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State Court

State court decisions and legal developments across all 50 states and territories. Coverage spans state supreme courts, appellate courts, and significant trial court rulings on family law, property, criminal justice, and more.

State Court
•4 min read
Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Supreme Court Rejects McDonald Habeas Petition on Parole Rules

The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a habeas corpus petition filed by Dewitt McDonald, who challenged his continued incarceration despite serving his minimum sentence. The court clarified that completing a minimum prison term under an indeterminate sentence guarantees only parole eligibility, not automatic release.

•Ohio Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of McDonald's habeas corpus petition challenging continued incarceration
•Court clarified that indeterminate sentences guarantee only parole eligibility, not automatic release after minimum term
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction in 2019 Shooting Death

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Eureon Phillips's conviction for felony murder in the 2019 shooting death of Tiffany Valkoun. Phillips was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a DeKalb County jury found him guilty on seven of eight counts.

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Eureon Phillips's felony murder conviction in 2019 shooting death
•Phillips sentenced to life without parole plus additional concurrent and consecutive sentences
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Reviews Ineffective Counsel Claim in Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court decided Franklin v. State on January 21, 2026, reviewing Marco Franklin's appeal of his felony murder conviction in connection with the 2018 shooting death of Jamarco Royal. Franklin argues his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance, challenging convictions that resulted in a life sentence.

•Marco Franklin convicted of felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and firearm possession in 2018 shooting death of Jamarco Royal
•Case required retrial after initial mistrial in March 2022, with conviction following September 2022 proceedings
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Life Sentence in Emanuel County Murder

The Georgia Supreme Court upheld the felony murder conviction and life sentence without parole for John Lorenzo Dickerson in the 2016 shooting death of Bernie Givens. The court decided the appeal on January 21, 2026, after Dickerson challenged evidence admissibility and jury instructions.

•Dickerson received life without parole for felony murder plus additional consecutive sentences
•Jury acquitted on malice murder but convicted on felony murder and related charges
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State Court
•5 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Reviews Burns Murder Conviction Appeal

The Georgia Supreme Court decided Burns v. State on January 21, 2026, addressing Anthony Alexander Burns' appeal of his 2024 felony murder conviction in the death of Howard Winning. Burns challenges the constitutional sufficiency of evidence and argues the trial court committed multiple procedural errors.

•Burns was sentenced to life without parole for felony murder after jury convicted him on two felony murder counts but deadlocked on malice murder
•Burns' four prior felony convictions led to enhanced recidivist sentencing under Georgia law
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Denies Plastic Surgery Center's Reconsideration Motion

The Hawaii Supreme Court denied a motion for reconsideration filed by a plastic surgery practice and its doctor in a public records case brought by the Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest. The court found no overlooked legal or factual issues warranting review.

•Hawaii Supreme Court denied reconsideration motion by plastic surgery practice in public records case
•Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest brought original proceeding against circuit court judge
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of South Carolina

South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Automated Eye Exams

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that upholds the state's Eye Care Consumer Protection Law, which prohibits eye doctors from prescribing glasses or contact lenses based solely on automated equipment testing. The decision represents a setback for Opternative, Inc., a telehealth company that challenged the law as violating constitutional rights.

•South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed lower court ruling upholding Eye Care Consumer Protection Law
•Law prohibits prescribing glasses or contact lenses based solely on automated equipment testing
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Chester Water Authority Trust Appeal

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2025 on a complex trust dispute involving the Chester Water Authority, consolidating eight related cases that originated in Delaware County's Orphans' Court. The appeals stem from Commonwealth Court decisions that reversed lower court rulings in 2021.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals involving Chester Water Authority Trust dispute in May 2025
•Eight related cases consolidated from Delaware County Orphans' Court proceedings that began in 2019
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Chester Water Authority Trust Case

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 14, 2025, in a complex dispute involving the Chester Water Authority Trust. The case consolidated eight separate appeals that have moved through multiple court levels since 2019.

•Eight consolidated appeals demonstrate the broad scope and complexity of the Chester Water Authority Trust dispute
•The case has traveled through three levels of Pennsylvania courts since 2019, indicating significant legal complexity
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Standing in Casino Gaming Dispute

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has standing to challenge the state Racing Commission's approval of Running Aces Casino's plan to add electronic table games. The case centers on whether the casino expansion violates state gambling laws and tribal-state compacts.

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed tribal standing to challenge racetrack gambling expansions
•Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can proceed with challenge to Running Aces electronic table games
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