Verdict . News

•Washington Supreme Court reviews interpretation of state's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requiring wage disclosure in job postings

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Pay Transparency Law in Total Wine Case

The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion addressing the state's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requirements for job posting disclosures in a class action case against Total Wine & More. The case involves interpretation of wage transparency requirements that took effect in 2023.

•Class action targets Total Wine & More for alleged violations of 2023 pay transparency requirements

•California Supreme Court granted request to modify its August 2025 opinion in environmental challenge to PUC decision involving PG&E

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Modifies Opinion in Environmental Challenge to PUC

The California Supreme Court granted a request to modify its August opinion in *Center for Biological Diversity v. Public Utilities Commission*, making technical corrections to statutory citations and clarifying the standard of review for utility regulation challenges. The modifications do not affect the underlying judgment in the case involving Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

•Modifications include technical corrections to statutory citations and clarification of judicial review standards for utility regulation

•California Supreme Court reversed gang enhancements and death sentence for Refugio Ruben Cardenas

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Reverses Gang Enhancement in Death Penalty Case

The California Supreme Court reversed gang enhancement allegations and a death sentence for Refugio Ruben Cardenas, who was convicted of murder and attempted murder. The court found error based on legal developments that occurred after the original trial.

•Court found error based on People v. Sanchez decision and Assembly Bill 333 amendments to gang law

•Supreme Court of Guam ruled on appeal in property dispute involving 2004 settlement agreement

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Rules in Property Dispute Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam issued a ruling in *Cho v. Alupang Beach Club, Inc.*, addressing a property dispute involving a 2004 settlement agreement. The case concerns claims by Hee K. Cho and Min S. Cho against Alupang Beach Club, Inc. and Steven Kasperbauer regarding the Alupang Beach Tower.

•Chos argued trial court failed to address all claims in summary judgment ruling

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Upholds Termination of Parental Rights in Child Welfare Case

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's decision to terminate parental rights in *In re K.O.*, rejecting arguments from both parents who challenged the state's intervention. The case involved claims of inadequate disability accommodations and disputes over state efforts to help correct conditions that led to child neglect findings.

•New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed termination of parental rights in child welfare case involving disability accommodation claims

•Father argued state failed to provide reasonable ADA accommodations during neglect proceedings

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Sep 3, 2025•4 min read

Louisiana Supreme Court Affirms Monroe Police Chief Termination Decision

The Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed a decision by the Monroe Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board in the case of former interim police chief Reginald Brown, who was fired after an excessive force investigation. The court clarified the roles of civil service boards and courts in reviewing employee discipline decisions.

•Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed Monroe civil service board's decision to reduce police chief's termination to 90-day suspension

•Case involved Reginald Brown's handling of excessive force investigation while serving as interim police chief

Supreme Court of New Jersey

Sep 3, 2025•4 min read

NJ Appeals Court Grants State's Motion to Appeal DVR Evidence Ruling

The New Jersey Appellate Division granted the state's motion for leave to appeal a trial court's decision to suppress digital video recorder evidence in the 2018 quadruple homicide case against Paul J. Caneiro. The ruling allows prosecutors to challenge a June 2025 order that excluded DVR contents seized during a warrantless search of Caneiro's garage.

•Appeals court granted state's motion to appeal evidence suppression ruling on Aug. 5, 2025

•Case involves DVR evidence seized without warrant from defendant's garage in 2018 quadruple homicide

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Aug 29, 2025•4 min read

Maine Supreme Court Vacates Drug Conviction Over Fifth Amendment Violation

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated Derric McLain's aggravated drug trafficking conviction, ruling that he never waived his privilege against self-incrimination during custodial interrogation. While the court affirmed the validity of the traffic stop and search that led to his arrest, it ordered a new trial on Fifth Amendment grounds.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated McLain's drug trafficking conviction due to Fifth Amendment violation during custodial interrogation

•Court affirmed the validity of the traffic stop and search, rejecting Fourth Amendment challenges to the investigation

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Aug 29, 2025•4 min read

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Domestic Violence Convictions, Orders Resentencing

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Heather M. Hodgson's convictions for domestic violence with dangerous weapons and child endangerment but vacated her sentence for failing to meet mandatory minimum requirements.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed domestic violence convictions involving dangerous weapons and child endangerment

•Court vacated sentence for failing to impose mandatory one-year minimum for dangerous weapon domestic violence offense