Misdemeanor

Scott Pichon’s Spitting Incident Leads to Misdemeanor Charge as Felony Assault Case is Dropped

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WASHINGTON — A Maryland attorney is facing a misdemeanor charge after federal prosecutors chose to dismiss a felony assault case involving an incident with National Guardsmen. The decision marks a continuation of a trend where more serious charges against individuals accused of assaults on federal officers have been downgraded. Scott Pichon was initially charged with a felony last month after he allegedly spat on members of the National Guard while riding a scooter near Union Station. This week, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the felony charge without prejudice, which allows for the possibility of … Read more

Mother Convicted of Misdemeanor Child Abuse After Toddler Overdoses on Fentanyl Found in Home

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REDDING, Calif. — A Shasta County jury has convicted Candice Lynn Youngblood on charges of misdemeanor child abuse and possession of an injection/ingestion device. The verdict comes in the wake of an alarming incident involving Youngblood’s child, who suffered an overdose after coming into contact with fentanyl in their home. The troubled situation unfolded following a 911 call placed by the child’s father when their 18-month-old son became unresponsive after ingesting the potent opioid. Emergency responders arrived in time to administer Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and the child was subsequently transported to a … Read more

Multnomah County DA Implements New Jury Selection Rule to Combat Racial Bias in Misdemeanor Trials

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PORTLAND, Ore. — In a significant shift in courtroom policy, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has announced plans to eliminate the use of peremptory challenges by prosecutors in misdemeanor trials. Citing concerns over racial and ethnic exclusion in jury selection, Schmidt expressed that this change aims to foster a more equitable legal process. Peremptory challenges allow both prosecutors and defense attorneys to dismiss potential jurors without stating a cause, often used to remove jurors deemed as having implicit biases. Historically, this practice has been critiqued for allowing subjective dismissals that could contribute to racial … Read more

Owner of Dogs in Warren Dog Attack Requests Jury Trial, Faces Misdemeanor Charges

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HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. – Megan Anderson, the owner of two dogs that allegedly bit a Warren man and killed his dog, appeared in court on Wednesday for her initial hearing. Anderson requested a jury trial during the hearing, where she faced two Class C Misdemeanor charges of dog bite liability resulting in injury. If convicted, she could face a minimum of 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. This case dates back to December when a judge in Huntington County ordered the removal of the dogs from Anderson’s care. The animals … Read more