Free Newsletter
SCOTUS News: Retro application of anti-stacking sentencing amendment rejected
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the First Step Act's anti-stacking amendment to 18 U.S.C. §924(c) does not justify retroactive sentence reductions.
Criminal- Drug conspiracy defendant’s compassionate release motion is denied
The EDVA denied Jose Fredy Delcid's compassionate release motion, finding no extraordinary or compelling reasons for sentence reduction.
Prisons – Prisoner’s sentence is reduced yet again
Kareem Allen Shaw’s sentence was further reduced to 175 months by the western district of virginia due to changes in career offender guidelines.
Criminal – Second motion for sentence reduction is denied
The 4th Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Christopher Smith's second motion for sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) in EDVA.
Criminal: Sex offender denied compassionate release
Where a man who pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement and penalties for registered sex offender filed a motion for compassionate release, it was denied. He failed to show extraordinary and compelling medical conditions under the statute, and the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors do not support a reduced sentence.
Criminal: Heroin conspiracy defendant’s compassionate release motion is granted
Where a defendant’s sentencing range today would be significantly shorter than the range at the time of his sentencing, his record of rehabilitation is a strong one and the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors were in his favor, his 196-month sentence was reduced to time served as of Nov. 17, 2025.
Prisons: Murder-for-hire conspirator denied compassionate release
Where a man who pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit murder-for-hire failed to show that he should be granted early compassionate release, his motion was denied.
Prisons: Relatives’ medical issues aren’t sufficient for compassionate release
Where an inmate moved for compassionate release because he might be a suitable kidney donor for his half-brother and because his uncle is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but he failed to sufficiently prove the factual basis for these assertions, his compassionate release motion was denied.
Prisons: Compassionate release denied to robbery and murder defendant
Where a man initiated a plot that he knew would result in murder sought an early compassionate release, his motion was denied.
Legal Tech
- A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR : New dedicated coverage of tech challenges facing law firms and legal departments
- Gemini Legal launches DraftEngine for civil litigation forms
- Lawyers continue to grapple with AI ethical issues
Verdicts & Settlements
- Medical Malpractice – Death from cancer followed stomach pain misdiagnosis
- Workers’ Compensation – Seasonal worker paralyzed in tobacco baler accident
- Medical Malpractice – Jurors side with doctor in suit over rescue surgery
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Unicycle rider dies after being hit by car
- Premises Liability – Delivery driver injured by porch decking collapse
Opinion Digests
- Prisons – Compassionate release denied despite end-stage renal disease
- Criminal – Allen charge wasn’t abuse of discretion
- Evidence – Expert’s exclusion from trial deemed harmless
- Parent and child – Mother held in contempt for violating visitation order
- Criminal – Court refuses to continue trial despite missing witness
- Criminal – Meth defendant wasn’t entitled to sentencing safety valve
- Tort – Comments about plaintiff were protected opinions
