Verdict . News

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Maine Supreme Court Blocks Probation Challenge to Underlying Conviction

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that defendants cannot use probation revocation proceedings to collaterally attack their underlying criminal convictions. The decision came in State of Maine v. Denis Lemieux, where the defendant attempted to void his domestic violence conviction during probation revocation hearings.

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed that defendants cannot use probation revocation proceedings to challenge underlying convictions

•Denis Lemieux violated probation by making threatening social media statements about protected family members

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules in Attorney Disciplinary Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel v. Vaccaro, a disciplinary proceeding involving attorney Enrico Vaccaro. The case involves the application of Connecticut's repeat offender provisions for attorney discipline, which require mandatory presentment proceedings for attorneys who have been disciplined multiple times within a five-year period.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in disciplinary case against attorney Enrico Vaccaro involving repeat violation provisions

•Case involves mandatory presentment proceedings for attorneys disciplined three times within five years

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Prearrest Silence in Murder Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court addressed whether prosecutors can cross-examine defendants about their failure to report self-defense claims to police before arrest. The case involved Joseph Thorpe, convicted of murder after claiming self-defense in a shooting death.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on whether prosecutors can cross-examine defendants about prearrest silence in murder cases

•Joseph Thorpe was convicted of murder after unsuccessfully claiming self-defense in a shooting death

•Nevada Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of contract action brought by El Cortez Reno Holdings against Noble Pie Parlor

Nevada Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal in El Cortez Contract Dispute

The Nevada Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a contract lawsuit brought by El Cortez Reno Holdings, LLC against Noble Pie Parlor and its operators. The court also upheld an award of attorney fees and costs to the defendants in the commercial dispute.

•District court awarded attorney fees and costs to defendants, which was upheld on appeal

•Nevada Supreme Court ruled on consolidated appeals involving Insurance Commissioner as receiver of failed Lewis and Clark LTC Risk Retention Group

Nevada Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Receivership Powers in Major Case

The Nevada Supreme Court issued a ruling on December 23, 2025, in consolidated appeals involving the State Insurance Commissioner's role as receiver for the failed Lewis and Clark LTC Risk Retention Group. The case centers on disputes between the receiver and eight former directors regarding tort claims and post-receivership proceedings.

•Case involves disputes between receiver and eight former company directors over tort claims and post-receivership proceedings

•Seven major news organizations successfully challenged district court sealing orders

Nevada Supreme Court Grants Media Petition to Unseal Trust Records

The Nevada Supreme Court granted a petition from seven major news organizations challenging a district court's order sealing all records and closing proceedings in a trust case involving anonymous parties.

•Nevada Supreme Court granted writ of mandamus against wholesale record sealing

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinforces Municipal Immunity in Design Cases

The Maryland Supreme Court ruled that Baltimore enjoys governmental immunity for discretionary infrastructure design decisions. The court held that municipal choices about barriers between vehicular roads and pedestrian areas constitute protected governmental functions.

•Maryland Supreme Court held that municipal design decisions about vehicular-pedestrian barriers are governmental functions protected by immunity

•Ruling reinforces distinction between governmental and proprietary functions in determining municipal liability

Dec 23, 2025•2 min read

•Nevada Supreme Court unanimously affirmed suppression of evidence in felony concealed weapon case

Nevada Supreme Court Upholds Evidence Suppression in Gun Case

The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a district court's decision to suppress evidence against Ricky Kevin Dubuc, who was charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon. The high court upheld the trial judge's ruling that police lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop and search.

•Police lacked reasonable suspicion to stop Dubuc despite surveillance of his associate for unrelated crime

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed denial of Mark Kapps's postconviction relief petition

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Denies Postconviction Relief in Kapps Case

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a Fallon County District Court's denial of Mark Kapps's petition for postconviction relief, rejecting his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. Justice Ingrid Gustafson delivered the court's opinion on December 23, 2025.

•Kapps claimed ineffective assistance of counsel in his underlying criminal case