Verdict . News

•Idaho Supreme Court affirmed district court decision rejecting taxpayer challenge to Harris Ranch Community Infrastructure District No. 1

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms District Court in Harris Ranch Tax Dispute

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a lower court decision in a challenge brought by taxpayers against the Harris Ranch Community Infrastructure District No. 1. The case involved disputes over the district's authority and operations, with individual taxpayers and a nonprofit association challenging district board members.

•Case involved individual taxpayers and nonprofit association challenging district board members' authority and operations

•Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed claims against Deutsche Bank's attorneys in foreclosure case

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Dismisses Claims Against Lender's Attorneys

The Hawaii Supreme Court has dismissed claims against Deutsche Bank's attorneys in a foreclosure-related lawsuit filed by Michael C. Greenspon. The case involves multiple defendants including Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, and law firm Dentons US LLP in connection with a 2010 nonjudicial foreclosure of a Maui property.

•Case involves 2010 nonjudicial foreclosure of Maui property purchased by plaintiff in 2003

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Housing Bias Lawsuit

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a Superior Court's dismissal of a $200,000 lawsuit filed by tenant Fatima Touijer against the Providence Housing Authority and manager Aida Bello. The case was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds without prejudice.

•Tenant sought $200,000 from Providence Housing Authority over alleged religious discrimination

•Superior Court dismissed case on jurisdictional grounds without prejudice in October 2024

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

6d ago•5 min read

Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Denial of Relief in Child Molestation Case

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has affirmed a Superior Court decision denying Brian Smith's request for declaratory and injunctive relief in connection with his criminal conviction for child molestation. Smith had entered a nolo contendere plea to charges stemming from incidents involving minors.

•Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed denial of post-conviction relief request by Brian Smith

•Smith had pleaded nolo contendere to child molestation charges involving incidents from 2004 and 2014

•Delaware Supreme Court affirmed Family Court decision terminating father's parental rights to two minor children

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Affirms Father's Parental Rights Termination

The Delaware Supreme Court affirmed a Family Court decision terminating Colt Handlon's parental rights to his two minor children. The court rejected constitutional arguments raised for the first time on appeal, finding no plain error in the lower court's ruling.

•Constitutional arguments raised for first time on appeal failed under plain error standard of review

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed vexatious litigant designation for Seth Neil Helgeson following license plate violation case

ND Supreme Court Affirms Vexatious Litigant Order, Sanctions $500

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a district court's designation of Seth Neil Helgeson as a vexatious litigant following his license plate violation case. The court also imposed $500 in sanctions for citing non-existent cases in his appellate brief.

•Court imposed $500 sanction for citing non-existent cases in violation of appellate procedure rules

•Attorney explanations at public meetings do not waive government bodies' executive session rights

North Dakota Supreme Court Rules on School District Executive Session Rights

The North Dakota Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in *Haskell v. Grand Forks Public Schools*, clarifying when government bodies can enter executive sessions while establishing new requirements for courts reviewing open meetings violation claims. The decision protects attorney-client privilege in public meetings but requires more thorough judicial review of executive session disputes.

•Public parties lack due process rights to participate in sealed court reviews of disputed records

6d ago•5 min read

•Court ruled that ICWA compliance is mandatory when courts know or have reason to know an Indian child is involved

North Dakota Supreme Court Reinforces ICWA Requirements in Child Custody Cases

The North Dakota Supreme Court remanded a parental rights termination case, emphasizing that juvenile courts must comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act when there is knowledge or reason to believe an Indian child is involved. The ruling underscores the mandatory nature of initial ICWA inquiries in such proceedings.

•Case was remanded with instructions, indicating the lower court failed to make proper ICWA inquiry

•North Dakota Supreme Court summarily affirmed juvenile court's parental rights termination order under appellate rules 35.1(a)(2) and (4)

North Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Termination of Parental Rights

The North Dakota Supreme Court has summarily affirmed a juvenile court's order terminating a father's parental rights to his child, S.M., in a case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. The high court upheld the Burleigh County Juvenile Court's decision under established appellate rules.

•Case involved father T.B., Jr. appealing termination of rights to child S.M., whose mother R.M. is deceased