Verdict . News

North Dakota Supreme Court

Dec 31, 2025•4 min read

North Dakota Supreme Court Denies Appeal Over Immigration Counsel

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's denial of postconviction relief to Koffi Mande Yi Noum Duffi, a non-citizen who claimed his defense attorney provided incorrect immigration advice before his guilty plea to burglary charges.

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief for non-citizen claiming ineffective immigration counsel

•District court found defendant failed to meet Strickland v. Washington standards for proving ineffective assistance

North Dakota Supreme Court

Dec 31, 2025•2 min read

North Dakota Supreme Court Remands Case Over Plea Documentation Error

The North Dakota Supreme Court remanded a criminal case back to the district court after finding that while both parties agreed the defendant entered a conditional plea, the judgment failed to properly document this fact as required by state criminal rules.

•Both parties agreed defendant entered conditional plea, but judgment failed to document this as required by criminal procedure rules

•Supreme Court remanded case with instructions for district court to clarify and correct the record if necessary

•15 Idaho cities including Idaho Falls and Pocatello challenged the Idaho Department of Water Resources over groundwater distribution

Dec 31, 2025•4 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Rules in Major Municipal Water Rights Dispute

The Idaho Supreme Court issued a ruling on December 31, 2025, in a complex water rights case involving 15 municipalities challenging the Idaho Department of Water Resources over groundwater distribution affecting both municipal and agricultural users.

•Multiple major irrigation districts intervened in the case, highlighting conflicts between municipal and agricultural water users

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed lower court ruling limiting tenant damages in trespass case against property managers

Dec 31, 2025•4 min read

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Landlord Victory in Rental Showing Trespass Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a lower court ruling limiting damages for tenants who sued their property management companies for excessive rental unit showings. The court found only four instances of common law trespass and awarded damages equivalent to three-and-a-half days' rent.

•Court found only four instances of common law trespass despite tenants' claims of excessive rental unit showings

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Firearm Possession Under Protective Orders

The Connecticut Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Enrrique H., addressing the criminal possession of firearms by individuals subject to protective orders. The case involved convictions for both criminal possession of a firearm and criminal violation of a protective order.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided State v. Enrrique H., involving firearm possession under protective orders

•Defendant convicted on conditional pleas for criminal firearm possession and protective order violation

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed 40-year prison sentence for Francisco Padilla-Canales in domestic violence stabbing case

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Affirms 40-Year Prison Sentence in Stabbing Case

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a 40-year prison sentence for Francisco Padilla-Canales, who was convicted of stabbing his estranged wife's romantic partner after breaking into a home in July 2022. The court rejected his claim that his guilty plea was involuntary due to inadequate advisement.

•Padilla-Canales broke into home and stabbed his estranged wife's romantic partner with pocketknife in July 2022

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., sentenced to death for 2015 double murder

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences for James Terry Colley Jr.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., who was sentenced to death for murdering his estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins in 2015. The court also denied Colley's habeas corpus petition in a Dec. 30, 2025 ruling.

•Court rejected Colley's habeas corpus petition challenging his convictions for killing estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins

•Oregon Supreme Court dismissed professional conduct complaint against attorney Anne-Marie Clark

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Dismisses Ethics Complaint Against Attorney

The Oregon Supreme Court dismissed a professional conduct complaint against attorney Anne-Marie Clark, who had been charged with knowingly disobeying a court order while serving as trustee of a special needs trust. The case involved allegations that Clark violated court rules by failing to make monthly electronic deposits.

•Original charge involved alleged violation of Rule 3.4(c) for knowingly disobeying a verbal court order

•Supreme Court of Guam reviewed convictions for aggravated assault and firearm possession in drive-by shooting case

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam High Court Reviews Evidence Destruction in Drive-By Shooting Case

The Supreme Court of Guam issued an opinion in *People of Guam v. Jared John Santos*, addressing whether destroyed security video evidence affected the defendant's convictions for aggravated assault and unlawful firearm possession. The case involved a drive-by shooting in Hågat where crucial video evidence was lost before trial.

•Central issue involved destroyed security video evidence that allegedly showed events before the shooting