Charmaine Little News
Fifth District affirms ruling in woman's sex offender registration dispute
MOUNT VERNON -- The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert Haida's ruling denying a woman's motion to withdraw her negotiated guilty plea and vacate her sentence following charges for aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Fifth District dismisses case against man who sought release from DHS mental health facility
MOUNT VERNON -- The Fifth District Appellate Court dismissed a man’s appeal for conditional release from a mental treatment center as moot because his actual release date was last year.
Rosenstengel denied dismissal in suit alleging workers were not given proper termination notices
BENTON. -- District judge Nancy Rosenstengel denied a motion to dismiss filed by two companies sued in a class action alleging they negated their workers' proper termination notices.
Fifth District affirms denial of disability benefits for former custodian
MOUNT VERNON -- The Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed a circuit court's ruling that a custodian isn't owed total and permanent disabilities from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, or IMRF.
Fifth District orders new trial for man convicted of murder
MT. VERNON, Ill. —A man convicted of first-degree murder will get a new trial after the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court agreed with him that the jury should have been given instructions on his self-defense argument Nov. 19.
Edwardsville lawyers named partner at Foley & Mansfield
Three Edwardsville attorneys will become partners of the national defense firm Foley & Mansfield at the beginning of the new year.
Judge dismisses individual defendants from ADA suit, but case against SIUE can proceed
EAST ST LOUIS—U.S. District Judge Staci M. Yandle dismissed individual defendants from a Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville worker's American Disabilities Act lawsuit on Nov. 19.
Fifth District: Man accused of assaulting girlfriend got proper counsel
MT. VERNON—Despite the claims of a man who was convicted of domestic battery, he was not deprived of efficient counsel in his bench trial, the Fifth District Appellate Court determined on Nov. 19.
Pro bono forum will give attorneys chance to offer free legal services for civil matters
While legal representation is a lawful mandate in criminal matters, the same doesn’t hold true for civil issues such as domestic violence, discrimination, eviction and divorce.
Fifth District affirms conviction in murder of Washington Park mayor
MT. VERNON –– The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed a conviction in the first-degree murder of Washington Park Mayor John Thornton.
Appeals court ends neighbors' driveway dispute
A Red Bud homeowner cannot make her neighbor pay to repair a shared easement, an appeals court ruled.
Appellate court reverses sex offender registration conviction
An Illinois appeals court reversed a man’s conviction after he was accused of failing to register as a sex offender.
Illinois State Bar Association appoints Madison County judge to section council
Third Judicial Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli will serve on the bench and bar section council for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).
Illinois State Bar Association chooses Madison County judge for two advocacy councils
A Madison County juvenile court judge will serve on two section councils of the Illinois State Bar Association.
St. Clair County man accused of sexual abuse remains in state custody after 'not not-guilty' ruling
An accused sexual predator will remain in the custody of Department of Human Services (DHS) after an Illinois appellate court found he is still "not not-guilty."
Fifth District tosses ACT appeal of worker's comp commission ruling due to lack of jurisdiction
The Agency for Community Transit's (ACT) attempt to have a circuit court's reversal of an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission ruling appealed didn’t get far in the Appellate Court of Illinois for the 5th District because of lack of proper jurisdiction.
Madison County Courthouse unveils Abraham Lincoln portrait
EDWARDSVILLE – A canvas portrait of Abraham Lincoln can now be seen in the lobby of the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville.
East Alton lawyers deny liability after former client loses worker's compensation claim
EDWARDSVILLE – Two East Alton lawyers have responded after a Louisiana man they represented accused them of malpractice in his worker's compensation case against his former employer.
Appeals court affirms Perry County court's decision to reject man's motion to vacate judgment in divorce
Fifth District Appellate Court Justice Richard Goldenhersh affirmed Perry County Circuit Court Judge Daniel J. Emge’s decision to deny a man's amended motion to vacate the corrected judgment concerning the end of his marriage.
J.F. Electric asks court to throw out retaliation suit filed by former employee
A company that is facing retaliation charges has asked the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial Circuit to dismiss the case altogether.