TodayLegal News

Verdict.News

All Topics

Criminal Procedure

Criminal procedure rulings on Fourth Amendment searches, Miranda rights, due process, sentencing guidelines, and defendant rights.

64 articles

State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Reverses Child Sex Abuse Conviction Over Testimony Rules

The Vermont Supreme Court reversed Anna Sylvester's conviction for lewd conduct with a child, ruling that allowing the six-year-old complainant to testify outside the defendant's presence violated constitutional confrontation rights.

•Vermont Supreme Court reversed Anna Sylvester's conviction for lewd conduct with a child
•Court ruled that allowing six-year-old complainant to testify outside defendant's presence violated Sixth Amendment confrontation rights
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Reviews State v. Bolden Hit-and-Run Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued an opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden, a criminal case involving evasion of responsibility and evidence tampering charges. The defendant was convicted after striking and killing a pedestrian with his SUV, fleeing the scene, and abandoning the vehicle.

•Connecticut Supreme Court issued opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden involving fatal hit-and-run charges
•Defendant convicted of evasion of responsibility and tampering with physical evidence after striking and killing pedestrian
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of North Carolina

NC Supreme Court Upholds Stolen Firearm Conviction in State v. Bracey

The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for possession of a stolen firearm, ruling there was substantial evidence that defendant Mack Vernon Bracey knew or had reasonable grounds to believe the gun was stolen. The December 12, 2025 decision resolves questions about knowledge standards in stolen firearm cases.

•North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed conviction for possession of stolen firearm based on substantial evidence standard
•Court ruled there was sufficient evidence defendant knew or had reasonable grounds to believe gun was stolen
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Miranda Rights in Child Abuse Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Lazaro C.-D., addressing whether police properly advised a defendant of his Miranda rights during questioning about sexual assault charges involving a five-year-old victim. The defendant had challenged the admissibility of his statements to detectives.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on Miranda rights in sexual assault case involving five-year-old victim
•Defendant challenged denial of motion to suppress statements made during police station interview
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Supreme Court of Rhode Island

RI Supreme Court Denies New Trial in Tavares Sexual Assault Case

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's denial of a new trial motion filed by Victor Tavares, who was convicted on multiple sexual assault charges. The court rejected Tavares's appeal, which centered on alleged discovery violations by the prosecution.

•Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed denial of new trial motion for Victor Tavares, convicted of sexual assault
•Tavares argued prosecution violated discovery rules by listing 30 witnesses but calling only seven at trial
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•5 min read
Supreme Court of New Jersey

NJ Supreme Court Rules on Warrantless Fire Scene Evidence Seizure

The New Jersey Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in State v. Paul J. Caneiro, addressing whether police can seize evidence without a warrant during an active house fire under exigent circumstances. The case involves a defendant accused of murdering four family members and setting fires to cover up the crimes.

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled police acted reasonably seizing DVR without warrant during active house fire
•Paul J. Caneiro accused of murdering brother's family and setting fires to cover up quadruple homicide
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Constitutional Review

Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Shawn A. Womack wrote a concurring opinion in *Frank Wheeler v. State of Arkansas*, clarifying that the court's Evans precedent does not require entertaining all unpreserved constitutional claims in criminal appeals. The opinion addresses concerns that a dissent's interpretation would have expanded constitutional review beyond appropriate limits.

•Justice Womack rejected interpretation that Evans precedent requires review of all unpreserved constitutional claims in criminal appeals
•Evans case involved extraordinary circumstances with full adversarial development and structural constitutional problems affecting all local ballot initiatives
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts High Court Rules on Ineffective Counsel in Plea Bargain Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court established new standards for ineffective assistance of counsel claims, ruling that attorneys who ignore client requests for plea negotiations may violate constitutional rights. The decision stems from a decades-old homicide case involving Gary E. Mosso.

•Supreme Judicial Court established new standard for ineffective counsel claims when attorneys ignore client requests for plea negotiations
•Two-part test requires showing attorney conduct was unreasonable and that prejudice resulted from failure to pursue requested plea bargains
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Police Questioning of Sexual Assault Victims

The Utah Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in State v. Najera addressing constitutional boundaries when police officers question sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms. The November 28, 2025 ruling examines a 20-minute police interview of a rape victim seeking medical treatment.

•Utah Supreme Court issued unanimous decision addressing police questioning of sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms
•Case involved 20-minute police interview of rape victim with only three substantive questions asked by officer
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Pretrial Self-Defense Hearings

The Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion in *State v. Jennings* addressing whether defendants charged with murder can obtain pretrial hearings to adjudicate their self-defense claims. The case involves Deon Andre Jennings, who is charged with killing Willie Houston and claims he acted in self-defense.

•Utah Supreme Court ruled on pretrial justification hearings for self-defense claims in murder cases
•Defendant Deon Andre Jennings sought pretrial hearing on self-defense claim in Willie Houston killing
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →