Verdict . News

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Oct 14, 2025•4 min read

Massachusetts Supreme Court Affirms Attorney Disbarment Despite Duress Claims

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has affirmed the disbarment of attorney Benjamin Behnam Tariri, rejecting his claims that his original consent to disbarment was obtained through duress and coercion. The court's October 2025 decision marks the end of Tariri's attempts to overturn his June 2023 disbarment.

•Tariri was disbarred in June 2023 after consenting to the disciplinary action but immediately attempted to appeal

•His initial appeal was dismissed as untimely, prompting him to file a civil procedure motion claiming duress and coercion

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Oct 14, 2025•4 min read

Massachusetts High Court Reviews Self-Defense in Transferred Intent Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing Commonwealth v. Kenneth Jose Santana-Rodriguez, a homicide case where the defendant claims self-defense after fatally shooting an innocent bystander while aiming at another person who allegedly threatened him. The case raises complex questions about transferred intent and self-defense law.

•Supreme Judicial Court granted rare direct appellate review, bypassing Appeals Court

•Defendant claims self-defense after fatally shooting innocent bystander while aiming at alleged threat

•Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstated attorney Steven D. Johnson despite his failure to disclose receiving a public reprimand during reinstatement proceedings

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wisconsin Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Despite Undisclosed Ethics Violation

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has reinstated attorney Steven D. Johnson's law license following a six-month suspension, despite discovering that Johnson failed to disclose receiving a public reprimand during his reinstatement proceedings. The court cautioned future litigants against similar nondisclosure.

•Both Johnson and the Office of Lawyer Regulation failed to inform referee about the consensual public reprimand

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Dilloun Rademacher

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has issued an emergency order temporarily suspending attorney Dilloun Rademacher from practicing law, effective immediately. The Court also appointed Chief Disciplinary Counsel as Special Master to take possession of client files following disciplinary proceedings.

•Rhode Island Supreme Court temporarily suspended attorney Dilloun Rademacher on July 29, 2025, following an emergency petition

•Chief Disciplinary Counsel was appointed as Special Master to secure client files and protect clients' interests

•Kansas Supreme Court ruled state name display not required on license plates except registration decals

Supreme Court of Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court: State Name Not Required on License Plates

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that state law does not require the display of the state name on license plates except on registration decals. The court reversed lower court decisions in State v. Beck, emphasizing that courts should not read requirements into statutes that are not explicitly stated.

•Court reversed lower court decisions in State v. Beck using plain meaning statutory interpretation

•Supreme Court of Guam vacated Jesse Pinaula's felony convictions for firearm and drug possession

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Vacates Conviction in Firearm Case Due to Evidence Error

The Supreme Court of Guam vacated Jesse Junior Quintanilla Pinaula's felony convictions for firearm and drug possession after finding the trial court improperly admitted prejudicial evidence about his pretrial release status and pending criminal matter.

•Trial court improperly admitted evidence of defendant's pretrial release status and pending criminal matter

•Washington Supreme Court reviewed case of first impression on tribal sovereign immunity in property disputes

Oct 9, 2025•4 min read

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Addresses Tribal Immunity in Property Dispute

The Washington Supreme Court issued an en banc ruling in Flying T Ranch, Inc. v. Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, examining whether tribal sovereign immunity applies when a federally recognized tribe purchases nonreservation land claimed by a corporation through adverse possession.

•Flying T Ranch claimed adverse possession of land later purchased by federally recognized Stillaguamish Tribe

•California Supreme Court ruled 5-2 on Three Strikes Reform Act application to life sentences

Oct 9, 2025•4 min read

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Rules on Three Strikes Resentencing Relief

The California Supreme Court issued a ruling in People v. Superior Court (Guevara) addressing the application of the Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012 to defendants serving life sentences under the original Three Strikes law. The 5-2 decision clarifies when defendants convicted of nonserious, nonviolent third strike offenses can seek resentencing relief.

•Edgardo Ortiz Guevara was denied resentencing relief due to public safety concerns in 2013

•Washington Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision denying CR 60(b)(11) relief

Oct 9, 2025•4 min read

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Reverses on Civil Rule 60(b)(11) Relief Standards

The Washington Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision and granted extraordinary relief under Civil Rule 60(b)(11) in *Luv v. West Coast Servicing, Inc.*, ruling that a series of legal mistakes and trial court errors justified relief from judgment. The en banc decision, filed October 9, 2025, clarifies when parties can seek relief from final judgments under the state's civil rules.

•Trial court's erroneous application of law, combined with other legal mistakes, justified extraordinary relief from judgment