Court of Appeals

New York's judicial commission is prioritizing geographic and professional background diversity in selecting the next Court of Appeals nominee to replace retiring Judge Jenny Rivera. Commissioners emphasized encouraging applications from candidates with varied legal expertise, including criminal defense backgrounds, to ensure balanced representation on the state's highest court.

The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear a habeas corpus case for seven chimpanzees at the DeYoung Family Zoo, upholding lower courts' decisions that chimpanzees are not 'persons' under the law. Justice Elizabeth Welch dissented, arguing the law could evolve to recognize animal rights based on scientific understanding.

New York's high court upheld a 1869 law requiring judges to retire at 76, rejecting a challenge from three elderly jurists who argued it violated their rights. The ruling affirms the mandatory retirement age for judges in the state.

Toni Mua, a Michigan House candidate, alleges a legal challenge against her ballot eligibility was motivated by anti-trans bias, while the activist who filed the challenge denies the claim. A court dismissed the challenge, ruling Mua's use of her current name complies with Michigan's common-law name provisions. Arthur Harrington, another candidate, denied being involved in the challenge.

Just Security maintains a litigation tracker monitoring 803 legal challenges to Trump administration executive actions, with 262 total plaintiff wins and 126 government wins as of the tracking period. The tracker covers major cases including challenges to immigration detention policies, F-1 visa registrations, and tariff policies, with 360 cases currently awaiting court rulings.

A court has overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction, a significant development in the high-profile case. The decision marks a turning point in the legal proceedings against Murdaugh. Further details on the appeal and its implications are awaited.