USA Archive - Law Commentary

Glynn Simmons smiling while speaking, wearing a gray hat and glasses, reflecting on his wrongful incarceration and recent settlement.

Wrongfully Incarcerated for Nearly 50 Years, City of Edmond Agrees to $7.15 Million Settlement with Exoneree

Glynn Simmons, who spent nearly five decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, has reached a $7.15 million settlement with the city of Edmond, Oklahoma. The agreement marks a major step in Simmons' long fight for justice, as he continues to pursue legal action against other parties... Read More about Wrongfully Incarcerated for Nearly 50 Years, City of Edmond Agrees to $7.15 Million Settlement with Exoneree

Exterior view of the Los Angeles Police Department building.

Los Angeles Immune From Damages Caused by Arresting Woman With Similar Name to Suspect

Earlier this month, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the City of Los Angeles is immune from liability for actions by the Los Angeles Police Department that sent an innocent woman to jail for 12 days because a Texas grand jury made an error when it... Read More about Los Angeles Immune From Damages Caused by Arresting Woman With Similar Name to Suspect

Cash App Users Can Claim up to $2,500 Following a $15 Million Class Action Settlement

If you are or were a user of the popular digital wallet and finance app Cash App, you may be able to claim up to $2,500 following a recent $15 million settlement that was reached in a recent class action lawsuit. The lawsuit was the result of two data breaches... Read More about Cash App Users Can Claim up to $2,500 Following a $15 Million Class Action Settlement

Protesters holding signs expressing their views on abortion rights during a demonstration.

Iowa Abortion Providers Drop Lawsuit After Supreme Court Upholds Strict Six-Week Abortion Ban

According to AP News, Iowa abortion providers have decided to drop their lawsuit challenging the state's stringent abortion law. This move comes after the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a law banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, a period before many women even know they are pregnant. The... Read More about Iowa Abortion Providers Drop Lawsuit After Supreme Court Upholds Strict Six-Week Abortion Ban

A courtroom interior featuring wooden paneling, rows of empty seats, and a view of the judge's bench with light streaming in through the windows.

Only Attorneys, Not Parents, Can Represent Children in Court Regardless of Limited Access to Pro Bono Counsel

The federal government enacted the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to assure that homeless children have the same educational rights and protections as those with places to live. The law requires all local educational agencies to ensure the rights of those without a roof over their heads. But when La Dell... Read More about Only Attorneys, Not Parents, Can Represent Children in Court Regardless of Limited Access to Pro Bono Counsel

Mariah Carey performs during a holiday event surrounded by a choir and Santa Claus.

Mariah Carey Seeks Dismissal of Copyright Lawsuit Over “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Mariah Carey and her legal team are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit accusing her of copyright infringement over her iconic holiday hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The motion, filed in Los Angeles federal court, comes more than nine months after songwriter Vince Vance, whose real name... Read More about Mariah Carey Seeks Dismissal of Copyright Lawsuit Over “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Dearica Hamby, wearing a Los Angeles Sparks jersey, is seen during a game, interacting with fans and teammates.

WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Sues Las Vegas Aces for Pregnancy-Related Discrimination

Dearica Hamby, a current forward for the Los Angeles Sparks and former player for the Las Vegas Aces, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Aces, alleging discrimination and retaliation following her disclosure of her pregnancy in 2022. The legal action, initiated on August 12, 2024, names both the WNBA... Read More about WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Sues Las Vegas Aces for Pregnancy-Related Discrimination

A wooden gavel resting on a sound block, symbolizing the judicial system and court rulings.

Insurance Policy Limiting COVID Coverage to Very Specific Instances Upheld by California Supreme Court

If there is any lesson that businesses should learn from the recent pandemic, the most important one is probably this: Read your insurance policies carefully to make sure they are specific enough to cover all potential risks. The California Supreme Court has ruled that commercial property policies that cover losses... Read More about Insurance Policy Limiting COVID Coverage to Very Specific Instances Upheld by California Supreme Court

Crowd gathered at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th riot, with flags and signs visible.

California Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Assaulting Police During January 6th Capitol Riot

The US District Court for the District of Columbia sentenced a Van Nuys, California resident, David Nicholas Dempsey, to 20 years in prison on Friday for his violent actions against police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Dempsey, who traveled from California to Washington, DC,... Read More about California Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Assaulting Police During January 6th Capitol Riot

Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally with an American flag in the background.

Donald Trump Sued by Isaac Hayes' Estate Over Unauthorized Use of Music at Campaign Events

The family of the late Isaac Hayes has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and his 2024 campaign, alleging unauthorized use of Hayes’ song “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Isaac Hayes, known for his profound influence on soul music, co-wrote “Hold On, I’m Coming” with David Porter. Over the... Read More about Donald Trump Sued by Isaac Hayes' Estate Over Unauthorized Use of Music at Campaign Events

Nikolas Cruz during a court hearing related to the Parkland school shooting case.

Families of Parkland School Shooting Victims Reach Settlement with Shooter

The aftermath of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has seen significant legal developments as the families of the victims seek justice. Recently, multi-million dollar settlements were reached with Nikolas Cruz, the shooter responsible for the massacre on February 14, 2018, in which 17... Read More about Families of Parkland School Shooting Victims Reach Settlement with Shooter

Inmate Taberon Honie during a court proceeding, reflecting on his past actions and circumstances leading to his execution.

Utah Death Row Inmate Taberon Honie Executed, Sparks Renewed Conversations about Capital Punishment

The execution of a death row inmate in Utah this week has reignited conversations about capital punishment laws in the U.S., the winding legal road death row inmates will often go down as they begin serving out their sentence, and what the future of death row should look like. Shortly... Read More about Utah Death Row Inmate Taberon Honie Executed, Sparks Renewed Conversations about Capital Punishment

A judge addressing a case in a courtroom setting, emphasizing legal points during a hearing.

California Supreme Court Clarifies Application of Penal Code Amendment for Sentencing

The California Supreme Court has provided new guidance on when a recent amendment to the state’s Penal Code applies to defendants whose judgments are not yet final. From now on, an "upper term" sentence must be reversed on appeal and remanded back to the trial court unless the reviewing court... Read More about California Supreme Court Clarifies Application of Penal Code Amendment for Sentencing

A submersible operated by OceanGate, named Titan, shown underwater.

Family of French Explorer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against OceanGate Over Titanic Submersible Implosion

The family of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French explorer who perished last year during an expedition to the Titanic, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against OceanGate, the operator of the submersible. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Washington state, accuses the company of gross negligence and seeks at least $50 million... Read More about Family of French Explorer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against OceanGate Over Titanic Submersible Implosion

A group of people memorializing victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting, with crosses and flowers displayed in a field outside the school building.

Civil Trial Underway After Survivors Sue the Parents of Texas School Shooter

The parents of a former Texas high school student who was accused of killing 10 people during a shooting rampage at his high school in 2018 are facing a new lawsuit that accuses them of not doing enough to prevent their son's violent actions. In May 2018, Dimitrios Pagourtzis shot... Read More about Civil Trial Underway After Survivors Sue the Parents of Texas School Shooter