Courts & Legal

State v. Revuelta - Utah Court of Appeals Opinion

The Utah Court of Appeals affirmed a defendant's convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The court found that the magistrate did not err in finding probable cause for the search warrant executed on the defendant's home.

Washington v. State - Postconviction Relief Appeal

The Utah Court of Appeals reversed the summary dismissal of two postconviction relief claims filed by Terry Wayne Washington, remanding the case for further proceedings. The court affirmed the denial of counsel and summary judgment on a third claim, as well as the failure to address a fourth claim.

Funk v. Funk - Appeal of Arbitration Award Confirmation

The Utah Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Funk v. Funk, addressing an appeal from a district court's order confirming an arbitrator's temporary award. The court is considering summary disposition due to a lack of a final, appealable order.

Pena v. State - Appeal from Drug Activity Conviction

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed a drug activity conviction for Jesus Efren Pena. Pena was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine for acquiring proceeds from drug activity. The court found sufficient evidence to support the conviction.

Acosta v. State - Post-Conviction Relief Denial Affirmed

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief for Victor Don Acosta. The court found that Acosta's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel were barred by res judicata and waiver, and that his application was untimely filed.

Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Adds Rule for Generative AI

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has adopted a new rule governing the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in drafting documents for court filings. The rule requires parties or counsel to verify the accuracy of any AI-generated content before filing.

Battee v. State - Conjoint Robbery Conviction Appeal

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed a conjoint robbery conviction for Trymel Keith Battee. The appeal raised issues regarding the trial judge's potential conflict of interest due to seeking employment with the OSBI and the reliability of an in-court identification.

Jacobs v. State - First-Degree Manslaughter Conviction Upheld

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the first-degree manslaughter conviction of James Wesley Jacobs, Jr. The court found no abuse of discretion in the jury instructions and affirmed the sentence of forty years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Navigator Group v. Susan Davis Van Dyke - Oil & Gas Dispute

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision in a dispute over a mineral reservation in a 1924 deed. The ruling clarifies ownership of mineral rights between successors of the original grantor and grantee.

Navigator Group v. Susan Davis Van Dyke - Oil & Gas Deed Interpretation

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision in Navigator Group v. Susan Davis Van Dyke, interpreting a 1924 deed's mineral reservation. The court determined the reservation of "one-half of one-eighth" meant one-half of the grantors' mineral interest, not merely one-sixteenth of the total minerals.