State Courts

Texas Court of Appeals Affirms Civil Commitment of Billy Rusk, Jr.

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the civil commitment of Billy Rusk, Jr. as a sexually violent predator. The court found sufficient evidence to support the jury's finding, upholding the lower court's decision. This action reinforces the state's procedures for committing individuals deemed a danger to the public.

Capitol Intelligence Group v Waldman - Defamation Appeal

The DC Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's denial of an Anti-SLAPP motion in a defamation case. The court found that the plaintiff did not adduce sufficient evidence of falsity or actual malice to survive the motion, reversing the partial denial and remanding the case.

Campbell v. United States - Criminal Appeal

The D.C. Court of Appeals reviewed a criminal conviction for assault. While affirming the sufficiency of evidence to disprove self-defense, the court found the trial court erred by not inquiring into the defendant's decision to forgo an insanity defense. The case is remanded for this inquiry.

Hernandez v. DC Board of Zoning Adjustment Opinion

The DC Court of Appeals affirmed the Board of Zoning Adjustment's decision to grant a special exception for a theoretical subdivision, allowing multiple principal buildings on a single lot. The court disagreed with petitioners' assertion that the Board could not grant the exception while denying a variance for lot width requirements.

Bustos v. State - Probation Revocation Appeal

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision to revoke Robert James Bustos' probation and impose his underlying prison sentence. The appeal questioned whether Bustos' due process rights were violated due to lack of notice regarding specific probation violations.

The APPEAL, INC. v. Oliver - Civil Rights/Access to Execution Procedures

The Court of Appeals of Georgia affirmed a trial court's dismissal of a civil complaint filed by The Appeal, Inc. against Georgia Department of Corrections officials. The news organization sought greater media access to lethal injection procedures, but the court found TAI lacked standing to pursue the claims.

Lundy v. Kemp - Wrongful Death Action

The Court of Appeals of Georgia reversed and remanded a wrongful death action concerning a jail inmate's suicide. The court found the trial court erred in allowing defendants to argue discretion regarding a jail policy and in allowing a related special interrogatory to the jury. The case involves claims of negligence against jail officers.

Heather Brown v. Barbara Schmitt - Court Opinion

The Court of Appeals of Georgia reviewed a fee award in Heather Brown v. Barbara Schmitt. The court affirmed the denial of certain attorney fees but reversed the award of others, finding that the conduct did not meet the legal standard for sanctionable conduct under OCGA § 9-15-14(b).

Newnan Gas & Food, LLC v. A & H Food, Inc. - Discretionary Application Granted

The Court of Appeals of Georgia granted a discretionary application in the case of Newnan Gas & Food, LLC et al v. A & H Food, Inc. The appellant has 10 days from the order date to file a notice of appeal.

Abdirizak Abukar Mire v. Hana Sayid Hussein Sheikh - Divorce Action Appeal Dismissed

The Court of Appeals of Georgia has dismissed the discretionary appeal in the divorce action of Abdirizak Abukar Mire v. Hana Sayid Hussein Sheikh. The court determined that the application for appeal was improvidently granted after further review of the briefs and record.