Courts & Litigation

NC Supreme Court Reverses Joint Employment Ruling in Lassiter Case

The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling in Lassiter v. Robeson Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, clarifying the state's joint employment doctrine. The court held that the plaintiff did not meet the control requirement for joint employment, reversing the finding that Truesdell Corporation was a joint employer.

State v. Kelliher - NC Supreme Court Resentencing Authority Opinion

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued an opinion in State v. Kelliher, addressing resentencing authority. The court reversed a lower court's decision, clarifying the scope of a sentencing court's mandate following a prior appeal. This ruling impacts how resentencing orders are interpreted and executed in North Carolina.

State v. Bracey - Possession of Stolen Firearm

The Supreme Court of North Carolina affirmed a lower court's decision in State v. Bracey, finding sufficient evidence that the defendant knew or should have known the firearm in his possession was stolen. The ruling upholds the conviction for possession of a stolen firearm.

State v. Allison - Castle Doctrine Defense Review

The North Carolina Supreme Court is reviewing a case concerning the castle doctrine defense in a second-degree murder conviction. The court will determine if the trial court's jury instructions on this defense constituted plain error, as the defendant claims he shot the victim while the victim was in the doorway of his residence.

State v. Calderon - NC Supreme Court Upholds Convictions

The North Carolina Supreme Court has upheld convictions in the case of State v. Calderon, rejecting an appeals court ruling that had reversed one of the convictions. The case involves charges of taking indecent liberties with a child. The Supreme Court's decision clarifies the application of the law in this specific instance.

People v. Anderson - Criminal Law

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction for second-degree murder in People v. Anderson. The court held that the Appellate Division applied the correct legal standard when reviewing the weight of the evidence in a case relying solely on circumstantial proof.

Rutgers University v. AFSCME Local 888 - Title IX Preemption

The Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that the grievance procedure in a collective negotiation agreement between Rutgers University and AFSCME Local 888 is preempted by federal Title IX Regulations. The Court found that the agreement's arbitration process excluded the alleged victim, violating the requirement that grievance procedures apply equally to both parties.

State v. Jamel Carlton - Persistent Offender Sentencing

The Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in State v. Jamel Carlton that the error in sentencing a persistent offender without a jury finding, as per Erlinger v. United States, is subject to harmless error review. The Court found the error harmless in this specific case but called for legislative revision of the statute.

State v. Gerald W. Butler - New Jersey Supreme Court Opinion

The New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed defendant Gerald W. Butler's conviction for controlled dangerous substances offenses. The Court considered whether prosecutorial comments and the admission of evidence portraying Butler as a violent, organized criminal deprived him of a fair trial. The Court found that while individual errors did not warrant overturning the convictions, the cumulative effect of the errors was significant.

C.A.L. v. State of New Jersey - Civil Rights and Tort Claims

The Supreme Court of New Jersey considered whether the Heck v. Humphrey favorable-termination rule applies to claims under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. The Court reviewed a case where a plaintiff's parole was revoked and later reinstated, impacting the timeliness of her subsequent civil claims.