US Courts

State v. Tilkins - Criminal Appeal

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed Kevin A. Tilkins, Sr.'s convictions for assault by strangulation (Class IIIA felony), third degree domestic assault (Class I misdemeanor), and two counts of child abuse (Class I misdemeanors). The appellate court rejected Tilkins' challenges to evidence sufficiency and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. This decision upholds the Buffalo County District Court judgment from case No. A-25-526.

Secretary of Labor v. Knight Hawk Coal - Interlocutory Appeal Jurisdiction

The D.C. Circuit dismissed the Secretary of Labor's interlocutory appeals in consolidated cases (Nos. 24-1293, 24-1294) involving mine operators Knight Hawk Coal and Crimson Oak Grove Resources, finding it lacked jurisdiction to review nonfinal Commission orders. The court held that the Secretary's attempts to modify citations by removing S&S designations or vacating citations without explanation did not meet the collateral-order doctrine exception to the final-judgment rule.

Secretary of Labor v. Knight Hawk Coal - MSHA Settlement Authority Interlocutory Review

The D.C. Circuit dismissed petitions for review filed by the Secretary of Labor seeking interlocutory review of Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission orders. The court held that nonfinal Commission orders denying the Secretary's motions to settle or modify MSHA citations are not immediately appealable under the collateral-order doctrine. The Secretary must await final decisions before seeking appellate review.

World Shipping Council v. FMC - Vessel Space Rule Challenge Denied

The DC Circuit denied the World Shipping Council's petition challenging the FMC's final rule defining 'unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate' regarding vessel space accommodations. The court upheld 46 C.F.R. § 542.1, finding the rule within the Commission's statutory authority and not arbitrary or capricious. The rule remains in effect for ocean common carriers operating in U.S. foreign commerce.

State v. Sexton - Vehicular Homicide Conviction Affirmed

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Jennifer Leigh Sexton's conviction for vehicular homicide by recklessness and related offenses, upholding an effective 10-year sentence. The court rejected the defendant's claims that the trial court improperly admitted expert testimony, erred in jury instructions, and lacked sufficient evidence for the false report conviction. All three appellate issues were found to lack merit.

McBee v. State - Recusal Appeal Denied

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals denied Jacquiz McBee's petition for recusal appeal as untimely and for failure to attach required documents. The petition was filed 22 days after the February 18, 2026 deadline (21 days from the January 28, 2026 trial court order). The court also found the petition deficient because no trial court order, pleadings, or supporting documents were attached. Costs of the proceeding were taxed to the State of Tennessee.

State v Russell - Firearm Possession After Felony Drug Conviction

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Charles Hubert Russell's conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony drug conviction. The court rejected Russell's Second Amendment challenge to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307(b)(1)(B), finding the statute constitutional as applied to defendants with multiple prior felony drug convictions.

Z. v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al - Product Liability

United States District Court Northern District of California docketed civil case H. Z. v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al (Case No. 3:26-cv-02783) on March 31, 2026. Plaintiff H. Z. filed a short-form complaint alleging personal injury product liability claims against Uber Technologies, Inc., Rasier, LLC, and Rasier-CA, LLC, with a filing fee of $405.

State v. Kane - DV Reporting Conviction Reversed

The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division One reversed Sean Kane's conviction for interfering with domestic violence reporting due to insufficient evidence. The appellate court remanded to the trial court to vacate that conviction while affirming all other convictions. The case arose from alleged prohibited contact with Kane's estranged wife despite a DV protection order.

In the Matter of the Detention of I.H. - Involuntary Mental Health Commitment Affirmed

The Court of Appeals of Washington Division One affirmed a 14-day involuntary treatment order for I.H., rejecting claims that video appearance violated due process and that the trial court disregarded Involuntary Treatment Act requirements. The court found any constitutional error was not manifest. The case involved testimony from hospital court evaluators and a Washington State Patrol trooper regarding I.H.'s mental health condition and likelihood of harm.