The Michigan Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s decision to move forward with the trial of Ethan Cao, a Michigan State University fraternity member, under Michigan’s anti-hazing law, known as Garret’s Law. This marks the first time the court has directly addressed the statute, which criminalizes hazing activities.…
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U.S. Court Recommends Freezing Assets in Uruguay Fraud Case
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has recommended granting a request to freeze assets held in the U.S. that are connected to a criminal investigation in Uruguay. The case involves allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds by Sara Silvia Goldring Waisbiot, a majority owner and…
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Ohio Court of Appeals Sides with Butler County Sheriff’s Office in Public Records Case
The Cincinnati Enquirer recently lost a battle in the Ohio Court of Appeals regarding access to inmate phone call records. The court sided with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), ruling that a requested call log detailing calls made by an inmate is not a “public record” under Ohio law…
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Court Upholds Sentence in Drug and Gun Case, Dismisses Some Arguments
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and sentence of Mario Lenard Elbert, who was found guilty of drug and gun crimes. Elbert had appealed his sentence, raising several arguments, but the court dismissed some of them due to a plea agreement he signed. The Charges and…
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Fifth Circuit Upholds Conviction in Gun Case, Citing Historical Tradition
In a recent ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Juan Alaniz, who was found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition despite being a convicted felon. The court rejected Alaniz’s arguments that the law under which he was convicted was unconstitutional. The Legal Battle:…
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Nebraska Supreme Court Upholds Murder Convictions, Corrects Sentencing Error
The Nebraska Supreme Court recently weighed in on the case of Adam L. Price, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of his two young children. The court affirmed the convictions but made a crucial correction to the sentencing, eliminating credit for time served. The Case’s Origins In…
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Court Upholds Convictions in Wood County Case, Rejecting Double Jeopardy Claim
The Sixth Appellate District Court of Ohio has affirmed the convictions and sentences of Jake I. Hoffman, who was appealing judgments from the Wood County Court of Common Pleas. The case, which involved multiple charges stemming from incidents in early 2024, centered on Hoffman’s claims that two of his convictions…
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Wyoming Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Sexual Abuse Case
The Wyoming Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Ryan Dale Townsend on one count of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor, rejecting his arguments that the jury instructions were flawed. The case, which originated in Natrona County, involved allegations of abuse against a minor identified as VL. Background of…
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Court Slaps Attorney with Sanctions for AI-Generated Legal Errors
The California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One, has issued a ruling that serves as a cautionary tale for attorneys increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) in their legal practice. The court found that attorney LeRoy George Siddell violated several professional conduct rules by submitting a legal brief…
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Court Tosses Out “Frivolous” Lawsuit Filled with Conspiracy Theories
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has dismissed a lawsuit filed by John William Liccione, deeming his claims “patently frivolous” and lacking a substantial federal question. The court’s decision, issued on October 3, 2025, ends the case against VR Systems, Inc., its CEO, and numerous government officials.…