Free Newsletter
Criminal – Unlawful wounding by mob conviction is affirmed
Kevin Jefferson's conviction for unlawful wounding by mob in Norfolk is affirmed, supported by victim testimony and video evidence of a violent attack.
South Carolina lawyer Murdaugh’s murder conviction overturned
South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Richard Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction due to jury tampering by county clerk Becky Hill, ordering a new trial.
When not to believe (your lyin’ eyes)
Video frame rates affect the interpretation of surveillance footage in criminal cases, impacting perceptions of actions and culpability.
Criminal – Sentence for ‘unusually heinous’ conduct is affirmed
The 4th Circuit affirmed the sentence of Joseph Bourabah for unusually heinous harassment conduct in EDVA, rejecting his challenges to counsel and plea withdrawal.
Criminal – Sentence wasn’t unreasonable despite deportation consequences
The 4th Circuit affirmed a supervised release sentence for Heliberto Figueroa Gomez despite deportation consequences under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a).
Appeals – Waiver in plea agreement forecloses most arguments on appeal
The 4th Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part an appeal based on the appeal waiver in Ceara Smith's plea agreement in EDVA.
Criminal – Motion to suppress backpack denied where defendant abandoned item
The 4th Circuit affirmed denial of Austin Lodge's motion to suppress a backpack abandoned within the curtilage of a home despite privacy expectations.
Short seller Andrew Left to stand trial in LA over manipulation charges
Andrew Left faces criminal trial in Los Angeles for alleged stock market manipulation and securities fraud involving Nvidia and Tesla shares.
Criminal – Probable cause includes dog’s positive alert for narcotics
Virginia circuit court affirms probable cause based on police dog Vudu’s positive narcotics alert during traffic stop in Cason case.
Criminal – Evidence supports obstruction of justice conviction
The Henrico Circuit Court affirmed Ronald Hickman's obstruction of justice conviction after he resisted officers' efforts to place him in a squad car following his arrest.
Search & Seizure – Inventory search exception applies to warrantless search
The 4th Circuit ruled that inventory search exception applies to warrantless search of Milton Allen's bags in Raleigh, reversing suppression of evidence.
Criminal – Police officer convicted of stealing money from evidence room
The Virginia court affirmed the conviction of Tiffaney N. Bratton for embezzlement of public funds from the South Boston Police Department evidence room.
Verdicts & Settlements
- 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
- Motor Vehicle Negligence Woman struck by vehicle loses senses of taste, smell
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Pedestrian struck by car while in parking lot
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Driver fractures right leg in tractor-trailer collision
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Motorcyclist hit by car suffers two broken wrists
- Medical Malpractice – Young patient commits suicide while on psychoactive drugs
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Art teacher’s hand injured in collision
Opinion Digests
- Criminal – Unlawful wounding by mob conviction is affirmed
- Patent and trademark – Amazon largely prevails on patent claims
- Criminal – Sentence for ‘unusually heinous’ conduct is affirmed
- Criminal – Sentence wasn’t unreasonable despite deportation consequences
- Appeals – Waiver in plea agreement forecloses most arguments on appeal
- Appeals – Appellant’s informal brief forfeited appellate review
- Employment – Failure to exhaust administrative remedies dooms Title VII suit
- Jurors – Dishonest juror didn’t violate defendant’s Sixth Amendment rights
- Criminal – Motion to suppress backpack denied where defendant abandoned item
- Civil Rights – Officer denied immunity in fatal shooting case
- Civil Rights – No qualified immunity on excessive force police K-9 claim
- Criminal – Probable cause includes dog’s positive alert for narcotics
