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State Court

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Affirms Child Neglect Conviction in Fourth Amendment Case

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the criminal conviction of Shantel Rose Lais for child neglect and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, rejecting her Fourth Amendment challenge to evidence obtained during a law enforcement search. The court relied on a companion case decided the same day to deny her suppression motion.

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed conviction for child neglect and drug paraphernalia possession

•Court rejected Fourth Amendment challenge claiming illegal search of area with reasonable expectation of privacy

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Issues Summary Order in Catholic Abuse Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on Jan. 29, 2026, in a case involving two anonymous plaintiffs suing multiple Catholic organizations for alleged abuse. The case, *Doe 2 v. Congregation of the Sacred Hearts*, includes claims against four Catholic institutions.

•Second Circuit issued summary order in case involving two Jane Doe plaintiffs against Catholic organizations

•Four Catholic institutions named as defendants-appellees including Sacred Hearts Congregation and Fall River Diocese

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Issues Summary Order in Multi-State CFPB Case vs. Fidelis

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on Jan. 29, 2026, in consolidated cases involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and seven state attorneys general against Fidelis Legal Support Services. The appeal represents a major multi-state consumer protection enforcement action.

•Second Circuit issued summary order Jan. 29, 2026, in consolidated consumer protection case

•CFPB and seven state attorneys general brought enforcement action against Fidelis Legal Support Services

North Dakota Supreme Court

State Court

3w ago•5 min read

ND Supreme Court Upholds Felon Firearm Conviction After Jury Challenge

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Deyan Robert Luetzen for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The high court rejected his arguments that the trial court erred in jury instructions about possession and that insufficient evidence proved the weapon met statutory firearm definitions.

•North Dakota Supreme Court unanimously affirmed conviction for unlawful firearm possession by felon

•Defendant challenged jury instructions on possession definition under amended state firearms statutes

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Reverses Qualified Immunity for Monroe County Deputies

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on an excessive force case involving Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, reversing a district court's qualified immunity determination after a jury found officers used excessive force during a 2018 arrest.

•Second Circuit reviewed qualified immunity determination after jury found excessive force by two Monroe County Sheriff's deputies

•Case stems from February 2018 arrest where officers used fist strikes, pepper spray, and taser on Christopher Matusak

State Court

North Dakota Supreme Court

North Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Unlicensed Practice Conviction

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the criminal conviction of Mandy Deann Olson for practicing law without a license after she filed legal motions on behalf of an incarcerated defendant. The unanimous decision upholds strict enforcement of legal licensing requirements.

•Mandy Olson was convicted of practicing law without a license after filing legal motions for incarcerated defendant Eric Grewe

•The North Dakota Supreme Court unanimously affirmed her conviction in case No. 20250264

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms SC Juvenile Justice System in Civil Rights Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in a civil rights lawsuit brought by the NAACP, Disability Rights South Carolina, and Justice 360. The January 29, 2026 decision represents a significant setback for advocates seeking reforms to the state's juvenile justice system.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice

•Civil rights organizations including NAACP challenged juvenile justice practices on constitutional grounds

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Considers En Banc Review of State Farm Class Action

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reviewing a petition for en banc rehearing in a class action lawsuit against State Farm Automobile Insurance Company. The case, originally filed in Tennessee federal court, involves policyholder Jessica Clippinger and raises questions about auto insurance practices.

•Sixth Circuit considers en banc review petition in State Farm class action lawsuit

•Case involves auto insurance dispute with potential nationwide implications

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•5 min read

Sixth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Delta Air Lines in Race Bias Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has upheld a district court's summary judgment in favor of Delta Air Lines and two employees in a race discrimination lawsuit filed by former flight attendant Jacqueline Meadows under Title VII and Michigan civil rights law.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for Delta Air Lines in race discrimination case

•Former flight attendant Jacqueline Meadows alleged discrimination under Title VII and Michigan civil rights law