protected-advice-at-life’s-end:-seventh-circuit-holds-indiana’s-funeral-licensing-ban-on-death-doula-counseling-fails-even-under-intermediate-scrutiny—and-consent-orders-don’t-waive-federal-rights Case Commentaries

Post-Snyder § 666 Bribery in the Seventh Circuit: Quid Pro Quo Required, No “Magic Words,” and “Corruptly” Means Intent to Trade Value for Influence

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Post-Snyder § 666 Bribery in the Seventh Circuit: Quid Pro Quo Required, No “Magic Words,” and “Corruptly” Means Intent to Trade Value for Influence 1. Introduction United States v. Charles Cui (7th...

Irreparable Harm Requires a Legally Available Referendum: Kemp Bars Injunctive Relief Against Atlanta’s Petition-Circulator Residency Rule

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Irreparable Harm Requires a Legally Available Referendum: Kemp v. City of Claxton Bars Injunctive Relief Against Atlanta’s Petition-Circulator Residency Rule I. Introduction In Lisa Baker v. City of...

Reindictment After Nolle Prosequi (Before Jeopardy Attaches) Does Not Offend Double Jeopardy or “Judicial Manipulation” Absent Improper State Purpose

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Reindictment After Nolle Prosequi (Before Jeopardy Attaches) Does Not Offend Double Jeopardy or “Judicial Manipulation” Absent Improper State Purpose Case: Fayton v. State Court: Supreme Court of...

Chen v. Bondi: Reaffirming that Multiple Interview–Hearing Inconsistencies and Missing Readily Available Corroboration Sustain an Adverse Credibility Finding

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Chen v. Bondi: Reaffirming that Multiple Interview–Hearing Inconsistencies and Missing Readily Available Corroboration Sustain an Adverse Credibility Finding Introduction In Chen v. Bondi (2d Cir....

Deferential Substantive-Reasonableness Review: Upholding a Below-Guidelines (Statutory-Max) Sentence for Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy Despite Claimed Provocation and Plea Mitigation

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Deferential Substantive-Reasonableness Review: Upholding a Below-Guidelines (Statutory-Max) Sentence for Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy Despite Claimed Provocation and Plea Mitigation Note on status:...

Invited-Error Bar to “Rehabilitation-Based Imprisonment” Challenges in Federal Sentencing

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Invited-Error Bar to “Rehabilitation-Based Imprisonment” Challenges in Federal Sentencing Case: United States v. Brian Joseph McKay (11th Cir. Jan. 9, 2026) (unpublished, “Not for Publication”)...

Generic National Sentencing Statistics Do Not Prove “Unwarranted Disparity” Without Apples-to-Apples Comparability

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Generic National Sentencing Statistics Do Not Prove “Unwarranted Disparity” Without Apples-to-Apples Comparability Introduction In United States v. Oscar Pena-Sanregre (11th Cir. Jan. 9, 2026) (per...

Self-Representation Requires a Knowing Waiver and Courtroom Decorum: Disruptive “Sovereign Citizen” Conduct Permits Counsel Appointment and Trial in the Defendant’s Absence

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Self-Representation Requires a Knowing Waiver and Courtroom Decorum: Disruptive “Sovereign Citizen” Conduct Permits Counsel Appointment and Trial in the Defendant’s Absence Introduction United States...

Conspiracy Acquittal Does Not Undermine Anti‑Kickback Substantive Convictions; Supervisory Role Bars §4C1.1 Zero‑Point Offender Relief

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Conspiracy Acquittal Does Not Undermine Anti‑Kickback Substantive Convictions; Supervisory Role Bars §4C1.1 Zero‑Point Offender Relief Case: United States v. David Byron Copeland (11th Cir. Jan. 9,...

Subjective Recklessness as the Decisive Gatekeeper: Deliberate-Indifference, Prison Diet Claims, and Conclusory “Policy” Pleading in § 1983/RLUIPA Litigation

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Subjective Recklessness as the Decisive Gatekeeper: Deliberate-Indifference, Prison Diet Claims, and Conclusory “Policy” Pleading in § 1983/RLUIPA Litigation Introduction In Nyka O'Connor v. Barry...

Upward Variances May Rest on Guideline-Accounted Facts, and Disparity Claims Require “Apples-to-Apples” Comparators — United States v. Anna Michelle La Rue

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Upward Variances May Rest on Guideline-Accounted Facts, and Disparity Claims Require “Apples-to-Apples” Comparators — United States v. Anna Michelle La Rue (11th Cir. 2026) 1. Introduction In United...

Procedural Defects and Corporate-Form Arguments Do Not Defeat Younger Abstention in Quasi-Criminal State Usury Enforcement

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Procedural Defects and Corporate-Form Arguments Do Not Defeat Younger Abstention in Quasi-Criminal State Usury Enforcement I. Introduction In CCFI Companies, LLC v. Secretary Pennsylvania Department...

Pre-Sale Payments to the Foreclosing HOA Alone Satisfy Superpriority and Convert a Multi-HOA Foreclosure to Subpriority (Deed of Trust Survives)

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Pre-Sale Payments to the Foreclosing HOA Alone Satisfy Superpriority and Convert a Multi-HOA Foreclosure to Subpriority (Deed of Trust Survives) 1. Introduction DEUTSCHE BANK NAT'L TR. CO. v....

Younger Abstention Applies to Pennsylvania’s Quasi‑Criminal Usury Enforcement Despite Alleged Service/Naming Defects, and “Prospective” Federal Relief That Could Have Preclusive Effect Still Interferes

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Younger Abstention Applies to Pennsylvania’s Quasi‑Criminal Usury Enforcement Despite Alleged Service/Naming Defects, and “Prospective” Federal Relief That Could Have Preclusive Effect Still...

Revised Records of Work Activities Must Be Submitted Before Leaving Office Under 2 NYCRR 315.4(a)(2)

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Revised Records of Work Activities Must Be Submitted Before Leaving Office Under 2 NYCRR 315.4(a)(2) Case: Matter of Reynolds v. DiNapoli, 2026 NY Slip Op 00044 (App Div 3d Dept Jan. 8, 2026) 1....

Failure to Object to a Magistrate Judge’s Report Waives Appellate Review; Qualified Immunity Applies Absent On‑Point Fourth Amendment Stalking-Probable-Cause Precedent

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Failure to Object to a Magistrate Judge’s Report Waives Appellate Review; Qualified Immunity Applies Absent On‑Point Fourth Amendment Stalking-Probable-Cause Precedent I. Introduction Case: Deborah...

Upward Variances May Rest on Premeditation Inferences and Victim Psychological Harm (Without § 5K2.3 Departure Procedures)

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Upward Variances May Rest on Premeditation Inferences and Victim Psychological Harm (Without § 5K2.3 Departure Procedures) Introduction In United States v. Kendrick Holland (6th Cir. Jan. 8, 2026),...

United States v. Baskerville/Springfield/Smith (6th Cir. Jan. 8, 2026) — Commentary

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Waiver and Plain-Error Limits on Remmer Jury-Intimidation Claims, Reaffirmation of the Sixth Circuit’s Actual-Bias Rule, and Alleyne Correction for § 924(c) “Discharge” Enhancements Introduction...

Waiver and Plain-Error Limits on Remmer Jury-Intimidation Claims; No Presumption of Prejudice in the Sixth Circuit

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Waiver and Plain-Error Limits on Remmer Jury-Intimidation Claims; No Presumption of Prejudice in the Sixth Circuit I. Introduction United States v. Tomarcus Baskerville (with codefendants Courtland...

Erlinger Does Not Displace Almendarez-Torres: Judges May Apply § 2252A(b)(2)’s 10-Year Mandatory Minimum Based on the Fact of a Chapter 110 Prior

Date: Jan 10, 2026

Erlinger Does Not Displace Almendarez-Torres: Judges May Apply § 2252A(b)(2)’s 10-Year Mandatory Minimum Based on the Fact of a Chapter 110 Prior Case: United States v. Jason Florence (6th Cir.)...

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