Courts & Litigation

Arizona Court Opinion on Parental Rights

The Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision regarding parental rights termination. The court found that while abandonment grounds were proven, terminating the father's rights was not in the child's best interest. The decision is non-precedential.

Massachusetts Appeals Court Opinion on Marcie's Care

The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a non-precedential opinion affirming a Juvenile Court judgment that found parents unfit and granted permanent custody of a child to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The decision addresses parental unfitness due to housing, educational, and medical neglect, as well as substance use and mental health issues.

Commonwealth v. Greg McCollum - Massachusetts Appeals Court Opinion

The Massachusetts Appeals Court vacated judgments against Greg McCollum for operating under the influence (OUI) and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. The court found the verdicts and subsequent offense finding to be in error and set them aside.

Agnitti v. Philip Morris USA Inc. - Massachusetts Appeals Court Opinion

The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued an opinion in Agnitti v. Philip Morris USA Inc., affirming a jury verdict for the defendant. The plaintiff appealed jury instructions related to claims of negligence, product defect, fraud, and violations of the Consumer Protection Act.

Commonwealth v. Jean P. Durand - Criminal Assault and Battery Appeal

The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed a conviction for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. The court found sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction despite the defendant's claim of not being criminally responsible due to mental illness.

Stanley Webb v. George Leontire - Legal Opinion

The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a non-precedential summary decision in Stanley Webb v. George Leontire. The court affirmed a lower court judgment, allowing cross-examination on criminal matters and upholding the defendant's earned fee.

Stephen Stoute v. Joseph Aoun - Breach of Contract Appeal

The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a breach of contract and discrimination lawsuit filed by Stephen Stoute against Northeastern University and its trustees. The plaintiff appealed after the Superior Court dismissed the case, including claims related to admission to the university's college of engineering.

Colorado Bankruptcy Court Opinion on Homestead Exemption

The US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado issued an opinion regarding a Chapter 7 Trustee's objection to a debtor's claim of homestead exemption. The case involves the debtors' assertion of a homestead exemption over two adjacent properties, one with a single-family home and the other with a manufactured home occupied by their adult son.

Fifth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Selective Building Code Enforcement Lawsuit

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit alleging selective enforcement of building codes. The plaintiff claimed a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The court found the complaint failed to state a claim.

Ninth Circuit Opinion: Arizona Mining Reform Coalition v. US Forest Service

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against a land exchange mandated by the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. The court found that plaintiffs' claims under NEPA, NHPA, RFRA, and the Constitution were unlikely to succeed on the merits.