Puerto Rico Case Commentaries

People v. Ceus (2026 CO 59): Omitted “Resulted in Death” Enhancer Finding Is Instructional Error but May Be Constitutionally Harmless; “Results in” Requires But-For Causation, Not Proximate Cause

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Omitted “Resulted in Death” Enhancer Finding in Colorado Child Abuse Trials: Error, But Potentially Harmless Beyond a Reasonable Doubt; “Results in” Means But-For Causation Case: The People of the...

Colorado Single-Subject Rule: An Initiative Violates the Single Subject Requirement When Its Effectiveness Is Conditioned on Passage of a Separate Initiative

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Colorado Single-Subject Rule: An Initiative Violates the Single Subject Requirement When Its Effectiveness Is Conditioned on Passage of a Separate Initiative Decision: Balink v. Nathan (In re Title,...

§ 13-81-103(1)(b) Imposes a One-Year Survival-Action Deadline for Decedents Under Disability Regardless of Legal Representative

Date: Jul 3, 2026

§ 13-81-103(1)(b) Imposes a One-Year Survival-Action Deadline for Decedents Under Disability Regardless of Legal Representative 1. Introduction In City of Grand Junction & Pub. Serv. Co. of Colo. v....

§922(g)(4) After Rahimi and Hemani: As-Applied Validity Turns on Current Dangerousness and an Evidentiary Record

Date: Jul 3, 2026

§922(g)(4) After Rahimi and Hemani: As-Applied Validity Turns on Current Dangerousness and an Evidentiary Record Case: United States v. Jonathan S. Rose (7th Cir. July 2, 2026) Panel: Easterbrook,...

Rule 16(b)(1)(A) Defense Production May Support Rule 901(b)(4) Authentication Without Violating the Right to Testify

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Rule 16(b)(1)(A) Defense Production May Support Rule 901(b)(4) Authentication Without Violating the Right to Testify I. Introduction In United States v. Luisito Espanola (7th Cir. July 1, 2026), the...

Performance-Based Violence by Sports Hooligans Lacks “Nexus” to Asylum Protected Grounds; New Social Group Theories Must Be Raised Before the IJ

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Performance-Based Violence by Sports Hooligans Lacks “Nexus” to Asylum Protected Grounds; New Social Group Theories Must Be Raised Before the IJ Case: Bojan Andric v. Todd W. Blanche, No. 25-1448...

Paragon Metals: Anti-Reliance Clauses Do Not Impose a “Reasonable Due Diligence” Duty or Bar Contractual Fraud Absent True Willful Blindness

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Paragon Metals: Anti-Reliance Clauses Do Not Impose a “Reasonable Due Diligence” Duty or Bar Contractual Fraud Absent True Willful Blindness Case: Paragon Metals Holdings, LLC v. Michael J. Smith...

Dismissal With Prejudice of a Pro Se In Forma Pauperis Shotgun Pleading After Notice and a Final Opportunity to Amend

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Dismissal With Prejudice of a Pro Se In Forma Pauperis Shotgun Pleading After Notice and a Final Opportunity to Amend 1. Introduction In Ivette Echenique v. Hamilton Hospital, the Eleventh Circuit...

Rutherford Bars Compassionate Release Based on Nonretroactive Statutory Sentencing Changes; Age Alone Does Not Satisfy § 1B1.13(b)(2)

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Rutherford Bars Compassionate Release Based on Nonretroactive Statutory Sentencing Changes; Age Alone Does Not Satisfy § 1B1.13(b)(2) I. Introduction United States v. Gilberto Chineag (11th Cir. July...

State v. Wright (2026): SB 751 Discovery Amendments Apply by Alleged Offense Date, Not Charging Date

Date: Jul 3, 2026

State v. Wright (2026): SB 751 Discovery Amendments Apply by Alleged Offense Date, Not Charging Date 1. Introduction Case: State v. Wright, 375 Or 383 (Supreme Court of Oregon, July 2, 2026)...

McCaffrey v. Anderson (2026 UT 14): Rational-Basis Validation of Time-Limited Landowner Opt-Outs in Utah Incorporations

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Rational-Basis Validation of Time-Limited “Specified Landowner” Exclusion Rights in Utah Municipal Incorporations Case: McCaffrey v. Anderson, 2026 UT 14 (Utah Sup. Ct. July 2, 2026) 1. Introduction...

Temporal Proximity Does Not Prove Retaliation Causation When Discipline Was Already Underway

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Temporal Proximity Does Not Prove Retaliation Causation When Discipline Was Already Underway Introduction In Wanda Jean-Baptiste v. City of Miami (11th Cir. July 2, 2026) (unpublished), the Eleventh...

Drug-Dog Alert During an Ongoing Traffic Stop Establishes Automobile-Exception Probable Cause; Marijuana Odor and “Shake” Support Search and Arrest

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Drug-Dog Alert During an Ongoing Traffic Stop Establishes Automobile-Exception Probable Cause; Marijuana Odor and “Shake” Support Search and Arrest 1. Introduction In United States v. Nicholas Smith...

JSIN Sentencing Averages, Without Defendant-Specific Comparators, Do Not Show an Unwarranted § 3553(a)(6) Disparity

Date: Jul 3, 2026

JSIN Sentencing Averages, Without Defendant-Specific Comparators, Do Not Show an Unwarranted § 3553(a)(6) Disparity 1. Introduction United States v. Uwa Nosakhare (11th Cir. July 1, 2026) is an...

Seniority-Plan Changes Are Discrete Title VII Acts Triggering the 180-Day EEOC Clock; Speculative Race Inferences and a Single Non-Racial Text Cannot Plead Discrimination or Hostile Environment

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Seniority-Plan Changes Are Discrete Title VII Acts Triggering the 180-Day EEOC Clock; Speculative Race Inferences and a Single Non-Racial Text Cannot Plead Discrimination or Hostile Environment 1....

People v. Harrell (3d Dept 2026): Constructive Possession and Statutory Intent Presumption Sustain Weapon Convictions; Belated Discovery Does Not Invalidate a COC Absent Lack of Due Diligence

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Constructive Possession Plus Penal Law § 265.15(4) Presumption Can Prove CPW 2°; a Single Belated Disclosure Does Not Invalidate a COC Without a Due-Diligence Failure 1. Introduction People v Harrell...

Faxed DME Orders and OMIG Recoupment: DME Policy Guidelines as Non‑SAPA Interpretive Directives and the Enforceable “Wet Signature” Requirement (Audit-Period Compliance Controls)

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Faxed DME Orders and OMIG Recoupment: DME Policy Guidelines as Non‑SAPA Interpretive Directives and the Enforceable “Wet Signature” Requirement (Audit-Period Compliance Controls) 1. Introduction...

Billed Hourly Rates Presumptively Set the Lodestar in Nevada Civil-Contempt Fee Awards Under NRS 22.100(3)

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Billed Hourly Rates Presumptively Set the Lodestar in Nevada Civil-Contempt Fee Awards Under NRS 22.100(3) 1. Introduction Lytle Trust v. Gerry R. Zobrist and Jolin G. Zobrist Family Trust (142 Nev.,...

Custodial-Parent Kidnapping in New York: Evasive Out-of-State Secreting Supports “Abduction,” Defeats Penal Law § 135.30, and Establishes Territorial Jurisdiction When Intent Manifests In-State

Date: Jul 3, 2026

Custodial-Parent Kidnapping in New York: Evasive Out-of-State Secreting Supports “Abduction,” Defeats Penal Law § 135.30, and Establishes Territorial Jurisdiction When Intent Manifests In-State 1....

No “Diligent Efforts” Duty in Social Services Law § 384-b Abandonment Proceedings; Valid Pro Se Waiver Requires a Searching Inquiry

Date: Jul 3, 2026

No “Diligent Efforts” Duty in Social Services Law § 384-b Abandonment Proceedings; Valid Pro Se Waiver Requires a Searching Inquiry Case: Matter of Wanye D. (Quincy D.), 2026 NY Slip Op 04244 (App....