Incarceration-Based Neglect and No Preclusion from Prior Adoption Litigation in West Virginia Abuse-and-Neglect Proceedings 1. Introduction In re J.C. (W. Va. Sup. Ct. App. Aug. 25, 2026) is a...
Termination Without Improvement Period Where Intellectual-Incapacity Deficits Are Uncorrectable; DHS Not Required to Provide Live-In Assistance 1. Introduction Case: In re J.D., No. 25-457 (W. Va....
Second Post-Adjudicatory Improvement Periods Require Proof of a Substantial Change in Circumstances Under W. Va. Code § 49-4-610(2)(D) Case: In re J.S.-1, No. 25-494 (W. Va. Aug. 25, 2026)...
In re L.T.: Adjudication Turns on Findings that the Child Is Abused/Neglected; Dispositional Orders Need Not Track Statutory Wording if Required Conclusions Are Reached Introduction In In re L.T....
In re N.M.: Case-Plan Delay Is Not Reversible Without Prejudice Where Abuse/Neglect Is Untreatable, and Unobjected Hearsay Is Waived on Appeal 1. Introduction In In re N.M. (W. Va. Aug. 25, 2026)...
Lipscomb v. Hagedorn: Enforcing Contractual Attorney-Fee Clauses in Incorporated Separation Agreements 1. Introduction In Jimmy Lipscomb v. Pamela Hagedorn (W. Va. Aug. 25, 2026), the Supreme Court...
Civil Contempt for Property Return Requires Proof of Present Noncompliance with the Final Decree—No Contempt for Items Not Found in the Party’s Possession 1. Introduction In Marilyn Fay Minor v....
Absent Bad Faith, a Circuit Court Must Grant the State’s Rule 48(a) Motion to Dismiss When the Defendant Consents 1. Introduction In State of West Virginia ex rel. Dalton Ours v. The State of West...
Mandamus to Require Statutory Findings Before Granting Post-Adjudicatory Improvement Periods Introduction In State of West Virginia ex rel. H.C., P.C., M.C., Z.C. and West Virginia Department of...
State v. Sellers: “Well-Established” Forensic Science Still Requires a Porter Gatekeeping Check When New Standards Cast Doubt 1. Introduction In State v. Sellers (Conn. Aug. 25, 2026), the Supreme...
Recording a Judgment (Without Debtor’s Voluntary Compliance) Does Not Moot an Appeal; Failure to Obtain a Stay Is Not Voluntary Satisfaction Introduction In Drushal v. Miller, Slip Opinion No....
Context-Based Interpretation of “Current” Public-Records Requests and Limited Writs Requiring Production or Certification of Nonexistence (Ohio Mandamus) Case: State ex rel. Clark v. Dept. of Rehab....
Production of Nonprofit Records in Discovery Moots Inspection Claims; Courts Decline to Intervene in Uncontested, Superseded Officer Elections Absent Injury 1. Introduction E. Kragh v. MADC is a 2026...
Marriage of French: Rule 60(b) Relief Cannot Substitute for an Untimely Appeal; Voidness Requires a Fundamental Due Process Defect Shown on an Adequate Record 1. Introduction Case: In re the Marriage...
State v. M. Mitchell (2026 MT 201): Custody During Revocation Is Credited to the Active DOC Term Being Served; the State Is Judicially Estopped From Reclaiming Detention-Credit Error It Invited 1....
Plain-Error Resentencing Required When a Court Applies a Post-Offense Sentencing Amendment as “Mandatory” Case: State v. M. Partridge, 2026 MT 204N (Mont. Aug. 25, 2026) (memorandum opinion;...
No Delegation of Financial Sentencing Obligations to Parole; Mislabeling “Crime of Violence” Requires Striking, Not Resentencing Absent Reliance Case: State v. T.W. Hatfield, 2026 MT 202 (Mont. Aug....
Will-Serve Letters Imply Performance Within a “Reasonable Time” and Do Not Create Perpetual Municipal Capacity Obligations Introduction West Dev. v. Town of W. Yellowstone (2026 MT 203) arose from a...
FBI Investigative Conclusions as Admissible Public Records—and the Trial-Contaminating Effect of Erroneous Partial Summary Judgment on Consent-Based Claims Case: Jane Doe v. Carnival Corporation...
Pettway Reaffirmed: Title VII Participation Clause Bars Termination for Any EEOC-Charge Statements, Even If False Case: Jeremy Ellis v. Sheriff, Hillsborough County Florida Court: U.S. Court of...