Verdict . News

•Carl Thomas Masi faced 16 total counts of criminal sexual conduct involving three minor complainants who lived with him as children

Jul 14, 2025•4 min read

Michigan Supreme Court

Michigan Supreme Court Addresses Rape-Shield Evidence in Masi Sexual Conduct Case

The Michigan Supreme Court decided *People v. Masi*, a case involving Carl Thomas Masi who faced 16 counts of criminal sexual conduct against three minor victims. The court addressed whether evidence of a complainant viewing pornography during prior sexual abuse by a third party was admissible under Michigan's rape-shield statute.

•The trial court denied defendant's motion to admit evidence that complainant AU viewed pornography during prior abuse by her uncle

•Arizona Supreme Court held that failure to file required fee statements does not bar recovery of reasonable and necessary guardianship fees

Jul 11, 2025•4 min read

Arizona Supreme Court

Arizona Supreme Court Rules on Fee Requirements in Guardianship Cases

The Arizona Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in *In the Matter of William John Chalmers*, partially affirming and partially reversing a lower court decision regarding professional fee requirements in adult conservatorship proceedings. The case centered on whether attorneys must file specific statements detailing the basis for fee petitions in legal guardianship matters.

•Case involved complex conservatorship dispute with multiple attorneys and fiduciary services seeking professional fee compensation

Jul 8, 2025•4 min read

•Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that JCRAR's power to suspend administrative rules violates constitutional separation of powers

Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Legislative Committee Powers

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in *Evers v. Marklein* that statutes granting the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules power to suspend administrative rules violate constitutional separation of powers. Chief Justice Karofsky delivered the majority opinion finding the legislative committee's authority constituted an unconstitutional legislative veto.

•Chief Justice Karofsky's majority opinion found five statutes constitute unconstitutional legislative vetoes

Jul 3, 2025•4 min read

•Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed due process protections for probationers facing revocation proceedings

Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Probation Due Process Rights in Hayes Case

The Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed a court of appeals decision that upheld due process protections for probationers facing revocation proceedings. The court ruled that hearsay evidence cannot be used to revoke probation without establishing good cause to overcome the defendant's right to confront adverse witnesses.

•Administrator Brian Hayes properly declined to revoke probation when good cause was not established for using hearsay evidence

Jul 3, 2025•4 min read

•Joan Stetzer was charged with second-offense DUI after fleeing domestic violence while intoxicated

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules on Domestic Violence Defense in DUI Case

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a significant ruling in State v. Joan L. Stetzer, examining whether domestic violence can serve as a defense to drunk driving charges. The case involves a woman who fled her abusive husband while intoxicated and was arrested for operating a vehicle with prohibited alcohol concentration.

•The case examines whether Wisconsin's coercion defense applies to domestic violence victims who drive drunk to escape abuse

•Michigan Supreme Court decided consolidated cases involving medical provider payment rights under no-fault insurance

Jul 3, 2025•4 min read

Michigan Supreme Court

Michigan Supreme Court Rules on No-Fault Insurance Medical Provider Rights

The Michigan Supreme Court decided a case involving C-Spine Orthopedics and Progressive Michigan Insurance Company that addresses medical providers' rights to recover personal protection insurance benefits. The consolidated cases examined how the 2019 amendments to Michigan's no-fault act affect healthcare providers' ability to collect payment for treating auto accident victims.

•C-Spine Orthopedics sought to recover PIP benefits from Progressive Insurance for treating auto accident victims

Jul 2, 2025•4 min read

•Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed Planned Parenthood's original action against DA Joel Urmanski exactly one year after granting the petition

Wisconsin Supreme Court Dismisses Planned Parenthood Challenge to DA

The Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed an original action brought by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin against District Attorney Joel Urmanski on July 2, 2025. The dismissal came after the court's decision in a related case, *Kaul v. Urmanski*, which was released the same day.

•Dismissal was based on the court's concurrent decision in Kaul v. Urmanski, released the same day

Jul 2, 2025•4 min read

•Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the state's 1849 abortion ban was impliedly repealed by comprehensive modern legislation

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules 1849 Abortion Ban Repealed by Later Laws

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that a comprehensive 19th-century abortion ban has been impliedly repealed by decades of subsequent legislation. The decision in *Kaul v. Urmanski* allows abortion services to continue in Wisconsin following the *Dobbs* decision that overturned *Roe v. Wade*.

•Decision allows abortion services to continue in Wisconsin under current regulatory framework rather than 19th-century prohibition

Jul 1, 2025•4 min read

•Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected referee's 18-month suspension recommendation for attorney Daniel P. Steffen

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rejects 18-Month Suspension for Attorney's Voyeurism Convictions

The Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected a referee's recommendation for an 18-month license suspension for attorney Daniel P. Steffen, who was convicted of three felonies for capturing intimate images without consent. The court found the proposed discipline insufficient given the seriousness of the misconduct.

•Steffen was convicted of three felonies for capturing intimate images without consent