State Courts

MFRE v. Saratoga Springs - Eminent Domain Dispute

The Utah Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's denial of a motion to dismiss an eminent domain action filed by the City of Saratoga Springs against MFRE. The court found that the City satisfied its statutory disclosure and notice obligations prior to filing suit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jake Erin Taylor v. State of Texas - Murder Case Affirmed

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Jake Erin Taylor for murder. The court assessed his punishment at seventy years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. The appeal challenged the sufficiency of the evidence regarding self-defense.

Salazar v. State of Texas - Mandamus Motion Denied

The Texas Court of Appeals, 13th District, denied Jesus R. Salazar's petition for a writ of mandamus. The court found that Salazar failed to establish entitlement to mandamus relief regarding his request to start the appeals process and appoint him an attorney.