Verdict . News

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Walker Criminal Appeal Arguments

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving defendant Derrick Walker, challenging convictions from Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas that were previously affirmed by the Superior Court.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving Derrick Walker

•All three cases originated from Philadelphia County Court convictions entered March 1, 2022

Supreme Court of New Jersey

NJ High Court Extends Federal Civil Rights Timing Rule to State Claims

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that civil rights claims against the state must follow federal timing requirements under Heck v. Humphrey. The decision arose from a case involving a woman on lifetime parole who challenged social media and pornography bans as unconstitutional.

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously applied Heck v. Humphrey timing rule to state civil rights claims

•Case involved constitutional challenge to parole conditions banning social media and pornography access

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Dismisses Civil Rights Case Against Arizona Officials

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro se plaintiff Darius Johnson Bey against the State of Arizona, Phoenix Police Department, and several officials. The unpublished memorandum decision affirmed a lower court's dismissal of claims arising from a traffic stop and subsequent arrest.

•Ninth Circuit dismissed pro se civil rights lawsuit against Arizona officials and Phoenix Police

•Case involved claims under Section 1983 arising from traffic stop and arrest

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms $450K Civil Award for Child Exploitation Victims

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a civil judgment awarding three victims of child sexual exploitation $150,000 each in statutory damages. The case involves Andrew Franklin Kowalczyk, who was previously convicted on nine federal counts of sexual exploitation of children.

•Three victims each awarded maximum $150,000 statutory damages under federal law

•Defendant previously convicted on nine federal child exploitation charges

Supreme Court of South Carolina

SC Supreme Court Affirms Pipeline Permit for Dominion Energy

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed an administrative law court decision allowing Dominion Energy to obtain federal permits for a natural gas pipeline project near the Great Pee Dee River in Florence County. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League had challenged the water quality certification required for the pipeline construction.

•South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed lower court ruling granting Dominion Energy water quality certification for natural gas pipeline near Great Pee Dee River

•Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League's appeal was rejected, allowing the energy company to proceed with federal permitting process

Supreme Court of South Carolina

SC Supreme Court Bars Second Immunity Hearings After Mistrials

The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously reversed a Court of Appeals decision that would have allowed defendants to seek a second immunity hearing under the state's Protection of Persons and Property Act following a mistrial. The ruling clarifies that defendants receive only one opportunity for pre-trial immunity under South Carolina's stand-your-ground law.

•Supreme Court unanimously ruled defendants cannot seek second immunity hearings after mistrials under Protection of Persons and Property Act

•Court held immunity hearings are independent proceedings separate from trial proceedings

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court Orders New Trial in Nightclub Murder Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Jan. 28 that confusing jury instructions warrant a new trial in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from Unity McGill's murder at The Red Carpet Nightclub in St. Cloud. The court rejected the defendant's 'invited error' argument and clarified standards for innkeeper negligence cases.

•Minnesota Supreme Court ordered new trial due to confusing jury instructions in nightclub murder case

•Court rejected 'invited error' defense, allowing plaintiff to challenge problematic instructions on appeal

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Disbarred Attorney's Civil Rights Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit filed by Arthur Edward Ezor, a disbarred California attorney, against the State Bar of California and multiple officials. The unpublished memorandum decision represents another failed attempt by a former attorney to challenge disciplinary proceedings through federal civil rights claims.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit filed by disbarred California attorney Arthur Edward Ezor

•Case involved challenge to California's assessment and collection of debt related to misappropriated client funds

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Vacates Child Sex Abuse Conviction in Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacated Joel Ruiz's conviction for sexual abuse of a minor and remanded the case to the district court. The appeals court found the government failed to establish a key element required for federal jurisdiction in the criminal case.

•Tenth Circuit vacated Joel Ruiz's 30-year federal sentence for sexual abuse of a minor under 12

•Court found government failed to establish defendant's non-Indian status required for federal jurisdiction