Verdict . News

•State has no general right to appeal adverse criminal rulings without specific statutory authorization

2w ago•4 min read

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Limits State's Appeal Rights in Criminal Cases

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled in State v. Jones that prosecutors have no general right to appeal adverse criminal rulings without specific statutory authorization. The court emphasized strict compliance with jurisdictional requirements under Nebraska law.

•Strict compliance with Nebraska Revised Statute Section 29-2315.01 is required for any state criminal appeal

•Oregon Supreme Court unanimously affirmed Ribas's conviction for failing to report residence change within required timeframe

2w ago•4 min read

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Sex Offender Conviction in State v. Ribas

The Oregon Supreme Court affirmed Wednesday a criminal conviction against Edwardo Luis Ribas for failing to report a residence change as required under state sex offender registration laws. The unanimous decision upholds both the Court of Appeals ruling and the original Linn County Circuit Court judgment.

•Case centered on interpretation of ORS 163A.040(1)(d) sex offender registration requirements

North Dakota Supreme Court

2w ago•4 min read

North Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Unlicensed Practice Conviction

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the criminal conviction of Mandy Deann Olson for practicing law without a license after she filed legal motions on behalf of an incarcerated defendant. The unanimous decision upholds strict enforcement of legal licensing requirements.

•Mandy Olson was convicted of practicing law without a license after filing legal motions for incarcerated defendant Eric Grewe

•The North Dakota Supreme Court unanimously affirmed her conviction in case No. 20250264

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Appeals in Derrick Walker Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals on March 5, 2025, in three criminal cases involving defendant Derrick Walker. The state's highest court is reviewing Superior Court decisions that affirmed Walker's 2022 convictions from Philadelphia County.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals in three criminal cases involving Derrick Walker

•Superior Court previously affirmed Walker's 2022 Philadelphia County convictions in November 2023

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Walker Criminal Appeal Arguments

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving defendant Derrick Walker, challenging convictions from Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas that were previously affirmed by the Superior Court.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving Derrick Walker

•All three cases originated from Philadelphia County Court convictions entered March 1, 2022

Federal Circuit

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds Gun Serial Number Law Under Bruen Test

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the constitutionality of federal law prohibiting possession of firearms with obliterated serial numbers, rejecting a Second Amendment challenge based on the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision. The court ruled in United States v. Jose Reyna that the law does not violate constitutional protections.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed federal law prohibiting firearms with obliterated serial numbers

•Court rejected Second Amendment challenge based on Supreme Court's Bruen decision

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Triple Appeal in Walker Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5, 2025, in three consolidated appeals from Derrick Walker challenging Philadelphia County criminal convictions. The appeals stem from 2019 cases that resulted in sentences in March 2022.

•Three consolidated appeals heard by Pennsylvania's highest court on March 5, 2025

•Original convictions occurred in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in March 2022

Federal Circuit

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Issues Summary Order in United States v. Concepcion

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on January 27, 2026, in the criminal case United States v. Jesus Concepcion (No. 24-2532-cr). The three-judge panel rendered a non-precedential decision in this federal criminal appeal from the Southern District of New York.

•Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued non-precedential summary order in criminal case No. 24-2532-cr

•Three-judge panel included Circuit Judges Dennis Jacobs, José A. Cabranes, and Raymond J. Lohier Jr.

•Nebraska Supreme Court held that determining ineffective counsel claims on direct appeal is a question of law

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Standards for Ineffective Counsel Claims

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued an opinion in *State v. Wilson* on January 23, 2026, establishing legal standards for when appellate courts can determine ineffective assistance of counsel claims on direct appeal. The ruling clarifies how courts must evaluate whether trial counsel's performance met constitutional requirements.

•Appellate courts must assess whether trial record contains sufficient undisputed facts for conclusive determination