Criminal Practice

  • September 15, 2025

    Hemp Cos. Say Okla. Police Wrongly Seized $125K Shipment

    Hemp companies on the East and West coasts have filed a $4 million federal lawsuit against Oklahoma officials who allegedly confiscated and ruined a large shipment of legal hemp, saying local law enforcement has refused to acknowledge that it was not marijuana.

  • September 15, 2025

    LA Developer Agrees To Tear Down Homes In Laurel Canyon

    The Los Angeles city attorney on Monday announced a plea agreement with one of two developers accused of violating building and safety guidelines by restarting construction on a contentious five-home development in Laurel Canyon.

  • September 15, 2025

    In Reversal, 3rd Circ. Lets Honda Challenge NJ Town Tow Law

    A Third Circuit panel reversed a district court's decision Monday, finding that Honda can argue it was denied due process after a New Jersey borough seized its vehicle from an uninsured lessee for driving uninsured, with a suspended license and registration.

  • September 15, 2025

    Bank CEO's Wife Says She Never Joined $7M Fraud

    The wife of a former Puerto Rican bank CEO asked a Florida federal judge Friday to dismiss the bank receiver's $7 million conspiracy claim against her, arguing that simply signing a loan note is not proof that she knowingly joined any scheme to defraud the bank.

  • September 15, 2025

    Tainted Evidence Sank Atty's Tax Court Case, 6th Circ. Told

    The U.S. Tax Court relied on tainted evidence from the IRS when it affirmed the agency's denial of an Ohio attorney's attempt to deduct a theft loss and related legal expenses, he told the Sixth Circuit, urging it to reverse the lower court's ruling.

  • September 15, 2025

    Feds Push For 10th Circ. Rehearing In Native Activist Case

    Prosecutors have asked the entire Tenth Circuit to reconsider whether a Native American activist could be convicted in federal court on a charge of simple assault in a case originally involving more serious charges, after a panel overturned the conviction by holding district courts lack jurisdiction over these lesser charges.

  • September 15, 2025

    Feds Urge 3rd Circ. To Restore NJ US Atty's Authority

    The federal government has urged the Third Circuit to reverse a district court ruling disqualifying acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba from prosecuting two criminal cases in New Jersey after the clock allegedly ran out on her interim term, arguing that her appointment is valid and that the court erred in its interpretation of the statute.

  • September 15, 2025

    NJ AG Names New Leader Of Public Integrity Office

    New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced Monday that he has appointed a longtime prosecutor with a track record of handling high-profile corruption cases to lead the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

  • September 15, 2025

    Ex-Epstein Prosecutor Maurene Comey Sues DOJ Over Firing

    Maurene Comey, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor who brought high-profile criminal cases against the likes of Jeffrey Epstein and Sean "Diddy" Combs, sued the Justice Department on Monday alleging her abrupt July firing came "solely or substantially" because she is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, a Trump critic.

  • September 15, 2025

    Former Fed. Prosecutor Returns To Hueston Hennigan In LA

    Hueston Hennigan is expanding its trial team, welcoming a former federal prosecutor, who worked as an associate at the firm early in his career, back as of counsel in its Los Angeles office.

  • September 12, 2025

    4th Circ. Rules NC Felons' Voting Ban Is Unconstitutional

    The Fourth Circuit affirmed Friday that a 19th-century North Carolina law making it a crime for convicted felons to vote — even if they believed they were eligible — unconstitutionally targets Black voters and was not mooted by a 2024 amendment to the law.

  • September 12, 2025

    Mich. AG's Loss Spells Trouble For Other Fake Elector Cases

    The dismissal of charges against Michigan Republicans who participated in the so-called fake elector plot after the 2020 presidential election shows that establishing intent could be a hurdle for prosecutors as they pursue similar cases in other states, legal experts said.

  • September 12, 2025

    Ga. Jail Medical Provider Ignored Sheriff's Abuse, Suit Says

    A man who successfully brought an excessive force claim against former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill for strapping him in a chair for so long his wrists became scarred has now filed a Georgia federal suit against a jail medical provider, its director and two people he called "Hill's designated enforcers."

  • September 12, 2025

    Wash. Panel Skeptical Of AG Doc Bid In Church Abuse Case

    A Washington appellate panel expressed doubt on Friday that the state attorney general could issue a sweeping subpoena to the Catholic Church in search of charitable trust funds potentially spent concealing child abuse, with one judge quipping the church's books will not have a "line item" for such expenditures.

  • September 12, 2025

    When The Supreme Court Says Using Race Is OK

    The U.S. Supreme Court is allowing government agencies to expressly use race in furthering their immigration enforcement goals, while prohibiting the use of race as even one of the factors to consider in college admissions. Some legal scholars see a double standard.

  • September 12, 2025

    Cops Not Immune In Suit Over Fabricated Proof, 3rd Circ. Says

    The Third Circuit held in a precedential ruling Friday that police officers are not shielded by qualified immunity in malicious prosecution lawsuits involving allegations of fabricated evidence and forced confessions.

  • September 12, 2025

    2nd Circ. OKs Verdict In DEA Bribe Case But Nixes Forfeiture

    The Second Circuit on Friday affirmed the convictions of a pair of ex-Drug Enforcement Administration agents over a bribery scheme but overturned an order requiring both to forfeit funds, saying it would constitute a double payment for the same crime.

  • September 12, 2025

    Appeals Courts Rethink Harsh Youth Sentences, Search Rules

    State appellate courts across the country have issued major criminal law opinions this year, softening some of the harshest sentences for young defendants while shifting rules for searches and evidence collection.

  • September 12, 2025

    1st Circ. Says Cops Partially Immune In Kneeling Case

    Two Massachusetts police officers have qualified immunity for some conduct that allegedly led to a man's death following a wellness check, the First Circuit has ruled.

  • September 12, 2025

    NJ AG Asks Judge To Toss Suit Over Rapid DNA Memo

    The New Jersey Attorney General's Office is asking a state judge to dismiss the state Office of the Public Defender's lawsuit seeking the release of an internal legal memorandum about the use of rapid DNA technology, saying the complaint is time-barred and its release would breach attorney-client privilege.

  • September 11, 2025

    Girardi's Atty, Judge Debate If His Conviction Is 'Debatable'

    A California federal judge pushed back Thursday on arguments by Tom Girardi's lawyer that he should be free on bond while he appeals his wire fraud conviction, saying that debating the case doesn't automatically mean it raises "fairly debatable" questions sufficient to meet the Ninth Circuit's standard for remaining free on appeal.

  • September 11, 2025

    Federal Judges Faced Over 500 Threats Amid Rising Tensions

    More than 500 threats have been made to federal judges over the last year to over 300 distinct judges, according to data released by the U.S. Marshals Service.

  • September 11, 2025

    'I Had My Wits': Agent Recalls Spotting Would-Be Trump Killer

    A former U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect Donald Trump testified Thursday in Florida federal court about his reaction to spotting Ryan Routh, who is on trial for attempting to assassinate the then-presidential candidate last year during a round of golf.

  • September 11, 2025

    Atty Accused Of Cyberstalking Law Firm Partner, Another Atty

    A Texas attorney has been arrested for allegedly cyberstalking and threatening to kill two other attorneys, one of whom is believed to be a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP.

  • September 11, 2025

    2nd Circ. Says Kik Scans Don't Violate Fourth Amendment

    Messaging applications like Kik are allowed to search users' conversations as part of due diligence into suspected cases of child sexual abuse material without violating users' Fourth Amendment rights, the Second Circuit has found.

Expert Analysis

  • Strategies For ICE Agent Misconduct Suits In The 11th Circ.

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    Attorneys have numerous pathways to pursue misconduct claims against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Eleventh Circuit, and they need not wait for the court to correct its misinterpretation of a Federal Tort Claims Act exception, says Lauren Bonds at the National Police Accountability Project.

  • DOJ Consumer Branch's End Leaves FDA Litigation Questions

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    With the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch set to occur by Sept. 30, companies must carefully monitor how responsibility is reallocated for civil and criminal enforcement cases related to products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, say attorneys at Foley & Lardner.

  • Cos. Must Tailor Due Diligence As Trafficking Risks Increase

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    As legislators, prosecutors and plaintiffs attorneys increasingly focus on labor and sex trafficking throughout the U.S., companies must tailor their due diligence strategies to protect against forced labor trafficking risks in their supply chains, say attorneys at Steptoe.

  • Series

    Creating Botanical Art Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Pressing and framing plants that I grow has shown me that pursuing an endeavor that brings you joy can lead to surprising benefits for a legal career, including mental clarity, perspective and even a bit of humility, says Douglas Selph at Morris Manning.

  • Supreme Court's Criminal Law Decisions: The Term In Review

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    Though the U.S. Supreme Court’s criminal law decisions in its recently concluded term proved underwhelming by many measures, their opinions revealed trends in how the justices approach criminal cases and offered reminders for practitioners, says Kenneth Notter at MoloLamken.

  • Opinion

    The Legal Education Status Quo Is No Longer Tenable

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    As underscored by the fallout from California’s February bar exam, legal education and licensure are tethered to outdated systems, and the industry must implement several key reforms to remain relevant and responsive to 21st century legal needs, says Matthew Nehmer at The Colleges of Law.

  • 'Pig Butchering' Seizure Is A Milestone In Crypto Crime Fight

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    The U.S.' recent seizure of $225 million in crypto funds in a massive "pig butchering" scheme highlights the transformative impact of blockchain analysis in law enforcement, and the increasing necessity of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, cryptocurrency exchanges and stablecoin issuers, says David Zaslowsky at Baker McKenzie.

  • E-Discovery Quarterly: Rulings On Relevance Redactions

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    In recent cases addressing redactions that parties sought to apply based on the relevance of information — as opposed to considerations of privilege — courts have generally limited a party’s ability to withhold nonresponsive or irrelevant material, providing a few lessons for discovery strategy, say attorneys at Sidley.

  • How DOJ's New Data Security Rules Leave HIPAA In The Dust

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    The U.S. Department of Justice's recently effective data security requirements carry profound implications for how healthcare providers collect, store, share and use data — and approach vendor oversight — that go far beyond the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, say attorneys at Nelson Mullins.

  • Opinion

    Section 1983 Has Promise After End Of Nationwide Injunctions

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    After the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the practice of nationwide injunctions in Trump v. Casa, Section 1983 civil rights suits can provide a better pathway to hold the government accountable — but this will require reforms to qualified immunity, says Marc Levin at the Council on Criminal Justice.

  • Reel Justice: 'Oh, Hi!' Teaches Attys To Return To The Statute

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    The new dark comedy film “Oh, Hi!” — depicting a romantic vacation that turns into an inadvertent kidnapping — should remind criminal practitioners to always reread the statute to avoid assumptions, meet their ethical duties and finesse their trial strategy, says Veronica Finkelstein at Wilmington University School of Law.

  • DOJ-HHS Collab Crystallizes Focus On Health Enforcement

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    The recently announced partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat False Claims Act violations, following a multiyear trend of high-dollar DOJ recoveries, signals a long-term enforcement horizon with major implications for healthcare entities and whistleblowers, say attorneys at RJO.

  • How Courts Are Addressing The Use Of AI In Discovery

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    In recent months, several courts have issued opinions on handling discovery issues involving artificial intelligence, which collectively offer useful insights on integrating AI into discovery and protecting work product in connection with AI prompts and outputs, says Philip Favro at Favro Law.

  • Series

    Playing Baseball Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Playing baseball in college, and now Wiffle ball in a local league, has taught me that teamwork, mental endurance and emotional intelligence are not only important to success in the sport, but also to success as a trial attorney, says Kevan Dorsey at Swift Currie.

  • APA Relief May Blunt Justices' Universal Injunction Ruling

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    The Administrative Procedure Act’s avenue for universal preliminary relief seems to hold the most promise for neutralizing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. CASA to limit federal district courts' nationally applicable orders, say attorneys at Crowell.

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