Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds Gun Enhancement in Drug Trafficking Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a two-point sentencing enhancement for weapon possession in a federal drug trafficking case. Christopher Springfield challenged the enhancement after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine base.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed two-point sentencing enhancement for weapon possession in drug trafficking case

•Springfield pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine base

•Douglas Warburton was sentenced to up to 10 years plus lifetime supervision for lascivious acts with a child involving his grandchild

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Child Sex Crime Conviction, Rules on Appeal Procedures

The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Douglas Neal Warburton for lascivious acts with a child while addressing procedural issues regarding appellate jurisdiction over resentencing motions that were not properly identified in appeal notices.

•The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled it lacked jurisdiction to review a resentencing motion denial because it wasn't properly identified in the appeal notice

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Child Sexual Abuse Material Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Billy J. Griffith for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. The unpublished opinion upheld a 132-month prison sentence handed down by a West Virginia federal court.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Billy J. Griffith's conviction for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material

•Griffith received 132-month prison sentence, a downward variance from sentencing guidelines

•Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed conviction and life sentence for child rape

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Affirms Life Sentence for Child Rape Conviction

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the conviction and life sentence of Joseph Faulkner Sr. for raping a minor victim, rejecting multiple constitutional and evidentiary challenges. The court affirmed both the conviction and sentence in a January 29, 2026 decision involving multiple alleged victims.

•Defendant challenged evidence sufficiency and constitutional grounds for sentence

•Justice Bronni dissented from denial of review in criminal sentencing case involving evidentiary challenges

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Justice Dissents on Sentencing Error Standard in Mills Case

Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Nicholas Bronni issued a dissenting opinion criticizing the court's refusal to review a criminal sentencing case. The dissent challenges a judicial rule that prevents defendants from claiming prejudice from evidentiary errors if they received less than the maximum sentence.

•Arkansas courts apply rule that sub-maximum sentences preclude prejudice claims from evidentiary errors

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Upholds Prison Term for Repeat Child Pornography Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to revoke supervised release and impose an additional prison sentence on Robert Lynn Harris, who was convicted of child pornography possession in 2024 while serving lifetime supervised release from a 2015 conviction.

•Harris violated lifetime supervised release from 2015 child pornography conviction by possessing child pornography again in 2024

•District court revoked supervised release and imposed two-year prison term in addition to 120-month sentence for new offense

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

3w ago•4 min read

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

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

11th Circuit Upholds 156-Month Fentanyl Distribution Sentence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected Stephen Jerome Brinson's appeal of his 156-month prison sentence for fentanyl distribution. Brinson had argued the sentence was substantively unreasonable because the district court failed to consider mitigating factors including his age, health, remorse, and time already served.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed 156-month sentence for Stephen Jerome Brinson's fentanyl distribution conviction

•Brinson argued the upward variance was unreasonable due to unconsidered mitigating factors including age, health, and remorse

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

7th Circuit Reverses Bank Fraud Convictions in Robinson-Smith Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a petition for panel rehearing and reversed bank fraud convictions for defendants Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith, while affirming their wire fraud convictions. The court directed the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal on the bank fraud counts.

•Seventh Circuit reversed bank fraud convictions on Counts 2-7 for both defendants

•Wire fraud conviction on Count 8 was affirmed for both defendants