State Courts

SJC Rules Armed Robbery Not Predicate Offense Under Force Clause

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that armed robbery is not a predicate offense under the 'force clause' of G. L. c. 276, § 58A, as it can be committed with minimal force and without a weapon. This decision clarifies the scope of offenses eligible for pretrial detention under this statute.

Bernstein v. Assaf - Court Opinion

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York affirmed a lower court's decision to confirm an arbitration award and deny a wife's petition to vacate it. The court found no grounds for vacating the award, including claims of arbitrator bias or failure of a condition precedent to arbitration.

People v. White - Appellate Court Decision

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a judgment against Shaquille White. The court found the sentence imposed was not excessive. This decision was published on March 10, 2026.

People v. Rosario - Criminal Conviction Affirmation

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a criminal conviction for Juan Rosario. The court rejected the defendant's argument that his extreme emotional disturbance defense should have been accepted by the jury, finding that while he established the subjective element of loss of self-control, the objective element of a reasonable explanation or excuse was not sufficiently established.

People v. Irving - NY Appellate Division Legal Opinion

The New York Appellate Division affirmed a conviction for burglary and criminal impersonation. The court found that while the lineup identification procedure was unduly suggestive, this error did not warrant overturning the conviction.

People v. Perez - Criminal Appeal

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a judgment against Edgardo Perez. The court found the sentence imposed not to be excessive. This decision was published on March 10, 2026.

Glowatz v. City of New York - Discrimination Lawsuit Opinion

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed the dismissal of a discrimination complaint against the City of New York. While the court found the complaint was timely filed, it failed to state a cause of action for discrimination under state or city human rights laws.

Matter of S.G. - Child Neglect Appeal

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a Family Court order finding neglect for two children. The court found sufficient evidence of neglect based on a child's statement, caseworker testimony, and photographic evidence of a bruise.

Matter of J.S. (S.A.) - Medical Neglect Ruling

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a Family Court ruling that a mother medically neglected her older child and derivatively neglected her younger child. The court found that the mother's delay in consenting to emergency medical treatment for her older son caused impairment or risk of impairment to his condition.

Matter of T.M. (C.V.) - Child Neglect and Parental Rights Termination

The New York Appellate Division affirmed a Family Court decision terminating a mother's parental rights due to permanent neglect. The court found that the agency made diligent efforts to facilitate reunification, despite the mother's non-compliance with her service plan. The decision upholds the termination of parental rights and transfer of custody for adoption.