In Hunter v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that federal appeal waivers are unenforceable when they would produce a miscarriage of justice. Here is what that means for defendants who signed away the right to appeal.
A former Colorado DNA analyst pleaded guilty to manipulating evidence in over 1,000 criminal cases. Her guilty plea reveals systemic failure at the laboratory, institutional negligence, and the profound destruction of liberty. When DNA evidence itself is compromised, the rule of law collapses.
When the Laboratory Burns Down: The Yvonne Woods Plea and the Collapse of Trust Read Post »
In Villarreal v. Texas, the Supreme Court will decide whether trial judges can restrict a testifying defendant’s ability to consult with counsel during trial recesses. The case raises critical Sixth Amendment questions about effective assistance of counsel versus trial judge discretion in managing witness testimony.
In Chatrie v. United States, the Supreme Court will decide whether law enforcement can use geofence warrants to identify all cell phone users in a location without violating the Fourth Amendment. These reverse searches cast a dragnet across areas and identify everyone nearby, raising critical privacy questions for criminal defense.
In State v. Jarvis Turner (March 6, 2026), the Louisiana Supreme Court held that when a defendant claims trial counsel prevented him from testifying, the claim is reviewed under Strickland v. Washington’s ineffective assistance framework, not as automatic structural error. Post-conviction counsel must now prove both deficient performance and prejudice to prevail.
The Supreme Court’s Hemani decision threatens Louisiana CDS-and-firearm statutes under the Supremacy Clause. Here is what the ruling means for state criminal defense.
Supreme Court Marijuana Decision: Major Threat to Louisiana CDS Gun Laws Read Post »
The Louisiana Court of Appeal’s decision in State v. McKee reinforces a defendant’s right to present a complete self-defense claim. Here’s what the ruling means for criminal defense in Baton Rouge.
Self-Defense on Trial: What State v. McKee Means for Your Defense in Louisiana Read Post »
Louisiana law compensates the wrongfully convicted, but procedural compliance is critical. Here is what State v. Broaden teaches about securing compensation.
Getting Compensated for a Wrongful Conviction: What State v. Broaden Teaches Us Read Post »
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Case v. Montana lets police enter a home without a warrant in an emergency. Here is what a warrantless search entry means for your rights in Louisiana.
Police at Your Door Without a Warrant: What Case v. Montana Means Read Post »
U.S. Sentencing Commission’s June 2026 decision to make guidelines amendments non-retroactive forecloses relief for 5,000 federal prisoners. Explore alternative remedies under § 2255 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 35.
Federal Sentencing Reform Stalls: 2026 Amendments Will Not Be Retroactive Read Post »
