State v. Evans - Criminal Appeal

The Ohio Twelfth District Court of Appeals affirmed a kidnapping conviction in State v. Evans based on sufficient evidence and manifest weight of the evidence, while reversing the postrelease control portion of the defendant's sentence. The trial court failed to properly advise the defendant regarding mandatory versus discretionary postrelease control, its duration, and consequences for violation.

State v. Campbell - Postconviction Relief Denied as Untimely

The Eleventh District Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed the Lake County Court of Common Pleas' denial of Todd D. Campbell Sr.'s motion for postconviction relief. Campbell, who pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and OVI in 2022 and received a 5-7.5 year mandatory prison sentence, filed an untimely postconviction relief petition which the trial court properly denied.

Arnoff v. Patterson - Legal Malpractice Summary Judgment Affirmed

The Ohio Court of Appeals, Eleventh District affirmed summary judgment in favor of Attorney David Patterson in a legal malpractice action brought by Bruce Arnoff. The appellate court found no genuine issues of material fact existed regarding Arnoff's claims that Patterson violated professional conduct rules during federal habeas representation. The trial court's judgment was affirmed in its entirety.

Smith v. State - IAD 180-Day Violation

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed dismissal with prejudice of charges against a prisoner whose request for final disposition under the Interstate Agreement on Detainers was not honored within the statutory 180-day period. The court rejected the State's attempt to characterize an unrecorded in-chambers scheduling conference as a valid 'open court' continuance. The opinion reinforces that the burden is entirely on the State to ensure compliance with IAD deadlines and that silent acquiescence cannot constitute waiver of IAD rights.

In re Nikko E.L. - Parental Rights Termination Appeal Dismissed

The Tennessee Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal in a juvenile parental rights termination case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The trial court's order terminating parental rights for only two of three children lacked the required certification language under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 54.02, making it non-final and non-appealable. The appellant was given 30 days to obtain a final judgment but failed to respond to the show cause order.

In Re Evalina H. - Parental Rights Termination

The Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed in part the Chancery Court for Gibson County in a parental rights termination case (No. W2025-00405-COA-R3-PT). The appellate court affirmed that the biological father did not willfully abandon the child by failing to visit, but reversed the finding regarding abandonment through failure to support. The court affirmed that termination would serve the child's best interest.

Aurora summary judgment granted in part, denied moot

Aurora summary judgment granted in part, denied moot

Reed v. Sandoval - Civil Rights Statute of Limitations Dismissal

Judge Philip A. Brimmer of the D. Colorado granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint, adopting the magistrate judge's recommendation. The plaintiff's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights claims against Stephanie Sandoval, Joseph Regalado, and Carly Rey-Hayes were dismissed as time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The case was filed on December 23, 2024 under docket No. 1:24-cv-03564.

Joseph Bowen v. City and County of Denver - Title VII Sex Discrimination

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado denied the City and County of Denver and Denver Sheriff Department's motion for summary judgment in a Title VII sex discrimination case. Sergeant Joseph Bowen alleged he was denied a promotion to captain in 2019 because of his male sex, noting that all three candidates promoted during that cycle were women. The Court found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial on the discrimination claim.

Wilkins v. Palomino - Civil Rights / DNA Seizure

The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado issued an order adopting a magistrate judge's recommendation on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment in Wilkins v. Palomino. Plaintiff Darus Wilkins, a pro se inmate, brings civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against prison officials at Bent County Correctional Facility regarding forced buccal swab collection for paternity testing. The Court ruled on Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendment constitutional claims.