Garza v. Idaho
When an attorney’s ineffective assistance costs a defendant an appeal that the defendant would have otherwise pursued, prejudice to the defendant is presumed – even when that defendant has signed an appeal waiver.
Area(s) of Law:- Appellate Procedure
Jam v. International Finance Corp.
Under the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945 (IOIA), international organizations enjoy the same privileges and immunities as enjoyed by foreign governments, as such the immunity of international organizations is tethered to changes in immunity of foreign governments.
Area(s) of Law:- Sovereign Immunity
Madison v. Alabama
The Eighth Amendment permits execution of a prisoner who cannot remember committing the crime. Panetti v. Quarterman requires only the ability of the prisoner to comprehend the State's reason for the punishment and that judges look downstream to determine whether a specific mental condition may limit the prisoner's ability to comprehend the State's rationale at any time leading up to his execution.
Area(s) of Law:- Criminal Law
Nutraceutical Corporation v. Lambert
The doctrine of equitable tolling does not apply to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(f).
Area(s) of Law:- Appellate Procedure
Dawson v. Steager
West Virginia engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of 4 U.S.C. § 111 when it taxed the federal pension benefits of U.S. Marshals Service retirees and exempted from taxation the pension benefits of certain state and local law enforcement officers.
Area(s) of Law:- Tax Law
Timbs v. Indiana
The Excessive Fines Clause of the Eight Amendment is an incorporated protection applicable to the states under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Area(s) of Law:- Constitutional Law
Moore v. Texas
Under the Eighth Amendment’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment, the State of Texas failed to apply appropriate standards for determining intellectual capacity in relation to capital punishment, which should be informed by current medical standards.
Area(s) of Law:- Sentencing