Criminal Practice

  • 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.

  • September 10, 2025

    11th Circ. Tosses Gun Conviction Over Alabama Loophole

    The Eleventh Circuit on Wednesday threw out the conviction of an Alabama man charged with illegally having a gun after a prior felony, ruling that because the state offense to which he pled guilty did not require imprisonment, it did not trigger the federal firearm ban for felons.

  • September 10, 2025

    Denver Fights $14M Verdict Over Protester Abuse Claims

    A Tenth Circuit panel pressed both sides Wednesday over whether jurors should have heard testimony from an investigator that Denver says unfairly tainted a trial which yielded a nearly $14 million verdict to 12 protesters over clashes with police during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the city.

  • September 10, 2025

    Fla. Panel Says State's Open-Carry Ban Is Unconstitutional

    A Florida appeals court on Wednesday unanimously struck down a state law that restricted the open carry of firearms, saying the statute was incompatible with the Second Amendment because it was at odds with a "historical tradition of firearms regulation" in the U.S.

  • September 10, 2025

    Ohio Appeals Court Orders Retrial For Invalid Jury Trial Waiver

    A state appeals court in Ohio has ruled that a pro se appellant accused of double murder and a weapons charge must be retried because he was unfairly denied a jury trial without verbally waiving his rights in open court.

  • September 10, 2025

    Fired FBI Officials Claim 'Campaign Of Retribution' In New Suit

    Three former senior FBI officials sued the Trump administration in D.C. federal court on Wednesday, accusing FBI Director Kash Patel of politicizing the agency and firing them as part of a "campaign of retribution" in a bid to keep his own job.

  • September 10, 2025

    Widow Must Repay IRS Refund Interest, US Tells 4th Circ.

    An 80-year-old widow whose husband was imprisoned after hiding more than $20 million from the IRS should have to pay the agency millions of dollars for interest it mistakenly refunded the couple but which they never repaid, the U.S. government told the Fourth Circuit on Wednesday.

  • September 10, 2025

    Mass. Justices Reject Former State Senator's Immunity Claim

    Massachusetts' highest court ruled Wednesday that a former state senator is not immune from prosecution for using his State House staff to work on his reelection campaigns in 2018 and 2020.

  • September 09, 2025

    6th Circ. Revives Prisoner's Claim Over 'Cold Fan' Punishment

    The Sixth Circuit on Tuesday partially revived a civil rights lawsuit brought by an incarcerated person in Michigan, finding that his First Amendment rights were violated and he was retaliated against for complaining about an industrial fan that blew excessively cold air into his cell.

  • September 09, 2025

    Atty Flashes Weed In NC High Court To Challenge Odor Test

    A defense attorney on Tuesday pulled out a bag of weed in front of North Carolina's seven justices and a courtroom full of sheriffs to illustrate the outcome of letting officers conduct warrantless searches based on the smell of pot alone, saying such a test doesn't work in the age of legalized hemp.

  • September 09, 2025

    Ga. Judges Keep Trump's Interim US Atty In Atlanta Post

    Judges of the Northern District of Georgia have voted to tap interim U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg as the district's top prosecutor, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday, keeping the Trump administration's pick to helm the Atlanta office in place for now.

  • September 09, 2025

    Gilgo Beach DNA Evidence Ruling May Propel New Methods

    A recent ruling from the New York judge overseeing the Gilgo Beach serial killer case finding that the newer DNA testing method known as whole genome sequencing clears rigorous admissibility standards is a laudable decision that could help solve cold cases, according to proponents of the technology.

  • September 09, 2025

    Georgia Judge Likely To Toss 'Cop City' Protester Charges

    A Georgia state judge on Tuesday said he intends to dismiss racketeering charges against 61 people who had protested Atlanta's planned police and fire training facility, nicknamed "Cop City," according to attorneys involved in the case.

Expert Analysis

  • FCA Enforcement Would Make Trump's Tariffs More Effective

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    In implementing its trade policies, the Trump administration is likely to employ the False Claims Act, a powerful enforcement tool that would give tariffs and customs duties teeth, help raise promised revenue and prevent evaders from gaining a competitive advantage, says Sam Buffone at Buffone Law.

  • End-Of-Year FCPA Enforcement Surge Holds Clues For 2025

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    The last three months of 2024 saw more Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement actions than any quarter in the previous four years, providing lessons for companies — even as a new administration raises doubts about whether this momentum will continue, say attorneys at Norton Rose.

  • Public Corruption Enforcement In 2024 Has Clues For 2025

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    If 2024 activity is any indication, the U.S. Supreme Court will likely continue to rein in expansive prosecutorial theories of fraud in the year to come, but it’s harder to predict what the new administration will mean for public corruption prosecutions in 2025, says Cathy Fleming at Offit Kurman.

  • Examining DOJ Corporate Whistleblower Pilot's First 100 Days

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    Though the U.S. Department of Justice’s corporate whistleblower awards pilot program has successfully elicited numerous tips since its August launch, stakeholder feedback leaves questions about how the scheme compares to other whistleblower awards and protections — and how it will fare in the incoming Trump administration, say attorneys at Joseph Greenwald.

  • A Deep Dive Into DOJ's Proposed FARA Shake-Up

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    The U.S. Department of Justice's recently published and long-awaited proposed amendments to the Foreign Agents Registration Act's implementing regulations, if adopted, would mark dramatic changes to the commercial exemption and new requirements for labeling informational materials, says Tessa Capeloto at Wiley.

  • What To Expect In Higher Ed Enforcement Under Trump

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    Colleges and universities should prepare for shifting priorities, as President-elect Donald Trump is likely to focus less on antitrust cases and more on foreign relations policy, while congressional oversight of higher education continues to increase, say attorneys at Steptoe.

  • Series

    NY Banking Brief: All The Notable Legal Updates In Q4

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    In 2024's final quarter, the New York State Department of Financial Services published guidance on mitigating the rising cybersecurity risks of artificial intelligence and remote technology workers with North Korean ties, and the state attorney general launched an antitrust investigation into Capital One's proposed Discover merger, say attorneys at Haynes Boone.

  • What FARA Enforcement In 2024 Reveals For The Year Ahead

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    A number of developments, from indictments to legislation, shaped the Foreign Agents Registration Act enforcement landscape last year, and following the U.S. Department of Justice's recently released long-awaited proposed amendments to the law, 2025 shows no signs of slowing down, says Tessa Capeloto at Wiley.

  • Exploring Venue Strategy For Trump-Era Regulatory Litigation

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    Litigation will likely play a prominent role in shaping policy outcomes during the second Trump administration, and stakeholders have several tools at their disposal to steer regulatory litigation toward more favorable venues, say attorneys at Covington.

  • How White Collar Enforcement May Shift In Trump's 2nd Term

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    After President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House next month, the administration’s emphasis on immigration laws, drug offenses and violent crime will likely reduce the focus on white collar crime overall, but certain areas within the white collar world may see increased activity, say attorneys at Keker Van Nest.

  • Data Privacy Landscape After Mass. Justices' Wiretap Ruling

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    In Vita v. New England Baptist Hospital, Massachusetts’ highest court recently ruled that the state’s wiretap law doesn’t prohibit all tracking of website user activity, but major financial and reputational risks remain for businesses that aren't transparent about customer’s web data, says Seth Berman at Nutter.

  • Expect Continuity In 2025 Anti-Money Laundering Policy

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    The past year has seen a range of anti-money laundering actions from federal financial regulators, and notwithstanding the imminent change from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, continuity may be more prevalent than change in the AML compliance space in 2025, say attorneys at White & Case.

  • 5 Notable Anti-Money Laundering Actions From 2024

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    Regulators' renewed interest in anti-money laundering programs in 2024 led to numerous enforcement actions and individual prosecutions in industries like banking, cryptocurrency and gaming, including the blockbuster TD Bank settlement and investigations of casinos in Nevada, says Michael Beckwith at Dickinson Wright.

  • Rank-And-File DOJ Attorneys Will Keep Calm And Carry On

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    Career prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice often pride themselves on their ability to remain apolitical in order to ensure consistency and keep the department’s mission afloat, and the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to upend this tradition, says Michael Landman at Bird Marella.

  • $3B TD Bank AML Settlement Is A Wake-Up Call For All Banks

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    TD Bank’s historic settlement over anti-money laundering violations, resulting in over $3 billion in penalties, reminds banks of all shapes and sizes why they need to take financial crime compliance seriously, and highlights three areas that may be especially vulnerable to enforcement, says Jack Harrington at Bradley Arant.

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