State Court News
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$1.7B Georgia verdict reversed; Ford can now present proper defense
ATLANTA (Legal Newslne) - Trial judges went too far when they stripped Ford Motor Co. of nearly all its defenses in a truck-rollover lawsuit that ended with a $1.7 billion jury verdict, a Georgia appeals court ruled.
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Chief Justice receives Spirit of Justice Award from Hawaii foundation
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald was honored with the Spirit of Justice Award by the Hawaii Justice Foundation (HJF) during its annual meeting on October 29.
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Hawai'i celebrates volunteer attorneys at 2024 pro bono event
Attorneys and law firms were recognized for their pro bono contributions at the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 Pro Bono Celebration on October 30.
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Louisiana Supreme Court shuts down claim of injured worker using fake name
The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled an injured worker can’t pursue his civil lawsuit filed under a fake name.
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Hilo courthouse warns public about phone number spoofing scam
The public in Hawaiʻi is being alerted to a scam involving the spoofing of phone numbers from the Hilo Courthouse, also known as Hale Kaulike.
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Justice McKenna contributes as volunteer justice pro tem in CNMI
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S. McKenna recently visited Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam.
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Louisiana high court overturns state law allowing lawyers in Legislature to delay their legal cases
The Louisiana Supreme Court has overturned a law allowing state legislators who are also attorneys to delay court proceedings when those schedules conflict with their legislative duties.
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Elderly woman says Greyhound left her stranded in 'middle of nowhere'
CHARLESTON – An 89-year-old Kanawha County woman says a Greyhound bus driver left her stranded “in the middle of nowhere” in Oklahoma.
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Hilo hosts first law & justice academy engaging high school students
HILO, Hawaiʻi – Over the recent fall break, 20 high school students from various schools on Hawaiʻi Island participated in the first Hilo Law & Justice Academy. The three-day program was held at Hale Kaulike (Hilo courthouse) and ended with a mock trial exercise.
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Chief Judge DeWeese receives award from Going Home Hawaiʻi
Third Circuit Chief Judge Wendy M. DeWeese has been recognized with the Ka Lehua Kea Hiwahiawa Award by Going Home Hawaiʻi for her significant contributions to the community on Hawaiʻi island. The organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, focuses on helping individuals reintegrate into society through employment, education, housing, and other services.
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Bench warrant recall clinic aids over 100 in Waiʻanae
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary judges and staff gathered at the Waiʻanae Public Library to assist individuals with bench warrant and penal summons recalls related to traffic and petty misdemeanor cases. The event, held on a Saturday afternoon, saw the processing of 46 ex-parte motions prepared by the Office of the Public Defender. These motions were assigned new hearing dates for those seeking assistance.
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First Circuit hosts conference for newly appointed Oʻahu probation officers
Sixty-one new probation officers were sworn in by Chief Judge Jeannette Castagnetti at the First Circuit Probation Conference held in Honolulu. Chief Court Administrator Lori Okita and Deputy Chief Court Administrator Dwight Sakai presented the officers with lei and certificates of appointment.
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New judges sworn in at first circuit court ceremony
Rebecca A. Copeland, Brian A. Costa, Dyan M. Medeiros, and Steven R. Nichols have officially taken their positions as Circuit Court Judges for the First Circuit in Honolulu. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by colleagues, special guests, family, and friends.
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Energy Transfer has no plans to end case against Greenpeace over pipeline protests
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) – The lead partner in the Dakota Access Pipeline won't give up on a lawsuit against Greenpeace over violent protests, announcing recently that it will “stand in opposition to [Greenpeace]’s repeated attempts to avoid accountability for breaking the law.”
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Greenpeace attempts to use new European Union directive to sideline Energy Transfer lawsuit
A new legal tactic that Greenpeace International has deployed to sideline Energy Transfer’s lawsuit to recover damages stemming from the 2016-2017 Dakota Access Pipeline protests has yet to gain much traction in North Dakota.
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Greenpeace can’t escape trial over violent Dakota Access Pipeline protests
Greenpeace USA is scheduled to go to trial next February over claims it played a central role in violent protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline, which a federal judge once described as “mindless and senseless criminal mayhem.”
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Jury awards $495M in bellwether baby formula trial
A St. Louis jury awarded an Illinois mother nearly $500 million in a verdict against Abbott Laboratories after she claimed the company’s Similac was responsible for her daughter’s severe injuries.
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Michelle N. Comeau sworn in as District Court Judge for First Circuit
Michelle N. Comeau was sworn in as Judge of the District Court of the First Circuit before colleagues, special guests, family, and friends, many of whom watched remotely. Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna presided over the July 3 ceremony, which was livestreamed on the Judiciary’s YouTube channel.
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Juror's criminal past, dishonesty won't stop $120 million verdict against Chevron
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Chevron must pay a $120 million verdict in California, an appeals court has ruled, despite arguments one of the jurors who handed it down was ineligible to serve on a jury.
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Hawaii County Bar Association recognizes scholarship winner
The Hawaii County Bar Association (HCBA) convened in Hilo on June 7 to honor the recipient of its annual essay contest and scholarship program.