Verdict . News

Supreme Court of South Dakota

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules in Credit Card Referral Fee Dispute

The South Dakota Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in LJP Consulting LLC v. Vervent, Inc., partially affirming and partially reversing a lower court decision in a dispute over referral fees for credit card business servicing agreements.

•South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed lower court ruling in commercial referral fee dispute

•Case involves LJP Consulting's 3% referral fees for credit card servicing business referred to Total Card Inc. since 2014

•Supreme Court of Guam issued opinion in criminal appeal involving multiple serious charges

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Rules in People v. Martinez Criminal Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam issued an opinion in People of Guam v. Brian Jason Martinez, a criminal appeal involving charges stemming from a police chase and crash. The defendant, who also uses the names Brenda Joyce Martinez and Joyce, was convicted on multiple charges including theft of automobile and drug possession.

•Defendant faced theft of automobile, drug possession, eluding police, and other charges

•Supreme Court of Guam upheld trial court's decision allowing remote testimony from former Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine in a murder case

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam High Court Reviews Remote Medical Examiner Testimony in Murder Case

The Supreme Court of Guam heard arguments in a murder case appeal challenging the trial court's decision to allow the former Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine to testify remotely from Ohio. Defendant Stefan Keanu Camacho argues this violates his Sixth Amendment confrontation rights.

•Court ruled that Sixth Amendment confrontation rights don't categorically require face-to-face testimony in all circumstances

•Supreme Court of Guam ruled on appeal involving development corporations

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Hears Corporate Development Dispute Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam heard oral arguments in a complex business litigation case involving Goodwind Development Corporation and two other companies. The appeal centers on statute of limitations issues and procedural errors in the lower court's dismissal of claims.

•Case challenged trial court's handling of statute of limitations waivers in promissory notes

•Oregon Supreme Court reversed conviction for grabbing motel keycard without other contact

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Reverses Robbery Conviction in Keycard Grab Case

The Oregon Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision and partially overturned a circuit court judgment in State v. Williams, involving whether grabbing a motel keycard constitutes "physical force" under third-degree robbery law. The case centers on defendant Joshua Brandon Williams, whose conviction stemmed from taking a keycard without otherwise touching or threatening a guest.

•Case examines whether minimal physical contact constitutes "physical force" under robbery law

•Florida Supreme Court ruled sperm donors don't automatically lose parental rights in at-home artificial insemination cases

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court: Sperm Donors Don't Auto-Lose Parental Rights

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Dec. 30 that men who provide sperm for at-home artificial insemination do not automatically relinquish all parental rights and obligations by operation of law. The court quashed a Second District Court of Appeal decision that had held otherwise.

•Court quashed Second District Court of Appeal decision that had ruled against donor Angel Rivera's paternal rights claim

•Florida Supreme Court ruled municipal police can conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Rules Police Can Conduct DUI Tests Outside Jurisdiction

The Florida Supreme Court ruled December 30 that municipal police officers have authority to conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits. The court reversed a lower court decision that had suppressed evidence in State of Florida v. Bryan Allen Repple.

•Decision resolves conflict between Fifth and Sixth District Courts of Appeal

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Rules Wage Theft Law Doesn't Cover Commissions

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the state's wage theft statute does not extend protections to commission-based compensation, reversing a Court of Appeals decision that had broadened the law's scope. The December 30, 2025 decision in *Groundworks Operations v. Campbell* involved five former construction company employees who claimed unpaid commissions under Virginia Code § 40.1-29.

•Virginia Supreme Court ruled wage theft statute Code § 40.1-29 does not cover commissions, only wages and salaries

•Decision reverses Court of Appeals ruling that had extended wage theft protections to commission-based pay

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Reviews Malpractice Statute of Limitations

The Virginia Supreme Court issued a decision in *Cothran v. Jauregui*, addressing whether the continuing treatment rule extends the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. The case involves allegations that an OB/GYN failed to properly investigate breast cancer symptoms during pregnancy visits.

•Virginia Supreme Court ruled on whether continuing treatment rule extends statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims

•Patient alleged OB/GYN dismissed breast lump concerns during multiple pregnancy visits in 2018, later diagnosed as cancer