Verdict . News

•Two attorneys received formal reprimands from Puerto Rico Supreme Court for ethics violations

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Sanctions Two Attorneys for Ethics Violations

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico issued disciplinary sanctions against attorneys Juan E. Medina Quintana and Enrique J. León Malavé for violating professional ethics canons and legal statutes. The court imposed formal reprimands and warnings for breaches of professional conduct rules governing attorney behavior.

•León Malavé violated Law 402 of 1950 governing attorney fees in worker compensation cases

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court: Warrantless DNA Collection Unconstitutional

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that warrantless collection of DNA samples through buccal swabs from criminal defendants violates both the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions. The December 3 decision in *State of Minnesota v. Seneca Warrior Steeprock* declares such searches unreasonable and requires a new trial for the defendant.

•Minnesota Supreme Court declares warrantless DNA collection through buccal swabs unconstitutional

•Ruling requires new trial for defendant Seneca Warrior Steeprock due to constitutional violation

•Alaska Supreme Court affirmed termination of mother's parental rights to Indian child under ICWA

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Affirms Parental Rights Termination Under ICWA

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed a superior court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights to her Indian child under the Indian Child Welfare Act. The court rejected the mother's appeals on multiple procedural and substantive grounds in a memorandum decision issued December 3, 2025.

•Court rejected mother's arguments about active efforts, reasonable time, substantial risk, and best interests

•Property registrars must process documents according to tracto sucesivo principle regardless of submission order

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Rules on Property Registry Document Order

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court issued a decision in Oriental Bank v. Díaz Pagán clarifying that property registrars must qualify and register documents according to the tracto sucesivo principle, even when presented out of proper order. The December 3, 2025 ruling addresses fundamental procedures in property registration law.

•Decision provides clarity for banking institutions and property owners on registration procedures

Supreme Court of New Jersey

Dec 2, 2025•4 min read

New Jersey Supreme Court: Single Signature Can Create Dual Corporate and Personal Liability

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a single signature on a credit agreement can simultaneously bind both a company and its representative personally as guarantor. The December 2, 2025 decision in *Extech Building Materials, Inc. v. E&N Construction, Inc.* clarifies standards for personal guarantees in corporate contract disputes.

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that personal guarantees require unambiguous manifestation of intent to be personally bound

•Case involved ambiguous credit agreement language where corporate president's signature created liability questions

Dec 2, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court classified water authority executive as public servant rather than private person

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Rules Water Authority VP is Public Servant

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court ruled that the Executive Vice President of the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority is a public servant, not a private individual, overturning an ethics violation fine imposed by the Government Ethics Office.

•Ethics fine was overturned due to lack of clear, robust and convincing evidence

Dec 1, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled on insurance liquidator notification requirements in case AC-2023-0073

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Liquidator Notification

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico issued a ruling on December 1, 2025, in Cabrera Rodríguez v. Integrand Assurance Company, addressing the validity of direct notifications from insurance liquidators to claimants under the Puerto Rico Insurance Code.

•Case involves validity of direct notifications from liquidators to claimants during insurance company liquidation

Dec 1, 2025•4 min read

•Consumer Affairs Department challenges LUMA Energy's administrative immunity protections on constitutional grounds

Puerto Rico Consumer Affairs Department Sues LUMA Energy in Supreme Court

The Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs has filed a constitutional challenge in the territory's Supreme Court against LUMA Energy and multiple energy regulatory agencies. The December 2025 case questions the legitimacy of immunity protections granted to the private electric utility company and raises constitutional separation of powers issues.

•Case questions whether administrative agencies can grant liability exemptions to private utility companies

•Utah Supreme Court issued unanimous decision addressing police questioning of sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms

Nov 28, 2025•4 min read

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Police Questioning of Sexual Assault Victims

The Utah Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in State v. Najera addressing constitutional boundaries when police officers question sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms. The November 28, 2025 ruling examines a 20-minute police interview of a rape victim seeking medical treatment.

•Case involved 20-minute police interview of rape victim with only three substantive questions asked by officer