Judge

After 15 Years on the Bench, Judge Erik Askegaard Bids Farewell to Courtroom Life to Reel in New Adventures

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BRAINERD, Minn. — After dedicating over 15 years to the Crow Wing County District Court, Judge Erik J. Askegaard donned his judicial robes for the final time on June 5. Askegaard leaves behind a legacy marked by a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to justice. Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan reflected on his long-standing relationship with Askegaard, recalling when he first took his seat on the bench. Ryan noted that Askegaard’s background in civil law added a valuable perspective to the court. “His detail-oriented nature always kept those around him on their … Read more

Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Clears the Air Amid Legal Dispute with Judge Glenda Hatchett

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ATLANTA — The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association is providing clarity regarding a legal matter involving television figure Judge Glenda Hatchett. Recent speculation suggested that the organization had initiated legal action against Hatchett, but officials have clarified they are not the ones filing a lawsuit. Instead, the association announced it is pursuing recovery of attorney fees and expenses related to a lawsuit that Hatchett herself filed against them. This clarification follows a civil suit stemming from a 2022 incident involving former Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody, who pled guilty to charges after inappropriately touching Hatchett during a … Read more

Judge Dials Down Baltimore’s $266 Million Opioid Verdict Against Drug Giants, Reducing It to $52 Million Amid Fallout

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Baltimore, Maryland — A judge has ruled that jurors overstepped by awarding the city an excessive sum in a recent verdict against two major drug distributors, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. The decision follows a November trial where jurors determined that these companies had unreasonably supplied large quantities of painkillers that contributed significantly to Baltimore’s opioid crisis. Jurors held McKesson and AmerisourceBergen accountable for an alarming 97% of the city’s opioid epidemic and awarded Baltimore $266 million in damages. However, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill indicated that this amount was disproportionate to the evidence presented, suggesting … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Trump Illegally Deployed National Guard in California, Restoring Governor Newsom’s Authority

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SAN FRANCISCO — In a significant ruling, a federal judge has mandated that President Donald Trump relinquish control of the National Guard troops he dispatched to Los Angeles for immigration enforcement and managing civil unrest. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, stating that the deployment was unlawful and exceeded the President’s authority under the Tenth Amendment. The order is set to take effect Friday at noon. The federal government wasted no time, immediately filing an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court. The ruling raises questions about how it will … Read more