7th Circuit Case Commentaries

Probable Cause in Unauthorized Arrests: McBride v. Grice and City of Peoria

Date: Aug 12, 2009

Probable Cause in Unauthorized Arrests: McBride v. Grice and City of Peoria Introduction The case of Dytaniel McBride and Englewood TP Corporation, Inc. v. Brian E. Grice and City of Peoria, Illinois...

Constructive Possession and "In Furtherance of" Drug Trafficking Crimes: Insights from United States v. Lonnie D. Morris

Date: Aug 11, 2009

Constructive Possession and "In Furtherance of" Drug Trafficking Crimes: Insights from United States v. Lonnie D. Morris Introduction United States of America v. Lonnie D. Morris is a significant...

Defrauding Public Funds through Enterprise Zone Property Sales: Analysis of United States v. Roosevelt Powell and Willie Harris

Date: Aug 8, 2009

Defrauding Public Funds through Enterprise Zone Property Sales: Analysis of United States v. Roosevelt Powell and Willie Harris Introduction In the case of United States of America v. Roosevelt...

Employer Liability for Co-Worker Harassment Under Title VII: Porter v. Erie Foods International

Date: Aug 8, 2009

Employer Liability for Co-Worker Harassment Under Title VII: Porter v. Erie Foods International Introduction Tremeyne Porter v. Erie Foods International, Inc., 576 F.3d 629 (7th Cir. 2009), is a...

United States v. Woods: Redefining 'Crime of Violence' in Sentencing Guidelines

Date: Aug 6, 2009

United States v. Woods: Redefining 'Crime of Violence' in Sentencing Guidelines Introduction In United States v. Vernon Woods, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit addressed a...

7th Circuit Establishes Illinois Consumer Fraud Act Requires Significant Illinois Nexus

Date: Aug 6, 2009

7th Circuit Establishes Illinois Consumer Fraud Act Requires Significant Illinois Nexus Introduction In the landmark case of CRICHTON v. GOLDEN RULE INSURANCE COmpany, decided by the United States...

Excessive Force and Qualified Immunity: The Renbarger Decision

Date: Aug 4, 2009

Excessive Force and Qualified Immunity: The Renbarger Decision Introduction The case of Joe Baird, et al. v. John Renbarger, decided by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on...

Limiting Attorney's Fees in Multi-Lawyer FDCPA Cases: Schlacher v. Rotche

Date: Aug 4, 2009

Limiting Attorney's Fees in Multi-Lawyer FDCPA Cases: Schlacher v. Rotche Introduction In the case of Jean Schlacher, et al. v. Law Offices of Phillip J. Rotche Associates, P.C., heard by the United...

Procedural Default of Vienna Convention Claims in §2255 Motions: Sandoval v. United States

Date: Aug 1, 2009

Procedural Default of Vienna Convention Claims in §2255 Motions: Sandoval v. United States Introduction Hector Sandoval v. United States of America is a notable appellate decision by the United...

Establishing Municipal Liability for First Amendment Retaliation: Valentino v. Village of South Chicago Heights

Date: Jul 31, 2009

Establishing Municipal Liability for First Amendment Retaliation: Valentino v. Village of South Chicago Heights Introduction Sandra L. Valentino v. Village of South Chicago Heights is a pivotal case...

Age Discrimination and the Cat's Paw Doctrine: Insights from Martino v. Verizon Business Services

Date: Jul 29, 2009

Age Discrimination and the Cat's Paw Doctrine: Insights from Martino v. Verizon Business Services Introduction In the landmark case of Guy R. Martino v. MCI Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a...

Establishing the Boundaries of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Analysis of Wyatt v. United States

Date: Jul 29, 2009

Establishing the Boundaries of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Analysis of Wyatt v. United States Introduction The case of John M. Wyatt v. United States of America, adjudicated by the United...

Limits of Cruel and Unusual Punishment and Protected Petitioning in Prisoner Rights: Dobbey v. Illinois Dept. of Corrections

Date: Jul 29, 2009

Limits of Cruel and Unusual Punishment and Protected Petitioning in Prisoner Rights: Dobbey v. Illinois Department of Corrections Introduction Dobbey v. Illinois Department of Corrections, 574 F.3d...

Procedural Default in Habeas Corpus: The Johnson v. Hulett Decision and its Implications

Date: Jul 28, 2009

Procedural Default in Habeas Corpus: The Johnson v. Hulett Decision and its Implications Introduction Kathrean Johnson v. Melody Hulett, Warden (574 F.3d 428, 7th Cir. 2009) is a pivotal case that...

Establishing Due Process Rights in Municipal Employment: Casna v. City of Loves Park

Date: Jul 25, 2009

Establishing Due Process Rights in Municipal Employment: Casna v. City of Loves Park Introduction Casna v. City of Loves Park, 574 F.3d 420 (7th Cir. 2009), represents a significant appellate...

Affirmation of Admissibility of Gang Membership Evidence in Conspiracy Trials: United States v. Alviar et al.

Date: Jul 24, 2009

Affirmation of Admissibility of Gang Membership Evidence in Conspiracy Trials: United States v. Alviar et al. Introduction In the landmark case of United States of America v. Juan Alviar, Rodolfo...

Proper Evaluation of Non-Treating Medical Opinions in Disability Claims: Ke v. Simila

Date: Jul 23, 2009

Proper Evaluation of Non-Treating Medical Opinions in Disability Claims: Ke v. Simila Introduction The case of Kevin G. Simila versus Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security was...

Qualified Immunity Affirmed in False Arrest and Excessive Force Case: Catlin v. City of Wheaton

Date: Jul 22, 2009

Qualified Immunity Affirmed in False Arrest and Excessive Force Case: Catlin v. City of Wheaton Introduction The case of Jonathan A. Catlin v. City of Wheaton et al. addresses critical issues...

Affirmation of Summary Judgment in Hobbs v. City of Chicago: Implications for Employment Discrimination Law

Date: Jul 22, 2009

Affirmation of Summary Judgment in Hobbs v. City of Chicago: Implications for Employment Discrimination Law Introduction The case of Kelly Hobbs v. City of Chicago, adjudicated by the United States...

Apex Digital, Inc. v. Sears Roebuck Co.: Establishing Protocol for Factual Challenges to Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Date: Jul 17, 2009

Apex Digital, Inc. v. Sears Roebuck Co.: Establishing Protocol for Factual Challenges to Subject Matter Jurisdiction Introduction Apex Digital, Inc. v. Sears Roebuck Company is a pivotal case...