In United States v. Velazquez, No. 19-50099 (9th Cir. June 22, 2021), a 2-1 panel orders a new trial for a defendant where “the prosecutor trivialized” the reasonable-doubt standard during closing argument, comparing it to “something that you use every single day in your life” such as “having a meal … firmly convinced that theContinue reading “Assistant U.S. Attorney Who Told Jury That Reasonable Doubt Is the Confidence of “Having a Meal” Without Getting “Sick” Earns the Defendant a New Trial, Holds Ninth Circuit”
Tag Archives: Ninth Circuit
Evidence of Alleged Prior Assaults Against Different Victims Was Inadmissible Under Fed. R. Evid. 404 and 405, Holds Ninth Circuit
In United States v. Charley, No. 19-10133 (9th Cir. June 13, 2021), the Ninth Circuit vacates a defendant’s convictions on two counts of assault within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and remands for a new trial on the assault counts, holding that it was not harmless error to admit evidence of the defendant’sContinue reading “Evidence of Alleged Prior Assaults Against Different Victims Was Inadmissible Under Fed. R. Evid. 404 and 405, Holds Ninth Circuit”
Ninth Circuit Splits Over How to Analyze Jurisdictional Amount for Section 7 Action to Enforce Subpoena Under Federal Arbitration Act
In Maine Community Health Options v. Albertsons Cos., Inc., No. 20-35931 (9th Cir. Mar. 31, 2021), deciding an issue of first impression for the circuit, the judges – following different routes – holds that there is diversity jurisdiction over an action under Section 7 of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), 9 U.S.C. § 7, seeking enforcementContinue reading “Ninth Circuit Splits Over How to Analyze Jurisdictional Amount for Section 7 Action to Enforce Subpoena Under Federal Arbitration Act”
Dissenting Ninth Circuit Judge Makes “Plea to the Supreme Court” to Fix Interlocutory Appeals of Qualified Immunity
A split panel in Estate of Anderson v. Marsh, No. 19-15068 (9th Cir. Jan. 15, 2021) holds that the court of appeals lacks jurisdiction over an interlocutory appeal – at the summary judgment stage – of a denial of qualified immunity. The dissenting judge, though, implores the Supreme Court to review the appellate jurisdiction issue,Continue reading “Dissenting Ninth Circuit Judge Makes “Plea to the Supreme Court” to Fix Interlocutory Appeals of Qualified Immunity”
Three-Judge Panel Can Overrule Circuit Precedent If Its Reasoning Is “Irreconcilable” With Intervening Supreme Court Authority, Holds Ninth Circuit
In Langere v. Verizon Wireless Servs., No. 19-55747 (9th Cir. Dec. 29, 2020), the Ninth Circuit clarifies the standard for when a three-judge panel may overrule circuit precedent in the face of “irreconcilable” Supreme Court authority. It holds that it is not necessary for the prior circuit caselaw to be on all fours with theContinue reading “Three-Judge Panel Can Overrule Circuit Precedent If Its Reasoning Is “Irreconcilable” With Intervening Supreme Court Authority, Holds Ninth Circuit”
Expert Testimony Not Necessary to Prove Existence of Office’s E-Mail Storage, Holds Ninth Circuit
In Clare v. Clare, No. 19-36039 (9th Cir. Dec. 8, 2020), a case concerning a husband’s intrusion into his wife’s work e-mail, the Ninth Circuit reverses exclusion of a declaration about how the office stored data. Andrea Clare sued Kevin Clare under the federal Stored Communications Act (SCA) 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., forContinue reading “Expert Testimony Not Necessary to Prove Existence of Office’s E-Mail Storage, Holds Ninth Circuit”
“Pop Secret” Lawsuit Fails to Fluff, When Ninth Circuit Finds No Article III Standing
In McGee v. Diamond Foods, Inc., No. 17-55577 (9th Cir. Dec. 4, 2020), the Ninth Circuit affirms dismissal of a lawsuit against a snack food company alleging adulteration with an unhealthy ingredient, finding no Article III injury in fact. “McGee contends that Diamond engaged in unfair practices, created a nuisance, and breached the warranty ofContinue reading ““Pop Secret” Lawsuit Fails to Fluff, When Ninth Circuit Finds No Article III Standing”
Misdemeanor Trial for On-Board Assault Properly Venued in District Where Plane Landed, Holds En Banc Ninth Circuit
In United States v. Lozoya, No. 17-50336 (9th Cir. Dec. 3, 2020), the Ninth Circuit holds 8-3 that the prosecution of an on-board misdemeanor is venued, under 18 U.S.C. § 3237(a), in the district where the plane lands and not the flyover district where the crime occurred. During a Minneapolis-to-Los Angeles flight, defendant Lozoya “wantedContinue reading “Misdemeanor Trial for On-Board Assault Properly Venued in District Where Plane Landed, Holds En Banc Ninth Circuit”
Defendant Did Not Forfeit Affirmative Defenses by Failing to Answer Second Amended Complaint, Holds Ninth Circuit
In KST Data, Inc. V. Enterprise Servs. LLC, No. 19-55422 (9th Cir. Nov. 17, 2020), the Ninth Circuit holds that the district court erred in granting summary judgment sua sponte in a contact case when it denied the defendant the opportunity to argue its affirmative defenses. “Defendant Enterprise Services, LLC (‘ES’) entered into a contractContinue reading “Defendant Did Not Forfeit Affirmative Defenses by Failing to Answer Second Amended Complaint, Holds Ninth Circuit”
Ninth Circuit Vacates Class-Settlement Fee Award Under Rule 23(h), Rejecting Lodestar-With-Multiplier Calculation in Case Where 96% of Value Is Coupons
In Chambers v. Whirlpool Corp., No. 16-56666 (9th Cir. Nov. 10, 2020), a Ninth Circuit panel affirms a class settlement, but remands the case for a recalculation of the attorney’s fees under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(h). The panel finds that awarding the lawyers’ billable hours with a 1.69 multiplier – totaling $14.8 million –Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Vacates Class-Settlement Fee Award Under Rule 23(h), Rejecting Lodestar-With-Multiplier Calculation in Case Where 96% of Value Is Coupons”
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