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•Chief Justice gains authority to temporarily reassign circuit, district, and retired judges across different Arkansas courts and judicial circuits

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Finalizes Rules for Statewide Judge Assignments

The Arkansas Supreme Court permanently adopted Administrative Order No. 16, expanding the Chief Justice's authority to temporarily reassign circuit, district, and retired judges across different courts and judicial circuits throughout the state. The order took effect Jan. 29 after completing a public comment period.

•Sitting circuit judges can now serve in judicial circuits other than where they were elected or appointed

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of Lawsuit Against State's Attorney

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a district court's dismissal of Mitchell Sanderson's lawsuit against Walsh County State's Attorney Kelley Cole, upholding both the court's jurisdictional rulings and the award of attorney's fees. Sanderson had challenged the court's jurisdiction and argued that prosecutorial immunity was misapplied.

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of complaint against Walsh County State's Attorney

•Court rejected multiple jurisdictional challenges raised by plaintiff Mitchell Sanderson

West Virginia Supreme Court

3w ago•5 min read

WV Supreme Court Affirms Parental Rights Termination for Seven Children

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights to all seven of her children following allegations of homelessness, substance abuse, and educational neglect. The January 29, 2026 memorandum decision rejected the mother's appeal of the Mason County Circuit Court's March 2025 termination order.

•West Virginia Supreme Court affirmed termination of mother's parental rights to seven children

•DHS petition alleged homelessness, substance abuse, educational neglect, and domestic violence exposure

West Virginia Supreme Court

WV Supreme Court Upholds Termination of Mother's Parental Rights

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed a circuit court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights after she tested positive for multiple illegal substances just five months after being reunited with her child. The mother had argued she deserved another improvement period.

•Mother tested positive for multiple illegal substances including methamphetamine and fentanyl just five months after being reunited with her child

•Child lived in unsanitary conditions with trash, dog feces, mold, and roaches, and lacked proper sleeping arrangements

West Virginia Supreme Court

West Virginia High Court Affirms Termination of Father's Parental Rights

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals upheld a circuit court's decision to terminate a father's parental rights to three children following a domestic violence incident that caused severe injuries to an infant. The court rejected the father's claim that he should have received an improvement period before termination.

•West Virginia Supreme Court affirmed termination of father's parental rights to three children

•Case involved domestic violence that caused infant to suffer three skull fractures and brain injuries

•Alaska Supreme Court issued consolidated memorandum opinion in child welfare appeals on January 28, 2026

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Child Services Appeals in Consolidated Case

The Alaska Supreme Court issued a memorandum opinion on January 28, 2026, in consolidated appeals by parents Jeremiah H. and Jocelyn H. challenging the State's Office of Children's Services. The cases originated from Palmer Superior Court and involved emergency custody proceedings related to domestic violence and substance abuse concerns.

•Two parents challenged Office of Children's Services emergency custody decisions involving domestic violence and substance abuse concerns

Supreme Court of South Dakota

SD Supreme Court Issues Split Ruling in Walton Medical Malpractice Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed a circuit court decision in *Walton v. Huron Regional Medical Center*, a medical malpractice case involving allegations of hypoxic brain injury from opioid treatment. The mixed ruling represents a significant development in state healthcare liability law.

•South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and reversed circuit court decision in medical malpractice case

•Case involved allegations of hypoxic brain injury from opioid administration and inadequate monitoring

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Appeals in Derrick Walker Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals on March 5, 2025, in three criminal cases involving defendant Derrick Walker. The state's highest court is reviewing Superior Court decisions that affirmed Walker's 2022 convictions from Philadelphia County.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals in three criminal cases involving Derrick Walker

•Superior Court previously affirmed Walker's 2022 Philadelphia County convictions in November 2023

•Corwyn Brown received mandatory life sentence in 1995 under habitual criminal law after third Class X felony conviction

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Weighs Retroactive Juvenile Sentencing Reforms

The Illinois Supreme Court issued an opinion in People v. Brown addressing whether 2021 legislative reforms limiting life sentences for habitual criminals can apply retroactively to defendants whose first qualifying felony occurred as juveniles. The case involves Corwyn Brown, who received a mandatory life sentence in 1995 after his third Class X felony conviction.

•Brown's first qualifying felony occurred when he was 17 years old