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State v. Stack
The court ruled that voluntary intoxication cannot be used as an insanity defense. This upheld a murder conviction for a man who claimed alcohol caused a blackout during a fatal assault.
Croft v. State
The defendant, sentenced to life as a juvenile offender, appealed based on new case law. The court held that the postconviction court lacked jurisdiction to resentence him.
Wittemen v. Florida
The court upheld a life sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years for a defendant convicted of murder at age 17, citing a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling.
G.T. v. Board of Education of Kanawha
The court found Kanawha County schools failed to provide effective behavior support for students with disabilities, violating federal law. This lack of support led to disciplinary actions and hindered learning for students like G.T.
Commonwealth v. Bredhold
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that defendants not yet sentenced could not challenge the death penalty's constitutionality. The court vacated a lower court's finding that the death penalty for those under 21 was unconstitutional.
Brain networks underlying vulnerability and resilience to drug addiction
Research suggests that some individuals exhibit resilience to drug addiction, even with regular use or a family history. This resilience may involve compensatory brain systems that buffer the impact of drug use.
Girls in Juvenile Justice
Girls' involvement in the juvenile justice system is rising, often linked to trauma and mental health issues. They are more frequently involved in status offenses and enter the system at a younger age than boys.
Addiction is driven by excessive goal-directed drug choice under negative affect: Translational critique of habit and compulsion theory
This paper evaluates goal-directed choice, habit, and compulsion theories of addiction. It finds that addiction is primarily driven by excessive goal-directed drug choice influenced by negative emotions.
Combined Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Combined cognitive behavioral therapy and medication for addiction offered more benefits than usual care and medication alone. This highlights the importance of incorporating evidence-based therapies with pharmacotherapy in treatment.
Godsey v. Sawyer
Godsey sued the Bureau of Prisons for buprenorphine access. She received treatment via settlement, but her request for attorney fees was denied as she was not considered the prevailing party.
Crews v. Sawyer
The court declared this case moot after the Bureau of Prisons settled to continue MAT with buprenorphine. This ended the risk of treatment denial, supported by updated First Step Act policy.
In the Matter of Z.O.G.-I.
The court upheld a father's rights termination due to ongoing cannabis use, but sent the case back because of a legal error regarding co-parenting after termination.
People v. Nichols
A court reversed a bail denial for Malisha Blyden. The defendant's mental illness and substance use caused him to miss court, and the court found exceptional hardship justified the full return of her $15,000 bail.
People v. Avila
The court upheld sentencing enhancements for a gang-related shooting. It found the defendant's substance abuse did not reduce their culpability for the crime.
People v. Whalum
The court ruled Proposition 64 did not change the felony ban on possessing cannabis in prison. It affirmed the denial of a recall petition.