trial-court&amp Case Commentaries

“Toward Another” Under Iowa’s Assault Statute Does Not Require Pointing a Weapon: State v. Meisheid

Date: Oct 28, 2025

“Toward Another” Under Iowa’s Assault Statute Does Not Require Pointing a Weapon: State v. Meisheid Introduction In State of Iowa v. Matthew James Meisheid, the Iowa Supreme Court addressed whether a...

No Final Opinion Yet: The Disciplinary Case Against Mark E. Anderson Signals Strict Enforcement of MRPC 3.1, 3.5, and 8.4 for Abusive Litigation Conduct

Date: Oct 28, 2025

No Final Opinion Yet: The Disciplinary Case Against Mark E. Anderson Signals Strict Enforcement of MRPC 3.1, 3.5, and 8.4 for Abusive Litigation Conduct Introduction This commentary examines the...

Public Censure for a Single, Self‑Reported False Affidavit: Rhode Island Supreme Court Clarifies Sanction Factors under Rules 3.3 and 8.4

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Public Censure for a Single, Self‑Reported False Affidavit: Rhode Island Supreme Court Clarifies Sanction Factors under Rules 3.3 and 8.4 Introduction In In the Matter of Santiago H. Posas, No....

Ceccarelli v. Morgan Stanley: Second Circuit reiterates the Rooker-Feldman/Res Judicata divide in post-foreclosure TILA suits and requires without-prejudice jurisdictional dismissals

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Ceccarelli v. Morgan Stanley: Second Circuit reiterates the Rooker-Feldman/Res Judicata divide in post-foreclosure TILA suits and requires without-prejudice jurisdictional dismissals Introduction In...

Non‑Reserved Acceptance Triggers Inter‑Insurer Estoppel: Second Circuit Affirms Standing, Reliance, and Prejudice in Penn‑Star v. Dongbu

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Non‑Reserved Acceptance Triggers Inter‑Insurer Estoppel: Second Circuit Affirms Standing, Reliance, and Prejudice in Penn‑Star v. Dongbu Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit...

Residential Storage Triggers the §2D1.1(b)(12) “Stash House” Enhancement; DWAI Always Counts in Criminal History Under Amended §4A1.2 cmt. n.5; Appeal Waiver Bars Fine Challenge — United States v. Luizzi (2d Cir. 2025 Summary Order)

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Residential Storage Triggers the §2D1.1(b)(12) “Stash House” Enhancement; DWAI Always Counts in Criminal History Under Amended §4A1.2 cmt. n.5; Appeal Waiver Bars Fine Challenge — United States v....

Second Circuit Reaffirms PLRA 150% Fee Cap and Declines “Mini En Banc” Reconsideration in Webb v. Trombley

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Second Circuit Reaffirms PLRA 150% Fee Cap and Declines “Mini En Banc” Reconsideration in Webb v. Trombley Introduction In Webb v. Trombley, No. 24-2582-pr (2d Cir. Oct. 24, 2025) (Summary Order),...

Second Circuit Confirms Constitutional Limit on Mandatory § 1226(c) Detention: Bond Hearing Required Once Detention Becomes Unreasonably Prolonged, With Government’s Clear-and-Convincing Burden

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Second Circuit Confirms Constitutional Limit on Mandatory § 1226(c) Detention: Bond Hearing Required Once Detention Becomes Unreasonably Prolonged, With Government’s Clear-and-Convincing Burden...

Qualifying-Child Status for Non–LPR Cancellation Is Measured at Adjudication, Not Filing: Yupangui‑Yunga v. Bondi (2d Cir. 2025)

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Qualifying-Child Status for Non–LPR Cancellation Is Measured at Adjudication, Not Filing Commentary on Yupangui‑Yunga v. Bondi, No. 23‑6522 (2d Cir. Oct. 24, 2025) Introduction In this precedential...

No Blanket Immunity for Post‑Settlement Keyword Bidding: Eleventh Circuit Limits Release and Res Judicata to Pre‑Execution Conduct and Enforces FTC‑Approval Contingency

Date: Oct 28, 2025

No Blanket Immunity for Post‑Settlement Keyword Bidding: Eleventh Circuit Limits Release and Res Judicata to Pre‑Execution Conduct and Enforces FTC‑Approval Contingency Case: Edible IP, LLC v....

ECF Non-Receipt, Health Issues, and Computer Viruses Are Not Excusable Neglect Without Specific, Supported Facts: Eleventh Circuit Reaffirms Counsel’s Duty to Monitor the Docket and Limits Post-Judgment Amendments

Date: Oct 28, 2025

ECF Non-Receipt, Health Issues, and Computer Viruses Are Not Excusable Neglect Without Specific, Supported Facts: Eleventh Circuit Reaffirms Counsel’s Duty to Monitor the Docket and Limits...

Shotgun Pleadings, Pro Se Latitude, and Rule 58 Waiver: The Eleventh Circuit’s Reaffirmation in Moore v. Southern Company

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Shotgun Pleadings, Pro Se Latitude, and Rule 58 Waiver: The Eleventh Circuit’s Reaffirmation in Moore v. Southern Company Introduction In an unpublished, per curiam decision, the Eleventh Circuit...

Reaffirming Broad Discretion to Weigh Prior Sentences in Upward Variances: United States v. Carmel Linot (11th Cir. 2025)

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Reaffirming Broad Discretion to Weigh Prior Sentences in Upward Variances Under § 3553(a): United States v. Carmel Linot Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Date: October 24, 2025...

Guidelines as Starting Point; Public Protection as Dominant Factor: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Substantial Upward Variance for §1470 Despite Mandatory §2260A Term

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Guidelines as Starting Point; Public Protection as Dominant Factor: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Substantial Upward Variance for §1470 Despite Mandatory §2260A Term Introduction In United States v. Imran...

Third Circuit Declines En Banc Review, Leaving Intact Anderson–Burdick Invalidation of Pennsylvania’s Mail‑In Ballot Date Requirement Despite New State Notice‑and‑Cure Mandate

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Third Circuit Declines En Banc Review, Leaving Intact Anderson–Burdick Invalidation of Pennsylvania’s Mail‑In Ballot Date Requirement Despite New State Notice‑and‑Cure Mandate Case: Bette Eakin v....

Parker v. NJMVC: Essential Eligibility Controls Title II and §504; No Pre‑Deprivation Hearing Required for Safety‑Driven CDL Passenger/School‑Bus Endorsement Revocations

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Parker v. NJMVC: Essential Eligibility Controls Title II and §504; No Pre‑Deprivation Hearing Required for Safety‑Driven CDL Passenger/School‑Bus Endorsement Revocations Introduction In a...

Post-Answer Rule 12(b)(6) Motions Permissible as Rule 12(c); Preliminary-Injunction Denials Do Not Make Amendment Futile — Oxford House, Inc. v. Township of North Bergen (3d Cir. 2025)

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Post-Answer Rule 12(b)(6) Motions Permissible as Rule 12(c); Preliminary-Injunction Denials Do Not Make Amendment Futile — Oxford House, Inc. v. Township of North Bergen (3d Cir. 2025) Introduction...

United States v. Hernandez-Adame: Fifth Circuit Confirms that “Entry” Under § 1326 Requires Freedom from Official Restraint, but Treats It as a Definitional Concept Within Trial Courts’ Instructional Discretion

Date: Oct 28, 2025

United States v. Hernandez-Adame: Fifth Circuit Confirms that “Entry” Under § 1326 Requires Freedom from Official Restraint, but Treats It as a Definitional Concept Within Trial Courts’ Instructional...

No Federal Power to Compel Arbitration of Ongoing State Probate Asset Proceedings: The Sixth Circuit’s “Look‑Through plus In‑Rem” Bar under FAA § 4

Date: Oct 28, 2025

No Federal Power to Compel Arbitration of Ongoing State Probate Asset Proceedings: The Sixth Circuit’s “Look‑Through plus In‑Rem” Bar under FAA § 4 Introduction In Amos C. Johnson, M.D., and Johnson...

Tenth Circuit Clarifies: Post‑Judgment Discovery That Attacks the Merits Is a Successive § 2254 Petition Requiring § 2244(b) Authorization and a COA

Date: Oct 28, 2025

Tenth Circuit Clarifies: Post‑Judgment Discovery That Attacks the Merits Is a Successive § 2254 Petition Requiring § 2244(b) Authorization and a COA Introduction In Johnson v. Patton, No. 25-6084...