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State Court

State court decisions and legal developments across all 50 states and territories. Coverage spans state supreme courts, appellate courts, and significant trial court rulings on family law, property, criminal justice, and more.

State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Sexual Assault Conviction Against Father

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the conviction of Kenneth M. Chase Jr. on multiple counts of gross sexual assault, domestic violence assault, and child endangerment. The court rejected Chase's arguments that the trial court erred in jury instructions and sentencing analysis.

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed conviction on nine counts including three gross sexual assault charges
•Court rejected claims of jury instruction error regarding specific unanimity requirements
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State Court
•4 min read
Arizona Supreme Court

Arizona Supreme Court Reverses Election Case, Sides with Montenegro

The Arizona Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision in Montenegro v. Fontes, a high-profile election dispute involving House Speaker Steve Montenegro challenging Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. The court vacated the Court of Appeals ruling and remanded the case to Maricopa County Superior Court.

•Arizona Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision favoring Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
•Case involves House Speaker Steve Montenegro challenging election-related actions or decisions
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Denies Inmate's Religious Name Change Petition

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's denial of a name change petition from incarcerated individual Zebadiah Kellogg-Roe, who sought to change his name based on religious visions and pagan beliefs. The court ruled he failed to demonstrate that a legal name change was necessary for his religious practice.

•New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed denial of incarcerated individual's religious name change petition
•Petitioner claimed pagan goddess communicated through dreams that he should change name to Sol-Anin
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Reverses Contempt Conviction for Intoxicated Witness

The Virginia Supreme Court reversed a contempt of court conviction against Katie Orndoff, who was sentenced to 10 days in jail for allegedly being intoxicated while testifying as a Commonwealth witness. The court found insufficient evidence to support the summary criminal contempt conviction under Virginia Code § 18.2-456.

•Virginia Supreme Court reversed contempt conviction for witness who allegedly testified while intoxicated
•Katie Orndoff was sentenced to 10 days in jail by Loudoun County Circuit Court for 'misbehavior in the presence of the court'
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State Court
•4 min read
Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Overturns 1986 Mandatory Life Sentence

The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that John H. Schoenhals' mandatory life sentence without parole for aggravated first degree murder committed at age 20 in 1986 is unconstitutional. The court granted his personal restraint petition after nearly four decades in prison.

•Washington Supreme Court unanimously overturned 1986 mandatory life sentence for crime committed at age 20
•Court granted personal restraint petition after 39 years, finding constitutional violation
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State Court
•4 min read
Arizona Supreme Court

Arizona Supreme Court Issues Mixed Ruling in State v. Traverso Appeal

The Arizona Supreme Court issued a split decision in State of Arizona v. Michael Eugene Traverso, affirming the original Superior Court ruling while vacating part of the Court of Appeals decision. The case involves post-conviction relief claims related to ineffective assistance of counsel in a 2006 criminal proceeding.

•Arizona Supreme Court affirmed trial court decision while vacating part of appeals court ruling
•Case involves post-conviction relief claims under Rule 32.1 for ineffective assistance of counsel
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Insurance Company Win in Creditor Case

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed summary judgment for State Mutual Insurance Company in a reach-and-apply action brought by judgment creditor Alicia Rowe. The case involved Rowe's attempt to access insurance proceeds from a negligence claim against property owners William and Gwen Chase.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed summary judgment for State Mutual Insurance Company
•Case involved creditor's attempt to use reach-and-apply statute to access insurance funds
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Vacates Hunter Instructor Revocation Over Recusal Issue

The New Hampshire Supreme Court vacated the Fish and Game Department's revocation of hunter education instructor Penny S. Dean's certification, ruling that the presiding officer should have recused himself from the administrative proceeding.

•New Hampshire Supreme Court vacated Fish and Game Department's revocation of hunter education instructor certification
•Court found presiding officer erred by failing to recuse himself from adjudicatory proceeding
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Upholds Cell Phone Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Case

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Christopher Andrew Rodriguez on multiple counts of child sexual abuse and assault after rejecting his challenge to cell phone evidence. Rodriguez was convicted following a bench trial on stipulated facts.

•Christopher Rodriguez convicted on multiple counts including aggravated felonious sexual assault and child abuse image charges
•New Hampshire Supreme Court rejected his appeal challenging cell phone evidence admissibility
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State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of South Carolina

SC Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Georgia Anne Shobe for Six Months

The South Carolina Supreme Court suspended attorney Georgia Anne Shobe from practicing law for six months after she entered into a disciplinary agreement admitting misconduct. The suspension resolves seven disciplinary complaints filed between 2020 and 2022.

•Georgia Anne Shobe suspended for six months by South Carolina Supreme Court
•Disciplinary action resolves seven complaints filed between 2020 and 2022
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