US Courts

City of Middleton v. Office of Commissioner of Railroads

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals issued an opinion in City of Middleton v. The Office of Commissioner of Railroads (Case No. 2024AP002222) released March 31, 2026. The case involves an administrative appeal concerning railroad regulation in Dane County, District 4.

Kevin Schneider v. Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion in Kevin Schneider v. Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan (Case No. 2024AP002143) on March 31, 2026. The case, decided in Milwaukee County (District 1), involves a dispute between Kevin Schneider and the Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan. The full opinion is available via PDF from the court's electronic opinions system.

State v. Laurence C. Paine civil appeal 2024AP002023

State v. Laurence C. Paine civil appeal 2024AP002023

State v. Hernandez - Evidence Ruling, Appellate Review Standards

The Nebraska Court of Appeals issued State v. Hernandez on March 31, 2026, addressing appellate review standards for evidence rulings and trial court procedures in criminal cases. The court analyzed the abuse of discretion standard for reviewing trial court decisions on evidence admissibility, motions for mistrial, and sentencing enhancements. The decision affirms Nebraska's established framework for appellate review while applying these standards to specific evidence and procedural issues raised by the defendant.

State v. Hearnes - Criminal Appeal

The Nebraska Court of Appeals issued an opinion in State v. Hearnes, addressing issues of trial joinder and hearsay evidence in a criminal appeal. The court applied the joinder test to determine whether the trial court properly joined multiple offenses for a single trial and evaluated hearsay evidence under the relevant exceptions to the Rules of Evidence.

Mitchell v. Mitchell - Child Support Modification Appeal

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of David D. Mitchell Jr.'s motion to modify child support. Mitchell argued that his substantially reduced income following his business bankruptcy warranted a reduction in his child support obligation. The appellate court upheld the district court's finding that Mitchell's gross monthly income of $4,063 plus $400 in food stamps did not constitute a sufficient material change in circumstances to justify modifying or suspending child support obligations.

State v. Britsch - Speedy Trial Rights

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's order denying Gunnar Britsch's motion for absolute discharge based on statutory speedy trial violations under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-1207. The court upheld that 69 days were properly excluded from the 6-month speedy trial period as 'good cause' due to judicial recusal and rescheduling, extending the deadline from June 7 to August 16, 2024. The State successfully demonstrated sufficient excludable time to avoid absolute discharge.

Climer v. Wilson - Custody Modification Appeal

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the Saunders County District Court's denial of Melanie Climer's complaint to modify custody arrangements and dismissal of her contempt application against Israel Wilson. The appellate court upheld the original custody order under case No. A-25-311, finding no abuse of discretion in the lower court's decision.

Villegas v. Bridges, Inc. - Workers' Compensation Subrogation

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's allocation of $3,000,000 in third-party settlement proceeds from a wrongful death claim, awarding the workers' compensation insurer Zurich American $27,612.21 for past payments and a $47,891.22 credit for future payments, with $72,387.79 to the estate. The appellate court rejected appellants' claim that the division was not 'fair and equitable' under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-118.04.

State v. Swartz - Postconviction Relief Denial

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the Hall County District Court's denial of Anthoney Swartz's motion for postconviction relief. Swartz claimed ineffective assistance of appellate counsel and lack of jurisdiction due to delayed probation revocation proceedings. The court rejected these arguments, finding the district court had jurisdiction and the claims were procedurally barred.