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Recent Articles from Pat Murphy
‘Abscondment’ doesn’t toll term of supervised release, SCOTUS rules
U.S. Supreme Court rules absconding does not extend supervised release, resolving a circuit split in Rico v. United States.
SCOTUS sides with street preacher in First Amendment case
The U.S. Supreme Court allows a street preacher’s First Amendment challenge to proceed, ruling prior conviction does not bar prospective §1983 relief.
Supreme Court backs parents in school gender policy case
U.S. Supreme Court sides with parents challenging California school policies on gender transitioning disclosures, citing First Amendment and due process rights.
SCOTUS sets high bar for overturning ‘persecution’ ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court rules courts must defer to immigration agencies when reviewing asylum persecution determinations under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
SCOTUS: State-created transit corp. not immune from PI suits
U.S. Supreme Court rules New Jersey Transit is not entitled to sovereign immunity, allowing negligence lawsuits over bus accidents in New York and Pennsylvania.
Judge could limit mid-testimony consult with counsel, SCOTUS rules
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Texas judge did not violate the Sixth Amendment by limiting attorney discussions during a mid-testimony, overnight recess in a murder trial.
SCOTUS upholds nixing of product liability defense judgment
U.S. Supreme Court rules federal court lacked diversity jurisdiction in Hain Celestial baby food case, vacating judgment after improper dismissal of Whole Foods.
SCOTUS: Postal Service can’t be sued for ‘intentional’ failure to deliver mail
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the FTCA’s postal exception bars claims over intentional mail nondelivery, shielding USPS under sovereign immunity.
SCOTUS: ICE detention facility contractor couldn’t appeal
U.S. Supreme Court rules federal contractors cannot immediately appeal denial of a Yearsley defense in ICE detention labor class action.
SCOTUS rejects ’emergency’ tariffs imposed by Trump
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled IEEPA does not authorize President Trump to impose tariffs targeting drug trafficking or trade deficits.
SCOTUS reverses new trial order in attempted murder case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled federal courts misapplied AEDPA by granting habeas relief to a Maryland man convicted of attempted murder.
Restitution can’t be ordered for pre-MVRA crime, SCOTUS rules
The Supreme Court ruled restitution under the MVRA is criminal punishment and cannot be imposed retroactively for crimes committed before the law took effect in 1996.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Medical Malpractice-Patient received spleen injury during colonoscopy
- Medical Malpractice – Patient suffers complications from improper cyst removal
- Motor Vehicle Negligence Henrico driver sustained wrist fracture in five-car collision
- Medical Malpractice-Patient dies following blood loss in surgery
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Defense points to plaintiff’s prior collision, stressors
- Medical Malpractice – Ingrown toenail removal leads to CRPS type 2
- Motor Vehicle Negligence Rear-seat passenger injured when car hits telephone pole
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Car crash after back surgery causes additional injuries
- Medical Malpractice – Jurors side with cardiologist over treatment of strokes
- Negligence and Tort- Ice pack use during tattoo removal causes frostbite
- Workers’ Compensation Struck by metal door at workplace, plaintiff sustains subdural hematoma
Opinion Digests
- Prisons – VDOC must respond to discovery requests
- Criminal – Spouses convicted of construction fraud
- Landlord and tenant – Tenant’s challenge to eviction is dismissed
- Tort – Lawsuit by ‘sting’ victim against conservative organization is dismissed
- Criminal – Defendant’s request to withdraw guilty plea is denied
- Employment – Fairfax County prevails on firefighter’s employment claims
- Prisons – Multiple experts precluded in suit over inmate’s death
- Criminal – District court sufficiently explained resentencing decision
- Criminal – Wealth of evidence supports firearm possession conviction
- Criminal – District court wrongly refused to order forfeiture
- Criminal – Man convicted of killing informant
- Negligence – Jury will decide if business was negligent in slip-and-fall case
