Criminal Law – Criminal Law Wire

Pennsylvania Business Regulation Criminal Law Gambling Law

POM of Pennsylvania v. Department of Revenue — Pennsylvania Supreme Court Holds Skill Game Devices Are Slot Machines Requiring Gaming Act Licensing

/ June 17, 2026

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed the Commonwealth Court and held that “skill game” devices—electronic gaming terminals marketed as legal skill-based alternatives to slot machines—are “slot machines” under the Gaming Act and prohibited “gambling devices” under the Crimes Code, with a 120-day stay giving operators time to adjust before enforcement resumes.

Florida Criminal Law Postconviction Relief Pro Se Litigation

Uncategorized

Wilson v. State – Third DCA Dismisses Belated Appeal Petition from Sanctioned Pro Se Litigant

/ June 8, 2026

The Third DCA dismissed a petition for belated appeal from a pro se litigant who had been barred from filing in the trial court under Spencer, explaining that without a lower court order to review, the appellate court lacks jurisdiction — making a trial court filing bar effectively the ‘end of the road.’

Florida Criminal Law Evidence Prejudicial Evidence

Uncategorized

Madden v. State – First DCA Affirms Admission of Crime Scene Photos Showing Confederate Flag

/ June 8, 2026

The First DCA affirmed the admission of crime scene photographs showing a Confederate flag tag on the defendant’s vehicle, finding no abuse of discretion where the photos were relevant to damage and paint transfer, the tag could not be redacted without losing evidence, and the State did not dwell on the images.

Florida Criminal Law Double Jeopardy Drug Offenses

Uncategorized

Medders v. State – Fourth DCA Reverses Three Drug Convictions on Double Jeopardy Grounds

/ June 8, 2026

The Fourth DCA reversed three of the defendant’s drug convictions on double jeopardy grounds, holding that simple possession is subsumed by possession with intent to sell, and that identically-charged trafficking counts for the same date violate the prohibition against multiple punishments for the same offense.

Ohio Criminal Criminal Law Evidence

Ohio Court of Appeals (Sixth District)

Uncategorized

State v. Buck — Court rejects stand-your-ground defense in assault case with severe victim injuries

/ June 8, 2026

The Sixth District rejected a stand-your-ground defense where the defendant initiated the confrontation by leaving his home to confront the victim, who suffered permanent vision damage.

Ohio Criminal Law Drug Offenses Evidence

Ohio Court of Appeals (Sixth District)

Uncategorized

State v. Sherburne — Court rejects duress defense in major fentanyl trafficking case

/ June 8, 2026

The Sixth District rejected a duress defense in a major fentanyl trafficking prosecution, holding the defendant’s voluntary long-term participation in the drug enterprise precluded the defense as a matter of law.

Ohio Appellate Procedure Criminal Criminal Law

Ohio Court of Appeals (Sixth District)

Uncategorized

State v. Smith — Court orders resentencing for failure to impose indefinite terms under Reagan Tokes Act

/ June 8, 2026

The Sixth District ordered resentencing on a felonious assault conviction where the trial court failed to impose the required indefinite sentence under Ohio’s Reagan Tokes Act.

Ohio Administrative Law Civil Rights Criminal Law

Ohio Court of Appeals (Second District)

Uncategorized

State v. Mikhak — Court affirms revocation of NGRI conditional release

/ June 8, 2026

The Second District affirmed the revocation of NGRI conditional release for a defendant who exhibited a pattern of treatment noncompliance and refusal to accept responsibility for underlying offenses.

Ohio Criminal Law Evidence

Ohio Court of Appeals (Eighth District)

Uncategorized

State v. Barnes — Eighth District affirms domestic violence and assault convictions, addresses threats to EMS workers as separate offenses

/ June 8, 2026

The Eighth District affirmed convictions for domestic violence and aggravated menacing against EMS workers, holding that the defendant’s verbal death threats to first responders constituted separately punishable offenses from the underlying domestic assault.

Ohio Civil Procedure Criminal Law Evidence

Ohio Court of Appeals (Eighth District)

Uncategorized

State v. Mercado — Eighth District reverses dismissal for preindictment delay in 2002 rape case, finding no actual prejudice

/ June 8, 2026

The Eighth District reversed the trial court’s dismissal of a rape and kidnapping indictment for preindictment delay, holding that the defendant failed to establish actual prejudice from the 16-year gap between the offense and indictment despite the deaths of two potential witnesses.