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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.
Federal appeals court rules against Fairfax County in police shooting
The Fourth Circuit ruled that Fairfax County police officer Joshua Moser may have violated Jeffery Payne’s constitutional rights in a 2022 shooting.
For immunity, abuse complaint must follow statutory language
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that immunity under Va. Code § 63.2-1512 does not apply to nonmandatory reporters who bypass the Department of Social Services.
Employment – Court lacks jurisdiction over former IRS employee’s claims
The edva dismissed employment claims by former IRS employee Rebecca Thornock, finding the civil service reform act divests jurisdiction over such cases.
Criminal – Court denies writ of error coram nobis
The western district of Virginia denied Percival Norman Fenton's petition for a writ of error coram nobis, citing untimeliness and lack of fundamental error.
Constitutional – Search of probationer’s house was unlawful
The Fourth Circuit ruled that warrantless searches of a tenant-occupied home owned by a probationer violated the Fourth Amendment in a North Carolina case.
Tort – Court refuses to reinstate previously dismissed claims
The court denied Martin J. Misjuns's motion to reopen and amend his dismissed claims against the City of Lynchburg, citing untimeliness and lack of merit.
Federal judge finds Nexus Services owners in contempt over sale
A federal judge in Virginia found Nexus Services owners and buyer Libre Immigration Services in civil contempt for violating a court injunction on asset sale.
Wilkinson receives 2026 Outstanding Virginian Award
Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III received the 2026 Outstanding Virginian Award for his distinguished legal career and public service in Virginia.
Criminal – District court’s sentencing error deemed harmless
Where the district court erred in applying a career-offender enhancement, but it made clear it would have imposed the same sentence even without the enhancement, and the sentence was substantively […]
Court will not enjoin school board’s public comment policy
The 4th Circuit refused to block a school board policy barring speakers from criticizing individual students during meetings.
Administrative – Applicant granted disability benefits for her fibromyalgia
The 4th Circuit ruled an ALJ erred by discounting fibromyalgia symptoms and awarded Social Security disability benefits without remand.
Verdicts & Settlements
- 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
- Premises Liability- Gas grill explosion left mom with severe burn injuries
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Crash video showed force of Tesla rear-end collision
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – 74-year-old injured in two-vehicle crash
- Employment- Arbitrator finds unfair labor practices by school
- Medical Malpractice- Gallbladder removal surgery results in reparative procedure
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Car with mother, two children broadsided, rolled several times
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Driver, passenger suffer injuries after truck crosses into lane
- Fraud – Jury sides with couple in home construction case
Opinion Digests
- Criminal – Man convicted for role in robbery that ends in murder
- Search & Seizure – Search of defendant’s backpack was not unlawful
- Criminal – Man convicted of strangling, assaulting and abducting his romantic partner
- Criminal – Woman ordered to pay victim $4,359.28 for vehicle damage
- Evidence – Court didn’t err in admitting unavailable witness’s testimony
- Criminal – Sexually violent predator recommitted to Commonwealth’s custody
- Criminal – Felon is convicted for unlawful possession of firearm
- Criminal – Evidence shows police would have inevitably found firearm
- Criminal – Evidence supports fentanyl possession/distribution conviction
- Search & Seizure – Defendant wasn’t entitled to copy of search warrant
- Search & Seizure – Officer didn’t improperly extend traffic stop
- Negligence- Court won’t limit expert testimony at alleged malpractice trial
