulatory

•Federal Reserve issued new enforcement action against former Commerce Bank employee

Fed Issues Action Against Ex-Commerce Bank Employee, Ends Foreign Bank Cases

The Federal Reserve Board announced enforcement action against a former Commerce Bank employee while terminating previous enforcement proceedings against Société Générale S.A. and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. The moves reflect ongoing regulatory oversight and resolution of compliance matters.

•Enforcement proceedings terminated against Société Générale and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

•Utah Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision that would have granted new sentencing for Franklin James

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Reverses Appeals Ruling on Plea Deal Sentencing

The Utah Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision that would have required new sentencing for Franklin James, who received prison time despite a plea agreement recommending probation. The high court rejected adopting federal precedent that automatically grants relief when defendants aren't invited to speak before sentencing.

•Court rejected adopting federal precedent automatically granting relief when defendants aren't invited to speak before sentencing

•Trial courts must meaningfully consider a defendant's youth when specifically requested during resentencing proceedings

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court: Judges Must Consider Youth in Adult Resentencing

The Washington Supreme Court ruled that trial judges must meaningfully consider a defendant's youth when requested during resentencing proceedings. The decision in State v. Ellis involves an 18-year-old defendant who committed a serious crime in 2008 and later became eligible for full resentencing.

•The case involved an 18-year-old defendant who became eligible for full resentencing after his offender score was reduced

•Appeal waivers function like contract provisions and only bar appeals within their defined scope

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court Limits Criminal Appeal Waivers in Sentencing Cases

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled in Anderson v. State that criminal defendants can challenge certain sentences even after signing comprehensive appeal waivers. The court held that appeal waivers only bar challenges within their scope and cannot prevent appeals of 'illegal' sentences that fall outside statutory ranges or violate constitutional protections.

•Even comprehensive waivers cannot prevent challenges to 'illegal' sentences outside statutory ranges or violating constitutional protections

•Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals cannot revoke conditional use permits 11 months after approval based on claimed legal error

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court Bars Zoning Boards from Revoking Approved Permits

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled that local zoning boards cannot revoke conditional use permits months after approval based on claims of legal error. The November 13, 2025 decision in Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals v. Bedford Recycling, Inc. establishes important precedent limiting municipal authority to reverse zoning decisions.

•Indiana Supreme Court ruled zoning boards lack inherent or common law authority to reconsider final orders without statutory authorization

•Labor Commission Appeals Board found Salt Lake County retaliated against Theresa Christensen for sexual harassment complaint

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Anti-Discrimination Case Against Salt Lake County

The Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion in *Christensen v. Labor Commission*, affirming that Salt Lake County retaliated against employee Theresa Christensen after she complained about sexual harassment. The case addresses workers' compensation appeals and attorney fees under the Utah Antidiscrimination Act.

•Board awarded compensation for damages but denied statutory attorney fees request

•Utah Supreme Court reviewed murder conviction where defendant claimed self-defense after shooting unarmed man

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Reviews Self-Defense Instructions in Murder Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Hunt, examining whether a trial court properly instructed jurors on self-defense theories. Jonathan Hunt was convicted of murder after shooting an unarmed man, claiming he believed the victim was reaching for a weapon.

•Trial court refused defendant's requested instruction that apparent danger, not actual danger, suffices for self-defense

Supreme Court of South Dakota

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

South Dakota Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Tucker Volesky for 30 Days

The South Dakota Supreme Court suspended attorney Tucker Volesky's law license for 30 days and placed him on probation after finding he violated professional conduct rules in lawsuit handling and trust account management. The discipline follows formal proceedings initiated by the State Bar's Disciplinary Board.

•South Dakota Supreme Court suspended Tucker Volesky's law license for 30 days with at least six months probation

•Violations involved improper handling of lawsuits and law firm trust account management