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US Supreme Court rules reckless offenses do not qualify as ‘violent felony’

JURIST

The US Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit that “reckless” crimes qualify as violent felonies for purposes of the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA). had pleaded guilty to a felon-in-possession charge, and the government sought to apply the enhanced sentence under the ACCA.

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The Unfinished Business of Felony Murder

The Crime Report

In 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court abolished key aspects of its “felony murder rule,” the common law doctrine that made everyone involved in a felony that resulted in death guilty of first-degree murder—guilty even if they personally inflicted no violence and never intended to hurt anyone. The Rest of the Iceberg.

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29 children in Nigeria likely facing the death penalty following months of political unrest and protests

JURIST

29 children in Nigeria are facing a looming death penalty after being charged with acts of felony including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny. Legal practitioners and advocates of good governance have condemned this act stating that it constitutes an infringement of the Child Rights Act of Nigeria.

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Court limits definition of “violent felony” in federal gun-possession penalty

SCOTUSBlog

Share A fractured Supreme Court on Thursday narrowed the scope of a key phrase in the Armed Career Criminal Act, ruling that crimes involving recklessness do not count as “violent felonies” for the purpose of triggering a key sentencing enhancement. Justice Clarence Thomas did not join Kagan’s opinion but concurred in the result.

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State Supreme Court Justice Charged With Felonies For Trying To ‘Wrap Up’ Her Husband’s Investigation

Above The Law

The post State Supreme Court Justice Charged With Felonies For Trying To ‘Wrap Up’ Her Husband’s Investigation appeared first on Above the Law. Yeah, that's not how spousal privilege is supposed to work.

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“Government Wins Another Fragile Victory For Key Felony Charge in Jan. 6 Cases; Appeals judges’ acceptance of the government’s positions have been 100-percent correlated with the political party of the judge’s appointer”

HowAppealing

Government Wins Another Fragile Victory For Key Felony Charge in Jan. 6 Cases; Appeals judges’ acceptance of the government’s positions have been 100-percent correlated with the political party of the judge’s appointer”: Roger Parloff has this post at the “Lawfare” blog.

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Rights group says Lebanon court landmark ruling must end torture and impunity

JURIST

Amnesty said the ruling, announced on December 5, 2024, is not only crucial for recognizing the Lebanese government’s accountability for the torture endured by Itani but also for requiring restitution for his physical and mental harm. Amnesty said the state failed to safeguard Itani’s presumption of innocence.

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