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De'lonta v. Johnson
The court found a transgender inmate could sue prison officials for denying gender-affirming surgery evaluation. Officials ignored medical standards despite a serious self-harm risk.
People v. Davis
The court upheld a conviction for MDMA possession and sale. It used scientific treatises to classify the substance, even without expert testimony.
Florida v. Harris
The Supreme Court ruled a reliable alert from a certified drug-sniffing dog creates probable cause for a search. This upholds such searches under the Fourth Amendment.
Mutual Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. v. Bartlett
The Supreme Court ruled federal law prevents state design-defect lawsuits against generic drug manufacturers. This limits consumer claims regarding drug design.
Jackson v. State
The court upheld convictions for MDMA and firearms offenses. Evidence was sufficient and mental illness defenses were rejected.
State v. Wright
The court vacated a death sentence. Expert testimony showed the defendant's heroin addiction and cognitive limits made his Miranda waiver unknowing and confession unreliable.
Montana Cannabis Industry Ass'n v. State
The Montana Supreme Court found parts of a medical marijuana law unconstitutional in 2012, striking down limits on patients per physician and advertising bans, but upheld other provisions.
US v. Figueroa
The court upheld a sentencing increase for drug trafficking. It found the defendant's drug addiction did not lessen their responsibility in the conspiracy.
US v. Chowdhury
The Second Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence, ruling his past drug use did not reduce accountability for a complex Medicare fraud scheme. The court considered the operation's scope and impact.
McNeill v. U.S.
The Supreme Court ruled that a prior drug offense's seriousness for ACCA sentencing depends on the maximum penalty at conviction, not later state law changes.
Ramos v. Patnaude
The First Circuit upheld summary judgment for Dr. Patnaude, finding no evidence of deliberate indifference to a pretrial detainee's heroin withdrawal beyond possible negligence.
DePierre v. United States
The Supreme Court ruled that “cocaine base” covers all basic forms of cocaine, not only crack. This expanded the scope of the ADAA's sentencing provisions.
Tapia v. US
The Court ruled that sentencing courts cannot lengthen or impose a prison term to promote a defendant’s rehabilitation. This ensures prison sentences focus on punishment, not rehabilitation efforts.
Pliva, Inc. v. Mensing
The Court ruled generic drug makers cannot be sued over label warnings under state law. Federal law requires their labels to match brand-name drugs, impacting recourse for patients.
Pepper v. United States
The Court held that judges can consider a defendant's rehabilitation, including drug recovery, when resentencing. This decision restores judicial discretion in sentencing.