Puerto Rico Case Commentaries

Mootness of Injunction Appeals When DHS Rescinds Reinstatement and a New Final Removal Order Supersedes the Dispute

Date: Jun 17, 2026

Mootness of Injunction Appeals When DHS Rescinds Reinstatement and a New Final Removal Order Supersedes the Dispute 1. Introduction Arguello v. Mullin (10th Cir. June 15, 2026) concerns a Venezuelan...

“Already Has Counsel” Under Crim. P. 35(c)(3)(V): Counsel-Filed Motions Cannot Be Supplemented by Appointed Counsel After Withdrawal

Date: Jun 17, 2026

“Already Has Counsel” Under Crim. P. 35(c)(3)(V): Counsel-Filed Motions Cannot Be Supplemented by Appointed Counsel After Withdrawal I. Introduction In People v. Roberts, 2026 CO 45, the Colorado...

State’s Mental-State Expert May Testify in Case-in-Chief; Trial Courts May Vary Order of Proof Under Rule 5-607(J)

Date: Jun 17, 2026

State’s Mental-State Expert May Testify in Case-in-Chief; Trial Courts May Vary Order of Proof Under Rule 5-607(J) I. Introduction In State v. Cuellar (N.M. June 15, 2026) (unpublished; Rule 12-405...

Post-Snyder Alternative-Theory Error: Multi-Object § 371 Conspiracies and Pinkerton FCPA Convictions Must Be Vacated Absent Certainty the Jury Convicted on a Valid Object

Date: Jun 17, 2026

Post-Snyder Alternative-Theory Error: Multi-Object § 371 Conspiracies and Pinkerton FCPA Convictions Must Be Vacated Absent Certainty the Jury Convicted on a Valid Object Case: United States v....

Matter of Chilliest: Rule 8.4(h) Applies Even When Misconduct Also Violates Other Rule 8.4 Provisions

Date: Jun 17, 2026

Matter of Chilliest: Rule 8.4(h) Applies Even When Misconduct Also Violates Other Rule 8.4 Provisions Introduction Matter of Chilliest (2026 NY Slip Op 03760 [1st Dept 2026]) is an...

NSCB Cannot Award Private Contract Damages Even After a Contractor Defaults; Voluntary “Surrender Request” Does Not Bar Regulatory Fines

Date: Jun 17, 2026

NSCB Cannot Award Private Contract Damages Even After a Contractor Defaults; Voluntary “Surrender Request” Does Not Bar Regulatory Fines 1. Introduction Assured Dev., Inc. v. Nev. State Contractors...

FAPA Section 2 Retroactively Eliminates RPAPL 1301(3) as a CPLR 204(a) Toll in Foreclosure-Related Limitations Disputes

Date: Jun 17, 2026

FAPA Section 2 Retroactively Eliminates RPAPL 1301(3) as a CPLR 204(a) Toll in Foreclosure-Related Limitations Disputes Case: Rouge v U.S. Bank Trust N.A. (2026 NY Slip Op 03769) (App Div, 1st Dept,...

McCoy v. State: Deference to Trial-Court Credibility (Including Implicit Findings) in OCGA § 16-3-24.2 Immunity Rulings

Date: Jun 16, 2026

McCoy v. State: Deference to Trial-Court Credibility (Including Implicit Findings) in OCGA § 16-3-24.2 Immunity Rulings 1. Introduction In McCoy v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia, June 16, 2026),...

Piercefield v. State — No Automatic For-Cause Removal of Magistrate Court Employees Absent Proof of Fixed Bias

Date: Jun 16, 2026

No Automatic For-Cause Removal of Magistrate Court Employees Absent Proof of Fixed Bias (Piercefield v. State) 1. Introduction In Piercefield v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia, June 16, 2026),...

Floyd v. State (Ga. 2026): Reversal for Ineffective Assistance Permits Reindictment and Retrial; Mixed Verdicts Defeat Collateral-Estoppel Self-Defense Bar

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Floyd v. State (Ga. 2026): Reversal for Ineffective Assistance Permits Reindictment and Retrial; Mixed Verdicts Defeat Collateral-Estoppel Self-Defense Bar Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date:...

Denson v. State (Ga. 2026): Edge Rule Not Extended to Involuntary Manslaughter or Firearm-Possession Felony Murder; No Strickland Deficiency for Forgoing Meritless Closing-Argument Objections

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Edge Rule Not Extended to Involuntary Manslaughter or Firearm-Possession Felony Murder; No Strickland Deficiency for Forgoing Meritless Closing-Argument Objections 1. Introduction In Denson v. State,...

Glenn v. State — Multi-Layered Informant Hearsay Remains Inadmissible; Circumstantial Digital-Location and Flight Evidence Suffices Under Jackson and OCGA § 24-14-6

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Glenn v. State — Multi-Layered Informant Hearsay Remains Inadmissible; Circumstantial Digital-Location and Flight Evidence Suffices Under Jackson and OCGA § 24-14-6 1. Introduction In Glenn v. State...

Battle v. State: Preservation of Mistrial Denials Requires Renewal After Curative Instruction; No Ineffective Assistance for Failing to Seek Non-Available Claim-of-Right/Justification Charges

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Battle v. State: Preservation of Mistrial Denials Requires Renewal After Curative Instruction; No Ineffective Assistance for Failing to Seek Non-Available Claim-of-Right/Justification Charges 1....

Booze v. State — Constructive-Force Rape Requires No “Intent to Use Force”; Drake Dictum Disapproved

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Booze v. State — Constructive-Force Rape Requires No “Intent to Use Force”; Drake v. State Dictum Disapproved 1. Introduction In Booze v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia, June 16, 2026), Jerome...

Calhoun v. State — Meaningful Appellate Argument Required; Prior “Closet-Shooting” Burglary Admissible Under Rule 404(b) to Prove Intent and Absence of Accident

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Meaningful Appellate Argument Required; Prior “Closet-Shooting” Burglary Admissible Under Rule 404(b) to Prove Intent and Absence of Accident Commentary on Calhoun v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia,...

Banks v. State — Harmless-Error Framework for Confrontation Clause Claims When Demonstrative Evidence Temporarily Obstructs the Defendant’s View

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Harmless-Error Framework for Confrontation Clause Claims When Demonstrative Evidence Temporarily Obstructs the Defendant’s View Introduction In Banks v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia, June 16,...

Later-Death Exception to Double Jeopardy: Murder Prosecution Allowed After Prior Assault Conviction

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Later-Death Exception to Double Jeopardy: Murder Prosecution Allowed After Prior Assault Conviction 1. Introduction In Buchalla v. State (Supreme Court of Georgia, June 16, 2026), the Court addressed...

“Effect on the Listener” Is Not a Backdoor to Prove Guilt: Relevancy, Limiting Instructions, and Preservation via Motion in Limine

Date: Jun 16, 2026

“Effect on the Listener” Is Not a Backdoor to Prove Guilt: Relevancy, Limiting Instructions, and Preservation via Motion in Limine 1. Introduction In State of West Virginia v. Randy C. Cain (No....

Tenth Circuit: Unpreserved Colorado River Challenges Are Waived Absent a Developed Plain-Error Argument; AI-Hallucinated Citations Risk Sanctions

Date: Jun 16, 2026

Tenth Circuit: Unpreserved Colorado River Challenges Are Waived Absent a Developed Plain-Error Argument; AI-Hallucinated Citations Risk Sanctions Case: Jackson v. Santander Consumer USA Inc., No....

IPRA “As Otherwise Provided by Law”: Only Formally Promulgated Regulations Implementing Clear Legislative Confidentiality Intent Can Bar Disclosure

Date: Jun 16, 2026

IPRA “As Otherwise Provided by Law”: Only Formally Promulgated Regulations Implementing Clear Legislative Confidentiality Intent Can Bar Disclosure I. Introduction In Am. Civ. Liberties Union of N.M....