Verdict . News

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed habeas relief for Tamara Nicole Weaver, convicted in 2014 of child abuse charges

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Habeas Relief for Child Abuse Conviction

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a habeas corpus grant for Tamara Nicole Weaver, who was convicted in 2014 of child abuse charges. The court found her trial attorney provided ineffective assistance due to a conflict of interest from representing her co-defendant husband in the same case.

•Trial attorney's conflict of interest from representing co-defendant husband constituted ineffective assistance

•Nebraska Supreme Court ruled appellate courts cannot disturb sentences within statutory limits absent abuse of discretion

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Reaffirms Trial Judge Discretion in Sentencing

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Thursday in *State v. Rejai* that appellate courts cannot disturb criminal sentences within statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion by trial judges. The decision reinforces established standards for reviewing allegedly excessive sentences on appeal.

•Court defined abuse of discretion as decisions based on untenable reasoning or actions clearly against justice

•Court establishes that statutory use of 'may' creates presumption of discretionary rather than mandatory action

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Sentencing Discretion Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Jackson on January 2, 2026, establishing important precedent regarding trial court discretion in probationary matters and sentencing appeals. The decision clarifies when statutory language creates discretionary versus mandatory authority and sets standards for identifying abuse of discretion.

•Trial courts retain broad discretion over probationary matters with limited appellate review

•Idaho Supreme Court vacated district court judgment and ordered case remanded to reinstate original findings

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Vacates Judgment in Construction Contract Dispute

The Idaho Supreme Court vacated a district court judgment in Ward v. Bishop Construction, LLC, ordering the case remanded to reinstate original findings in a breach of contract dispute involving the Idaho Contractor Registration Act. The case centered on whether an unregistered contractor could recover payment for construction services performed across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

•Dispute involved breach of contract claim where Joel Ward sought $12,443.54 from Bishop Construction for unpaid services

•Montana Supreme Court dismissed ethics case against Attorney General Austin Knudsen stemming from 2021 judicial appointment dispute

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Dismisses Ethics Case Against AG Austin Knudsen

The Montana Supreme Court dismissed disciplinary proceedings against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who faced 41 counts of professional misconduct for allegedly making inappropriate accusations against Supreme Court justices during a 2021 legislative dispute over judicial appointments.

•Knudsen faced 41 counts of professional misconduct for allegedly making inappropriate accusations against Supreme Court justices

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds City Authority in Orono Election Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Dec. 31 in *Dennis Walsh v. City of Orono* that statutory cities have clear authority to call special elections for council vacancies and that election challenge statutes properly apply to municipal election disputes.

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed statutory cities' authority to call special elections for council vacancies under state law

•Court ruled that election challenge statutes properly apply to municipal election disputes involving city duties

•This marks Nina T.'s second unsuccessful appeal of supervised visitation requirements established in 2021

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Denies Mother's Second Appeal for Child Visitation

The Alaska Supreme Court has denied a mother's second appeal seeking unsupervised visitation rights with her child in *Nina T. v. Michael P.* The December 31, 2025 memorandum opinion upholds a superior court's decision maintaining supervised visitation requirements that were established in a 2021 custody order following domestic violence findings.

•The original custody order was based on findings of domestic violence and felony custodial interference

•Hawaii Supreme Court accepted Ashley Vincent Gaeta's petition for writ of certiorari on Dec. 31, 2025

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Accepts Appeal on Plea Agreement Validity

The Hawaii Supreme Court has accepted a writ of certiorari in *State v. Gaeta*, scheduling oral arguments to examine critical questions about plea agreement validity and procedural fairness in criminal cases. The case centers on whether plea agreements allowing consideration of certain facts comply with constitutional due process requirements.

•Court ordered supplemental briefing on plea agreement procedures and fact consideration protocols

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Reverses Denial of Father's Visitation Modification

The North Dakota Supreme Court reversed a lower court's denial of Kyle Wardner's motion to modify a foreign visitation order involving his child with deceased Canadian mother Tamara Porath. The case highlights complex jurisdictional issues in international child custody disputes.

•North Dakota Supreme Court reversed district court denial of father's motion to modify foreign visitation order

•Case involves cross-border custody dispute between North Dakota father and Canadian family members