Subdivision Conditions Must Be Evidence-Based and Explained; Extra-Code Wetlands Buffers for Pending Applications Are Unreasonable Case: Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission v. Smokey Hollow,...
Rule 404(b) Prior Drug-Conspiracy Convictions Admissible to Prove Knowledge and Intent; Any Error Harmless Where Mandatory Minimum Controls Introduction In United States v. Christopher Spider...
Rule 56(d) Relief Requires a Proper Motion and Specific Showing; Default Sanctions and Fee Awards Stand Where Party-Driven Delay Is Clear I. Introduction Sixela Investment Group v. Hope Federal...
PLRA Exhaustion for Newly Added Claims Is Measured When the Claim Is First Pleaded 1. Introduction In Benjamin Carter v. Beth Cabell (4th Cir. Aug. 4, 2026), incarcerated plaintiff Benjamin Forrest...
Third Circuit: Arbitrators May Clarify an Ambiguous Merits Award (Even After Issuance) When AAA Rules Delegate Functus Officio Boundaries 1. Introduction In Prospect Capital Management L.P. v....
Independent Counsel Under Illinois Law Requires an Actual Insurer–Insured Conflict; Co-Insured Adversity Alone Is Insufficient 1. Introduction Consolidated Chassis Management LLC v. Northland...
Montana DUI Mandatory-Minimum Fines After State v. Cole: Sentencing Courts Must Assess Ability to Pay and Suspend the Unpayable Portion 1. Introduction Case: State v. D. Barker, 2026 MT 181N (Mont....
Waiver of “Elapsed Time” (Street-Time) Credit Challenges by Acquiescence at Revocation; Non-Objection Renders Error “Objectionable,” Not “Illegal” Introduction State v. Day (Mont. Sup. Ct. Aug. 4,...
Rule 41(b) Dismissal-with-Prejudice Requires More Than a Short-Deadline Misstep by a Pro Se Conventional Filer Case: Michelle Maupin v. School Board of Miami-Dade County (11th Cir. Aug. 5, 2026) (per...
Death Pending Appeal Abates Prosecution Ab Initio and Requires Vacatur and Dismissal, While Co-Defendant Convictions Stand on Sufficient Evidence and 404(b) Knowledge/Intent Proof I. Introduction...
Fifth Circuit: Minor Inconsistencies, Demeanor, and Plausibility Sustain Adverse Credibility; No IJ Duty to Re-Raise Noticed Inconsistencies; CAT Requires Particularized, Independent Proof Beyond...
Garrett v. Davis: Eighth Amendment Sleep-Deprivation Claims Require Proof of Substantial Risk (Not Causation), No Numeric Sleep Threshold, and a Duration-Sensitive Totality Analysis Court: U.S. Court...
Fifth Circuit: No Rule 56(d) Relief Without a Proper Motion; Late-Stage Withdrawal and Default Sanctions Sustained for Client-Driven Delay I. Introduction Sixela Investment Group v. Hope Federal...
Rule 56(d) Relief Requires a Proper Motion and Diligent Discovery; Late-Stage Withdrawal and Default Sanctions Upheld for Client-Driven Delay Case: Sixela Investment Group v. Hope Federal Credit...
Adjacency-Based Professional Licensure Restrictions Likely Violate Article IV Privileges and Immunities I. Introduction In Polk v. Crawford (5th Cir. Aug. 4, 2026), Geoffrey Polk—an attorney licensed...
Fifth Circuit: Damages Experts Cannot Assume Maximum Commissions; Untimely Rebuttal Disclosures Are Excluded 1. Introduction Finite Utility Consulting, L.L.C. v. Tawa (5th Cir. Aug. 4, 2026) arises...
Fourth Circuit Rule: No Compelled CIA Operational-File Search Absent Completed Withholding and Sworn Evidence; Detailed CIA Affidavits Sustain FOIA (b)(1)/(b)(3) Redactions Case: Michael Driggs v....
Qualified Immunity and FMLA Authentication: No Clearly Established Right to a Pre-Contact Cure Opportunity Case: Daniel Mook v. G. Hall (4th Cir. Aug. 4, 2026) | Disposition: Vacated and remanded...
Rule 12(b)(6) Use of Body-Camera Video: “Blatant Contradiction” Can Defeat Plausible Inferences of Surrender in Deadly-Force Pleadings I. Introduction In Legacy Spencer v. Edward Glaser, III, the...
PLRA Exhaustion Timing in the Fourth Circuit: New Claims Added by Amended Complaint Are Measured When First Pleaded I. Introduction Case: Benjamin Carter v. Beth Cabell (Fourth Circuit, Aug. 4,...