Free Newsletter
Massachusetts judge’s gift to crime victim sparks request for new trial
A couple serving decades in prison for sex trafficking is arguing they deserve a new trial after prosecutors disclosed that the federal judge who oversaw the case passed them a handwritten card and gift meant for the victim during sentencing.
Retro application of anti-stacking sentencing amendment rejected
The U.S. Supreme Court rules First Step Act sentencing changes cannot justify compassionate release for inmates sentenced before the law's 2018 passage.
Former judge Hannah Dugan to be sentenced for obstructing ICE agents
Former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan will be sentenced for obstructing ICE agents after a federal jury convicted her of a felony.
Supreme Court limits reasons to revoke supervised release
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a federal judge could not consider the need to “promote respect for the law” in deciding whether to revoke a drug defendant’s supervised release.
SCOTUS widens door to First Step Act sentencing relief
SCOTUS rules First Step Act applies retroactively to defendants with vacated sentences, easing penalties for certain firearm-related convictions.
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Substantive Reasonableness
Where a defendant challenged his sentence in a felon-in-possession case, the district court adequately explained the considerations that it weighed, and the sentence was substantively reasonable. Judgment is affirmed. U.S. […]
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Domestic Assault-“Actual Innocence”
Where a defendant challenged the denial of his motion to vacate his sentence for the crime of domestic assault by a habitual offender in Indian country, the conviction for simple […]
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Career Offender-Rule of Lenity
Where a defendant challenged the application of a career offender enhancement at sentencing, the defendant did not show that the rule of lenity was triggered on plain error review, so […]
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Appeal Waiver
Where a defendant challenged the sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty to a drug offense, the plea agreement included an appeal waiver that was valid, enforceable and applicable to the […]
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Bazell -Probation
Where a defendant, whose probation was revoked, challenged the judgment overruling her motion for post-conviction relief from sentences imposed in 2017 for felony stealing, the defendant was on probation and […]
Sentencing Bazell Guilty Plea
Where a defendant who originally pleaded guilty to stealing challenged the revocation of his probation and sentence for felony stealing, the trial court erred in sentencing the defendant for a […]
Criminal Law: Sentencing-Life Imprisonment
Where a defendant, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murders of his grandparents when he was 19, challenged Section […]
Legal Tech
- How ransomware tactics against law firms are changing
- How large language models are leveling the personal injury playing field
- Attorney Share, Lawmatics integrate to automate law firm referrals
Latest Opinion Digests
- Insurance-Interpleader-Competing Claims to Insurance Proceeds
- Employer-Employee-Discrimination-Hostile Work Environment
- Criminal Law-Rape-Oral and Written Judgments
- Torts-Defamation-Official Immunity
- Real Property-Adverse Possession-Oral Agreement for Sale
- Domestic Relations-Termination of Parental Rights-Parental Unfitness
- Criminal Law-Violation of Order of Protection-Scope of Cross-Examination
Top stories
- Injured motorist recovers policy limits, plus medical damages in under a year
- Mother obtains six-figure settlement after rear-end crash leads to lifelong pain
- 8th Circuit affirms denial of preliminary injunction against SB 751
- New dedicated coverage of tech challenges facing law firms and legal departments
- Parity Act claim against insurer for child’s treatment survives motion to dismiss
- ABA opinion addresses client restrictions in engagement letters
- U.S. District Court allows plaintiffs to amend complaint alleging fraud
- AAA Insurance faces $21.5M bad faith verdict in Clay County
