court

Drunk Driving Illegal Migrant Arrested After Slap on Wrist by Georgia Court

ATLANTA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested an undocumented Guatemalan national in Cornelia, Georgia, after he failed to leave the country following a deportation order. Miguel Andres-Mateo, 20, was taken into custody on Jan. 21 by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Atlanta’s Mobile Criminal Alien Team. An immigration judge had ordered his removal on Oct. 7, 2014, but he did not comply with the voluntary departure. Mateo’s criminal record includes a May 1, 2023, arrest by the Habersham County Police Department for driving under the influence. He was convicted on May 22, 2023, and sentenced to 12

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Armed Suspect, Court Bailiff Exchange Gunfire Inside Baltimore Courthouse

BALTIMORE — Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Friday morning inside the Baltimore City Eastside District Court after an armed man and a courthouse bailiff exchanged gunfire. According to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID), the incident happened around 8:40 a.m. when a man entered the courthouse and, while standing near the entrance, pulled a handgun from his pocket and pointed it at his own head. A District Court of Maryland bailiff, assigned to courthouse security, responded by drawing his firearm and pointing it at the man. During the confrontation, both the man and

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Newburgh man who killed three family members convicted in court

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — Kaliek Goode-Ford, 35, of Newburgh, was convicted Thursday of all charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, for fatally shooting three family members and attempting to kill a child in a 2021 attack, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced. The jury found Goode-Ford guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree and second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 18, 2025, and faces life in prison without parole. Prosecutors said Goode-Ford entered a residence in the Town of Newburgh, where he shot and killed a man, his

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Jackson Township targets court congestion with review of overreaching and burdensome legacy ordinances

JACKSON, N.J. — Jackson Township officials are taking steps to reduce the burden of minor code enforcement cases on the municipal court system by reviewing many ordinances, some on the books since the 1960s and 1970s. The township will also be introducing an online system for residents to pay fines for minor offenses without the need for a court appearance. Council President Jennifer Kuhn announced the initiative, saying the current system is inefficient and unnecessarily disruptive for residents facing minor infractions, such as uncut grass or other minor code violations. “We don’t want to make people’s lives miserable or have

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Court Bans Contractor from Home Improvement Work in Pennsylvania

Court Bans Contractor from Home Improvement Work in Pennsylvania

**HARRISBURG, PA** – A Luzerne County Judge has prohibited a local contractor from engaging in home improvement services in Pennsylvania and has mandated $79,000 in restitution to affected consumers. Vincent Vince, who owns Independent Construction Builders, LLC, was also penalized $12,000 for breaches of the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

The decision followed a three-day trial concerning allegations against Independent Construction Builders for violations under the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Claims centered on uncompleted work, subpar workmanship, and unpaid refunds, as outlined during the proceedings.

Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized the importance of contractor compliance and the repayment mandate for wronged consumers, highlighting Vince’s failure to abide by industry rules. The ruling aims to safeguard consumers from future misconduct by barring the company from operating in the sector within the state.

Judge Tina Polachek Gartley of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas presided over the trial and ruled in favor of the Commonwealth on all charges. The case, where seven consumers provided testimony, was managed by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise.

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Supreme Court Upholds Biden TikTok Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in support for a law that could ban TikTok nationwide unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests from the platform by Sunday, January 19, 2025. The law, aimed at addressing national security concerns over potential Chinese government access to American user data, has been challenged by TikTok and content creators who argue it violates First Amendment rights. However, during recent oral arguments, the justices focused largely on security risks rather than free speech implications. TikTok, with about 170 million U.S. users, faces removal from app stores and blocked updates if the

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NYC Congestion Tax to Go Live Sunday After Judge Rejects New Jersey’s Court Challenge

NEW YORK — A federal judge has rejected New Jersey’s last-minute legal challenge to New York City’s congestion pricing program, paving the way for tolls to take effect as scheduled on Sunday. U.S. Senior Judge Leo Gordon delivered his decision Friday evening, denying an emergency motion filed by attorneys representing New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. The state had sought to delay the implementation of the program, which is intended to reduce traffic in Midtown and Lower Manhattan while generating billions of dollars for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). “In a nutshell, denied,” Gordon said in court, ruling against New

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19-year-old injured in Upper Brook Court shooting, investigation underway

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — A 19-year-old man was injured in a shooting early Wednesday on the 900 block of Upper Brook Court, according to police. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after 12:26 a.m. to find the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. He was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Police described the incident as isolated and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. Both the Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Officials stated that the investigation

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Court blocks MTA’s congestion pricing plan following New Jersey lawsuit

NEWARK, NJ — A federal judge has ruled against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) congestion pricing proposal, delaying its implementation after determining that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acted improperly in approving the plan. The decision, announced Monday, came in response to a lawsuit filed by New Jersey, which challenged the proposed tolling scheme for vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district. The tolls were set to take effect on January 5, 2025, but the court’s ruling requires the plan to undergo further review. In the ruling, the judge found that the FHWA acted “arbitrarily and capriciously,” citing a lack of

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Court Affirms Sheriff’s Public Records Claim Against County Executive Cassilly

BEL AIR, Md. — A Harford County Circuit Court judge has upheld a decision by the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board (PIACB), ruling that the administration of Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly violated the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) by refusing to disclose requested public records. The dispute stems from a 2023 MPIA request filed by Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, seeking transparency regarding the Central Precinct and Training Academy Project and the selection of MW Studios Architecture Master Planning (MWS) to conduct a feasibility study. The sheriff raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in awarding the study to

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New Jersey Promotes Naughty Judge Who Was Having an Affair with Court Staffer, To Make Relationship Legit

In a story first reported by the New Jersey Globe, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner of New Jersey’s Supreme Court recently elevated Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski to the state appellate court—a move that’s now raising eyebrows due to its backstory. Jablonski, who was serving as the assignment judge in Hudson County, had been in a consensual romantic relationship with a court staffer who directly reported to him, sparking concerns about transparency and accountability in the judiciary. Talk about a plot twist that would make courtroom dramas jealous. New Jersey’s Chief Justice Stuart Rabner recently made headlines after promoting Judge Jeffrey R.

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Court Rules New Jersey, Governor Murphy Had No Authority to Seize Control of Local Police Department

PATERSON, NJ — New Jersey’s takeover of a North Jersey police department has been deemed illegal by a judge today. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin announced plans to appeal a court ruling that declared his office’s takeover of the Paterson Police Department in March 2023 unlawful. The appellate court’s decision on Wednesday ordered Platkin to return control of the department to city officials, citing the lack of municipal consent for the state’s intervention. Platkin assumed oversight of the department after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks, an anti-violence advocate who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis at

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Man arrested after barricade incident and shooting on Garden Grove Court

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was taken into custody Monday following a barricade situation that began after an attempted home invasion and gunfire that injured a dog. Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officers responded to the 900 block of Garden Grove Court at 8:48 a.m. for a report of an attempted break-in. Authorities said Sokim Om, 44, initially tried to enter a victim’s residence before leaving the scene. Om later returned and fired a weapon through the home’s closed front door, striking a dog inside, police said. After the incident, Om retreated to his nearby residence. Officers

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Danville man’s case advances to court in deadly DUI crash on Route 283

LANCASTER, Pa. — A Danville man charged in connection with a fatal September DUI crash that killed his passenger will face trial in county court following a preliminary hearing this week, officials said. Apar Shirishkumar Patel, 36, of 2nd Street in Danville, is accused of driving under the influence when his vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of Route 283 in East Hempfield Township on the night of September 8. The crash claimed the life of his 33-year-old passenger, Karra Clevenger. Judge Brian Chudzik ruled Monday that Patel’s case will proceed to the Lancaster County Court of

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Pennsylvania mom charged with baby’s sleeping death used cocaine to stay awake, court documents relveal

LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster woman accused of causing the death of her three-month-old child while using cocaine to stay awake has waived her preliminary hearing, allowing her case to proceed to county court, authorities said Thursday. Luz Linette Saez, 32, is facing felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children. The charges stem from an incident on August 30, 2024, when police were called to Saez’s residence on South Lime Street and discovered the infant deceased. An autopsy determined the child died from complications of asphyxia due to co-sleeping. Investigators say Saez admitted to using cocaine

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Three charged in April murder of missing Pennsylvania man head to county court

LANCASTER, Pa. — Three individuals accused of murdering 25-year-old Matthew Scott Whisman in April will have their cases move to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas after waiving their preliminary hearings on Tuesday. The defendants, Alexander Whisman, 17; Steven Gaddis, 27; and Jeremy Absher, 25, face 11 charges each, including murder, kidnapping to facilitate a felony, drug delivery resulting in death, intimidation of a witness, and abuse of a corpse. The waivers were entered before District Judge William Mankin. Authorities allege the three assaulted, kidnapped, and killed Matthew Whisman after learning he intended to cooperate with law enforcement regarding

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Clay Township Man’s Case Moves to County Court Following Allegations of Teen Rape

CLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In a recent legal development, Michael Christopher Pringle, a 61-year-old resident of Clay Township, will face trial in the Court of Common Pleas for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl. The decision came after a preliminary hearing on November 25, where District Judge Torrey Landis found sufficient evidence to advance the case. Pringle faces serious charges including felony rape, statutory sexual assault, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault. The accusations stem from an incident reported on October 6, where the young victim

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New Jersey’s Convicted Senator Menendez Asks For New Court Hearing Citing Prosecution Errors in Gold Bar Trial

Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez has filed a motion in Manhattan federal court requesting a new trial after his bribery conviction. His defense argues that improper evidence was accessed by jurors during deliberations, compromising the fairness of the trial. Key Points: Bob Menendez Appeals For New Trial Citing Prosecution Error Former Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s legal team petitioned Wednesday for the Manhattan federal court to overturn his bribery convictions and authorize a retrial. The request follows prosecutors’ admissions that jurors accessed tainted evidence on a computer during deliberations, rendering a new trial necessary, according to the defense’s filed

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Columbus woman charged with murder in Deborah Court shooting

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 20-year-old woman has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Darreion Alonzo Davis, 24, who was critically injured in a November 18 incident on Deborah Court and died two days later, police said Wednesday. Officers responded to the scene in the 1900 block of Deborah Court, where they found Davis suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital in life-threatening condition and succumbed to his injuries on November 20. The suspect, identified as Alise Schlaegel, was initially arrested on a charge of felonious assault. Following Davis’s death, the charges were upgraded

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Appeals court upholds murder conviction for Ohio man sentenced to life in prison

ATHENS, Ohio — The Fourth District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Justin Anthony Pennington, 37, of Guysville, Ohio, who is serving a sentence of 27 years, 11 months to life in prison for a series of violent crimes, including the murder of Blaine Sharpe in 2021. Pennington was convicted by a jury of murder, involuntary manslaughter, two counts of felonious assault, and breaking and entering. Additionally, the court found he violated the terms of his probation from previous convictions for receiving stolen property and identity fraud, leading to the reinstatement of a previously suspended prison term. The

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Paper shredding truck outside DOJ prompts emergency court motion from Texas attorney general

WASHINGTON — A paper shredding truck parked outside the Department of Justice headquarters has sparked allegations of potential document destruction, leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to file an emergency motion seeking the preservation of federal records connected to the ongoing investigation of former President Donald Trump. Paxton filed the request Thursday in the Amarillo Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, urging the court to issue a preservation or temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of documents related to special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation. The motion, citing the truck’s presence, accuses the DOJ

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Supreme Court to review legality of FCC-managed Universal Service Fund

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday it will review the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) management of the $9 billion Universal Service Fund, which supports phone and internet services for underserved areas. The case challenges whether Congress improperly delegated its revenue-raising authority to the FCC under the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Key points:   The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to review whether a fund managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  that is supposed to improve phone and internet services is legal. The court’s review responds to allegations that Congress improperly delegated its authority to this independent agency,

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Yonkers Burglar Sentenced to Nine Years for Failing to Appear in Court

Burglar Sentenced to Nine Years for Failing to Appear in Court

**Goshen, NY** – Oscar Castillo, a Yonkers resident, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Monday following his guilty plea to second-degree burglary in Orange County Court last year. After pleading guilty in February 2023, Castillo did not return for sentencing, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

In court documents, it was revealed that Castillo was involved in a burglary on November 18, 2017, at a house on Cardinal Drive in Washingtonville. Two men broke into the house, confronted by the homeowner, who reported that they were masked, armed with a shotgun, and impersonated FBI agents. A physical altercation ensued, resulting in the homeowner’s injury.

Washingtonville Police, with the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, conducted a crime scene analysis where DNA evidence matched Castillo. Castillo was apprehended on July 2, 2021, in Westchester County, with the help of New York State Parole.

District Attorney David M. Hoovler expressed gratitude to the Washingtonville Police and other involved agencies for their collaborative efforts. The case against Castillo is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Peter Fernandez and

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Myrtle Beach police investigate Shavis Court shooting

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured Wednesday night in the area of Shavis Court, officials said. At approximately 9:43 p.m. on November 20, a shooting victim arrived at the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center, prompting officers to begin an investigation. Authorities determined that the incident occurred in the 1400 block of Shavis Court. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment, and their condition has not been disclosed. Law enforcement has increased its presence in the area as detectives work to gather evidence and identify any potential suspects. Residents with

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‘Outrageous’: Georgia Governor Reacts To Court Claim That NYC Flew Laken Riley Killer To Georgia

Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office blasted apparent revelations that Laken Riley’s killer was flown into the state before her murder, and confirmed they are working to get more answers. The roommate of Jose Ibarra testified in court that she and Ibarra arrived in Georgia by way of a humanitarian flight from New York City in 2023. Ibarra on Wednesday was ultimately found guilty of murdering Riley, a Georgia nursing student at the time, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The fact that an illegal migrant and killer was likely flown into the community via

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