Verdict . News

•CFPB published comprehensive report on cash-out refinance mortgage borrower outcomes

Jan 24, 2025•4 min read

CFPB Report: Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance Borrowers See Credit Improvements

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a new report examining financial outcomes for consumers who used cash-out mortgage refinancing. The analysis reveals that these borrowers experienced improvements in their credit scores following the refinancing process.

•Study finds credit score improvements among cash-out refinance borrowers

•Auto repossession rates at end of 2022 exceeded pre-pandemic levels according to CFPB report

Jan 23, 2025•4 min read

CFPB Report: Auto Repossession Rates Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a report showing that auto repossession rates at the end of 2022 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, indicating continued financial stress among vehicle owners despite broader economic recovery.

•More vehicles became eligible for repossession than before COVID-19, indicating consumer financial stress

•CFPB imposed $15 million penalty on Equifax for inadequate dispute investigations

Jan 17, 2025•4 min read

CFPB Fines Equifax $15 Million for Inadequate Credit Dispute Investigations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Equifax to pay $15 million for failing to properly investigate consumer disputes regarding credit reporting errors. The enforcement action addresses the credit bureau's inadequate procedures for handling consumer complaints about inaccuracies.

•Action stems from Equifax's failure to conduct proper reviews of consumer credit reporting disputes

•CFPB filed enforcement action against Draper & Kramer Mortgage for discriminatory lending practices

Jan 17, 2025•4 min read

CFPB Takes Action Against Draper & Kramer for Discriminatory Lending

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has taken enforcement action against Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corporation for allegedly engaging in discriminatory lending practices that discouraged homebuyers from seeking mortgages in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Chicago and Boston metropolitan areas.

•Allegations focus on discouraging mortgage applications in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed denial of motion to quash grand jury subpoena duces tecum in first-impression case

Dec 31, 2024•4 min read

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Affirms Grand Jury Subpoena Power in First-Impression Case

The Supreme Court of Guam ruled that the Superior Court properly denied a motion to quash a grand jury subpoena duces tecum, establishing important precedent for grand jury authority in the territory. The decision marks the first time Guam's highest court has addressed fundamental questions about grand jury proceedings.

•Court established that grand juries in Guam operate under presumption of legitimacy, requiring strong showing to challenge authority

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed AJ Muna Toves' conviction for second-degree robbery with deadly weapon enhancement

Dec 31, 2024•4 min read

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Affirms Robbery Conviction in People v. Toves

The Supreme Court of Guam has upheld the conviction of AJ Muna Toves for second-degree robbery with a deadly weapon enhancement. The court rejected Toves' arguments that insufficient evidence supported his conviction and that the jury should have been instructed on attempted robbery as a lesser included offense.

•Court rejected arguments that insufficient evidence supported conviction and that jury should have received attempted robbery instruction

•Court ruled that attorney statements about potential conflicts don't create conflicts but may reveal existing ones

Aug 30, 2024•4 min read

Supreme Court of Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction, Sets Jury Instruction Rules

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a murder conviction in State v. Z.M., establishing important precedents on conflict of interest standards, aiding and abetting jury instructions, and unanimity requirements in cases with alternative murder theories.

•Affirmed that aiding and abetting instructions don't need to cover every aspect of the doctrine in one discussion

•Defendants who admit to criminal history in presentence reports cannot later challenge those admissions without meeting heightened proof standards

Aug 30, 2024•4 min read

Supreme Court of Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court Sets Criminal History Standards in State v. Daniels

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in State v. Daniels that defendants who admit to their criminal history in presentence investigation reports cannot later challenge those admissions without meeting a heightened burden of proof. The decision clarifies procedural standards for establishing and challenging criminal history during sentencing.

•Kansas law recognizes two distinct procedural stages for criminal history determination under K.S.A. 21-6814

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Jul 24, 2024•4 min read

Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Unjust Enrichment in Cohabitation Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a district court ruling that a property owner would be unjustly enriched if allowed to retain a cabin and furnishings paid for by her former unmarried partner. The July 2024 decision in Hepfl v. Meadowcroft addresses property rights when cohabitating couples separate.

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed district court's unjust enrichment finding in property dispute between former unmarried partners

•Case involved cabin and fixtures paid for by one partner during cohabitation on property owned by the other