Verdict . News

•Washington Supreme Court issued en banc ruling clarifying 'active efforts' requirements under ICWA and WICWA

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Strengthens ICWA Standards for Foster Care

The Washington Supreme Court issued an en banc ruling clarifying that child welfare agencies must prove 'active efforts' were made to prevent family separation before placing Indian children in involuntary foster care. The August 28, 2025 decision strengthens protections under both federal and state Indian Child Welfare Acts.

•Courts must determine that active efforts were made to prevent family separation before dependency orders

•Washington Supreme Court confirms appellate courts can allow nonparty intervention in criminal appeals when the party previously intervened at trial on the same issue

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Expands Nonparty Intervention Rights in Appeals

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that appellate courts have authority to allow nonparty intervention in criminal appeals when the nonparty previously intervened at trial on the same issue. The en banc decision in State v. Thompson establishes important precedent for third-party participation in criminal appellate proceedings.

•The en banc decision in State v. Thompson provides statewide precedent for criminal appellate procedure involving third-party participants

•Seven property owners successfully appealed Planning Board's subdivision approval for six-unit development in Northeast Harbor

Maine Supreme Court Vacates Mount Desert Subdivision Approval

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated a lower court ruling that upheld a Town of Mount Desert Planning Board decision approving a six-dwelling subdivision in Northeast Harbor. The state's highest court found the Planning Board erroneously failed to calculate open-space requirements mandated by the town's Subdivision Ordinance.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court found Planning Board violated town ordinance by failing to calculate required open space

•California Supreme Court ruled on proper methods for assessing hotels for property tax using income capitalization approach

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Rules on Hotel Property Tax Assessment Methods

The California Supreme Court issued a decision in Olympic and Georgia Partners, LLC v. County of Los Angeles addressing how hotels should be assessed for property tax purposes using the income capitalization method. The case centers on whether certain revenue streams from intangible assets must be excluded from property valuations.

•Olympic and Georgia Partners challenged exclusion of occupancy tax assignment and other intangible revenue from assessments

•California Supreme Court affirmed Jason Aguirre's murder conviction in Dragon Family gang case

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Upholds Gang Murder Conviction for Aguirre

The California Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Jason Alejandro Aguirre in a gang-related shooting case. The court upheld jury findings on firearm enhancements and gang benefit allegations tied to the Dragon Family criminal street gang.

•Jury found firearm enhancement allegations true, including personal discharge causing death

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

Aug 27, 2025•4 min read

NH Supreme Court Affirms City's Authority Over Disputed Cul-de-Sac

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that granted summary judgment to intervenors in a land use dispute between Taylor Community and the City of Laconia. The case centered on whether the city had authority to lay out a disputed cul-de-sac as a public highway.

•New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed city's authority to designate disputed cul-de-sac as public highway

•Case originated from 1987 development where Taylor Community promised to deed road to city

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected the Chamber's constitutional challenge to PFML program rules

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Paid Family Leave Rules Against Challenge

Maine's highest court rejected a constitutional challenge from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce against state labor department rules implementing the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled the department's administrative rules do not conflict with the underlying statute and do not constitute an unconstitutional taking of private property.

•Court found no conflict between Labor Department regulations and the 2023 Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron Engroff's conviction on sexual contact charges despite constitutional challenges

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Sexual Assault Conviction Despite Constitutional Challenges

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron C. Engroff's conviction on sexual contact charges, rejecting his appeals based on speedy trial violations and challenges to video evidence. The court ruled that a video interview of the victim did not violate confrontation or due process rights.

•Court rejected arguments that video interview evidence violated confrontation and due process rights

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed convictions for gross sexual assault and violating release conditions

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Child Sexual Assault Conviction

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the conviction of Chuck D. Schooley for gross sexual assault of a child and violating conditions of release. The court rejected Schooley's appeal challenging jury instructions and prosecutorial conduct during closing arguments.

•Defendant's appeal challenged missing jury instruction on specific unanimity and alleged prosecutorial misconduct