Verdict . News

•Montana Supreme Court ruled in case involving citizen arrested for filming police officers from public sidewalk

Montana Supreme Court

Montana High Court Rules on Police Filming Rights in Kalispell Case

The Montana Supreme Court issued a decision February 10, 2026, in City of Kalispell v. Sean Michael Doman, a case involving a man arrested for filming police officers during a traffic stop while standing on a public sidewalk. The case drew intervention from the American Civil Liberties Union, highlighting its constitutional significance.

•American Civil Liberties Union organizations intervened as amici curiae, highlighting constitutional significance

Federal Circuit

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Mental Incompetency Finding in Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's determination that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder. The appeals court upheld the lower court's order committing Lang to federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court finding that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder

•Lang will remain in federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d)(2)

•Oregon Supreme Court dismissed mandamus petition filed by Allen Rex Roberts as moot

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Dismisses State v. Roberts Mandamus Petition

The Oregon Supreme Court dismissed as moot a mandamus petition filed by defendant Allen Rex Roberts in a criminal case that attracted significant attention from public defender organizations and civil rights groups. The court's brief ruling concluded a case that had drawn extensive amicus support from major legal advocacy organizations.

•Case attracted extensive amicus support from public defense organizations and civil rights groups

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Affirms Conviction After Miranda Rights Challenge Forfeited

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Angel Alberto Torres-Sosa for kidnapping, attempted gross sexual imposition, and aggravated assault after he forfeited his Miranda rights challenge by failing to renew his objection during trial.

•Torres-Sosa was convicted of kidnapping, attempted gross sexual imposition, and aggravated assault

•He lost his Miranda rights challenge by failing to renew his objection during trial

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Hears State v. Johnson Murder Appeal

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in State v. Johnson, a criminal case involving murder, first-degree burglary, and conspiracy convictions. The case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews following the discovery of a decomposed body.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided appeal in murder case involving Miles Johnson

•Case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews after body discovery

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed trial court's decision to hold Michael Williams without bail

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Affirms No-Bail Decision in Williams Case

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's decision to hold Michael Williams without bail after rejecting his appeal challenging both the court's correction of its initial ruling and the weight of evidence against him.

•Court ruled that trial court properly corrected its order during pending appeal to clarify evidence weight finding

Federal Circuit

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Weighs Brady Violation Claims in Berks County Habeas Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is reviewing a federal district court's decision to grant a habeas corpus petition for Rafael Mueses Popote, who claims Berks County prosecutors violated Brady v. Maryland by withholding evidence of plea agreements with cooperating witnesses.

•Federal district court granted habeas corpus petition for Rafael Mueses Popote based on alleged Brady violation claims

•Berks County prosecutors allegedly failed to disclose plea agreements with cooperating witnesses who testified at trial

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Theft and Forgery Convictions

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the criminal convictions of Terri L. Moulton for theft and forgery, rejecting her claims of prosecutorial misconduct, judicial bias, and discovery violations. The court found that while some prosecutorial statements constituted error, they were harmless and did not deprive Moulton of a fair trial.

•Moulton embezzled $500,000 from Dewitt Machine and Fabrication over three years while working as bookkeeper

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court rejected all four appellate challenges including prosecutorial misconduct claims

•California Supreme Court unanimously ruled loose marijuana on vehicle floor does not violate open container law

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court: Loose Marijuana in Car Not Open Container

The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that loose marijuana scattered on a vehicle's rear floor does not constitute an 'open container' violation under state law. The court also held that police lacked probable cause to conduct a warrantless vehicle search based solely on the presence of loose marijuana.

•Court held police lacked probable cause for warrantless vehicle search based solely on presence of loose marijuana

•Nevada Supreme Court granted partial relief on petition to disqualify Judge Kathleen A. Sigurdson for alleged bias in criminal case

Nevada Supreme Court

Nevada High Court Grants Partial Relief in Judge Bias Petition

The Nevada Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling on a petition by Thomas Lamont Williams seeking to disqualify Washoe County District Judge Kathleen A. Sigurdson for alleged bias in his criminal case. The court granted the petition in part and denied it in part, addressing fundamental questions about judicial impartiality in criminal proceedings.

•Case arose from district court's denial of severance motion and subsequent order that raised judicial bias concerns