Judge

California Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Snapchat Over Fentanyl Overdoses to Move Forward

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge in California has given the green light for a lawsuit linking fentanyl overdoses to the social media app Snapchat to proceed. The lawsuit alleges that the platform facilitated the sale of illegal drugs. One of the plaintiffs, Kim Osterman, lost her son in 2021 after he contacted a drug dealer through Snapchat and purchased a fentanyl-laced pill instead of the intended Percocet. Osterman is among many families in Colorado who have experienced the devastating loss of a loved one due to fentanyl-laced pills. Since the lawsuit was filed in … Read more

Arkansas Judge Blocks Enforcement of Laws Weakening State Board’s Authority, Extending Temporary Restraining Order

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LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – In a significant victory for the state Board of Corrections, a judge extended her order on Thursday, further blocking the enforcement of two state laws that the board argued violated the Arkansas Constitution by undermining its authority. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Patricia James converted the initial temporary restraining order, issued on December 15, into a preliminary injunction, which will prohibit the enforcement of Act 185 and certain sections of Act 659 until the board’s lawsuit against the laws is resolved. The laws in question, enacted during last year’s Legislative session, aimed … Read more

Judge Denies Woman’s Appeal for Ownership Rights to Dogs in ‘House of Horrors’ Animal Abuse Investigation

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CHANDLER, Ariz. – A judge has denied the appeal of a woman involved in an animal abuse investigation in Chandler, Arizona to regain ownership of the dogs at the center of the case. The woman, identified as April McLaughlin, also known as “Sydney McKinley,” was previously accused of 95 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. In October, a judge terminated her rights to the dogs, a decision that she later appealed. However, her appeal has now been dismissed. The case, often referred to as the ‘House of Horrors,’ gained attention in September 2023 when authorities removed … Read more

Unexpected Cancellation: Jury Duty Suspended for Judge Lagomarsino’s 13th District Court Panel

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Lafayette, Louisiana – The 13th District Court in Lafayette has announced the cancellation of jury duty for the panel scheduled on Friday, Jan. 5. Judge James Lagomarsino’s court will not require any candidates to serve on the jury. Candidates who were eagerly awaiting their selection for jury duty in Judge Lagomarsino’s court will now be relieved of this obligation. The cancellation of jury duty was announced through a public service announcement, providing advance notice to those affected. No specific reasons were provided for the cancellation of jury duty in Judge Lagomarsino’s court. However, this decision … Read more