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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
Supreme Court of New Jersey

N.J. Supreme Court Reviews Jury Instructions in Murder Case

The New Jersey Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision in State v. Michael Owens, examining whether trial courts must instruct juries on passion/provocation manslaughter as a lesser-included offense without defense counsel's request and whether domestic assault evidence should be separated from murder charges.

•New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed whether trial courts must give passion/provocation manslaughter jury instructions without defense counsel's request
•Appellate Division ruled evidence must "jump off the proverbial page" to require sua sponte lesser-included offense instructions
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Child Murder Conviction After Miranda Challenge

The Georgia Supreme Court rejected Jikevious Scott's appeal of his life sentence for felony murder and child cruelty in the death of his child Jayce Bell. Scott had argued his statements to police should have been suppressed due to Miranda rights violations.

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Jikevious Scott's conviction for felony murder and child cruelty in death of his child Jayce Bell
•Scott's appeal argued police statements should have been suppressed due to Miranda rights violations
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Denies Murder Defendant's Plea Withdrawal Appeal

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's denial of Cornelius Murray's motion to withdraw his guilty plea for the 2021 murder of Willie Jacox. Murray had argued his plea was not knowing and voluntary and that his counsel was deficient.

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed trial court's denial of Murray's motion to withdraw his guilty plea for 2021 murder
•Murray argued his plea was not knowing and voluntary and that his counsel was ineffective
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Consolidates Tax Appeals from Research Companies

The Hawaii Supreme Court has consolidated multiple tax appeal cases involving research companies challenging state tax assessments. The consolidated proceedings include appeals from PM & AM Research, Inc., Big Island Science Center, LLC, and Whale Watchers, LLC against the State of Hawaii.

•Hawaii Supreme Court consolidated four tax appeal cases involving research companies challenging state tax assessments
•Appeals include PM & AM Research, Inc., Big Island Science Center, LLC, and Whale Watchers, LLC as petitioners against the State of Hawaii
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Consolidates Four Corporate Tax Appeals

The Hawaii Supreme Court accepted applications for writs of certiorari in four consolidated corporate tax appeal cases on January 5, 2026. The cases involve PM & AM Research, Inc., Big Island Science Center, LLC, and Whale Watchers, LLC challenging state tax assessments.

•Hawaii Supreme Court consolidated four corporate tax appeals involving three companies challenging state assessments
•PM & AM Research, Inc. filed two separate appeals while Big Island Science Center, LLC and Whale Watchers, LLC each filed one
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State Court
•2 min read
Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Consolidates Four Research Company Tax Appeals

The Hawaii Supreme Court has consolidated four tax appeal cases involving research organizations challenging state tax assessments. The cases, filed January 5, 2026, involve PM & AM Research Inc., Big Island Science Center LLC, and Whale Watchers LLC in disputes with the State of Hawaii.

•Four tax appeal cases involving research companies have been consolidated by the Hawaii Supreme Court
•PM & AM Research Inc. appears in two separate appeals against state tax determinations
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State Court
•2 min read
Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Orders Unsealing of Medical Malpractice Case

The Hawaii Supreme Court granted a mandamus petition from Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest to unseal court records in a civil case involving plastic surgery defendants. The case highlights tensions between court transparency and privacy in medical litigation.

•Hawaii Supreme Court granted mandamus petition to unseal court records in medical malpractice case
•Case involved plastic surgery defendants including Dr. S. Lawrence Schlesinger and related business entities
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Gang Murder Convictions in Fatal 2021 Shooting

The Georgia Supreme Court on January 5, 2026, upheld the murder convictions of three men who were found guilty of killing two people and injuring two others in a gang-related shooting. Terrence Upshaw, Roderick Glanton, and Homer Upshaw were convicted under Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act along with multiple counts of malice murder and aggravated assault.

•Three defendants convicted of double murder and gang charges in June 2021 shooting that killed Saiveon Pugh and Jesse Ransom
•Georgia Supreme Court rejected challenges to admission of prior criminal offense evidence under Gang Act
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in 2014 Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Travis Smith in the 2014 shooting death of Cortez Dowell. Smith challenged evidence admission and claimed ineffective counsel but the state's highest court rejected his appeal.

•Travis Smith's murder conviction and life sentence affirmed by Georgia Supreme Court
•Smith was convicted in 2014 shooting death of Cortez Dowell and sentenced to life without parole
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State Court
•4 min read
Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Sellers Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Christopher Sellers, who was sentenced to life without parole for the 2019 shooting death of Thedarious Mitchell in DeKalb County. The court rejected Sellers' arguments challenging the sufficiency of evidence and jury instructions.

•Christopher Sellers' life sentence without parole affirmed for 2019 murder of Thedarious Mitchell
•Georgia Supreme Court rejected challenges to evidence sufficiency and jury instructions
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