"The judge in a criminal jury trial plays a variety of important roles, including:

Presiding over the trial: The judge is responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom and ensuring that the trial proceeds fairly. This includes making rulings on evidentiary objections, instructing the jury on the law, and ensuring that both the prosecution and defense have a fair opportunity to pr... More...    $0 (02-05-2020 - AK)

Fairbanks, Alaska criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with conspiracy, bank and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.

According to court documents, Jared Post, 25, and Levi Skulstad, 26, defrauded multiple banks and individuals they viewed as vulnerable to scams between 2017 and 2021, obtaining at least $500,000. Post and Skulstad contacted individu... More...    $0 (06-28-2022 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska felony firearm possession charge criminal defense lawyer represented Justine J. Seley, age 36, with bing in possession of a registered firearm by an unregistered person.

According to court documents, on October 23, 2018, Seley possessed 7 rifles, 2 handguns and a receiver. All firearms were seized. One of the seized firearms was a short barreled DSA ZM4 .300 caliber ... More...    $0 (10-29-2020 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with felony gun possession.

John-Rexie Lagman, 23, of Anchorage was with illegally possessing a firearm within a designated school zone.

On July 2, 2019, two teenagers involved in a social medial dispute planned to fight at Williwaw Elementary School, recruiting friends to join them. The dispute turned viole... More...    $0 (09-29-2020 - AK)

We must decide whether an Alaska law regulating campaign contributions violates the First Amendment. At issue are Alaska’s limit on contributions made by individuals to candidates, its limit on contributions made by individuals to election-related groups, its limit on political party-to-candidate contributions, and its limit on the total funds a candidate may receive from out-of-state residents. T... More...    $0 (11-29-2018 - AK)

Wells’ convictions arise out of the deaths of Richard W. Belisle and James A. Hopkins, federal employees and Wells’ co-workers at the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) antenna maintenance facility, located at the USCG Communication Station (“COMMSTA”) on Kodiak Island, Alaska. COMMSTA consists of two main buildings: a large operations center, known as T1; and the antenna maintenance facility, or ... More...    $0 (12-21-2017 - AK)

Defendant-Appellant James Michael Wells (“Wells”) appeals from his jury trial convictions for two counts of First Degree Murder, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1111(a), (b); two counts of Murder of a Federal Employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1111; and two counts of Use of a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924 (c), (j). Wells was se... More...    $0 (12-20-2017 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Sisters Sentenced for Embezzlement from Indian Tribal Government

Sylvia Toolie, 60, and her sister, Peggy Akeya, 57, of Savoonga, Alaska, were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess for embezzling funds from the Native Village of Savoonga (“Native Village of Savoonga” or “the Tribe”), which is located on St. Lawrence Island.

Toolie was sentenced... More...    $0 (09-17-2017 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Anchorage Plastic Surgeon sentenced to prison for wire fraud and tax evasion

Defendant concealed bank accounts in Panama and Costa Rica from the IRS

An Anchorage plastic surgeon was sentenced to 48 months in prison for wire fraud and tax evasion.

Dr. Michael D. Brandner, 67, of Anchorage, Alaska, was convicted by a federal jury in November 2015 of four co... More...    $0 (05-06-2016 - AK)

Michigan Man Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft By Using Fake Charitable Organizations.

U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that a Michigan man was sentenced in Federal Court in Anchorage for making numerous false statements, identity theft and engaging in a scheme to operate fake charitable organizations.

Alan Michael Bartlett, 46, of O... More...    $0 (10-20-2015 - AK)

Bethel, AK - Angelina Trailov and Mary Kenick sued Allstate Insurance Company and Kathy Berry on bad faith breach of contract theories claiming that the defendants improperly handled Plaintiffs' claims.

Trailov was 15-years-old at the time of the accident. She suffered a skull fracture, a punctured lung and other permanent injuries.

Court Docket Entries:

12/13/2004 08... More...    $17000000 (09-23-2015 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Michigan Man Convicted Of Fraud And Aggravated identity Theft For Using Fake Charitable Organizations

A Michigan man was convicted by a jury of making numerous false statements, identity theft, and engaging in a scheme to operate fake charitable organizations. Alan Michael Bartlett, 46, from Owosso, Michigan, was found guilty of two counts of mail fraud, 20 counts of bank... More...    $0 (07-28-2015 - AK)

This appeal arises from a declaratory action filed by an insurer to clarify the terms of its duties under a policy. The underlying tort action resulted from a car accident in which the insured, while driving a rental truck, hit a person who was lying in the middle of the road. Both the driver and the person struck were intoxicated, as was a passenger in the truck. The person who was struck died fr... More...    $0 (01-25-2013 - AK)

Jason Coday shot and killed Simone Kim with a rifle obtained from Ray Coxe’s gun store. Kim’s Estate (the Estate) brought a wrongful death action against Coxe, alleging that Coxe negligently or illegally provided Coday the rifle. Coxe defended in part by asserting immunity under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The Estate argued against applying the PLCAA and alternativel... More...    $0 (02-22-2013 - ak)

In December 2008 Michael Cooper caused a car accident that injured Samuel Thompson. Thompson sued Cooper and Cooper’s employer for compensatory and punitive damages. The jury returned a verdict for Thompson for compensatory damages, but not for punitive damages. The parties appeal rulings on evidentiary issues, jury instructions, and denied motions. We affirm most of the superior court’s rulin... More...    $0 (09-28-2012 - AK)

A healthcare worker was sprayed in the eye with fluids from an HIV-positive patient. She received preventive treatment and counseling. Her employer initially paid workers’ compensation benefits; it later filed a controversion based on its doctor’s opinion that the employee was able to return to work. The employee asked for more benefits, but the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board denied her ... More...    $0 (07-20-2012 - AK)

Bobbie Ann Hunter and Shaun T. Conwell had two sons before separating, S.C. and A.C.1 Conwell filed a complaint for custody in 2006 but Hunter did not respond. The superior court granted Conwell sole legal and primary physical custody of the boys in a 2006 default judgment. Nearly two years later Hunter, acting pro se, sought modification of custody. The superior court denied Hunter’s motion wit... More...    $0 (04-13-2012 - AK)

Advanced Physical Therapy (APT) terminated the employment of Patricia Hoendermis (“Pattiâ€�), the clinic’s practice administrator, for an inability to communicate with her co-workers and supervisor. Hoendermis sued APT for wrongful termination and failure to provide overtime compensation. The superior court granted APT summary judgment on both claims. Hoendermis appeals. We reverse the grants ... More...    $0 (04-29-2011 - AK)

A property owner leased gravel mining rights to a lessee. The lessee in turn leased its rights to a sublessee. The sublessee assumed the lessee’s duty to pay royalties to the property owner and agreed to pay overriding royalties to the lessee. The lessee later assigned the overriding royalties to an assignee. After more than a decade of operating under these arrangements, the sublessee purchased... More...    $0 (10-30-2009 - AK)

Consumers seeking to bring a class action alleged that four auto dealerships failed to make statutorily mandated disclosures when selling used vehicles. Two of the dealerships moved to dismiss the complaint against them because the consumers had not specifically alleged that class representatives purchased vehicles at those dealerships. The superior court dismissed the consumers’ claims against ... More...    $0 (07-10-2009 - AK)

Petitioners are six organizations that support environmental conservation, indigenous communities, and wildlife populations of Northern Alaska. They challenge the Minerals Management Service’s (“MMSâ€�) approval of an exploration plan submitted by Shell Offshore Inc. (“Shellâ€�). Shell seeks to drill multiple offshore exploratory oil wells over a three-year period in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea... More...    $0 (11-21-2008 - AK)

Gary Jarvill alleges that a design defect in the boat he purchased from Porky’s Equipment, Inc. caused it to sink in its harbor slip less than three years after purchase. Jarvill appeals the superior court’s ruling that the statute of limitations bars his product defect and negligence claims. Because the evidence fails to support the trial court’s finding that Jarvill’s cause of action acc... More...    $0 (08-22-2008 - AK)

This appeal arises from a car accident on Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage in which Dora Noffke's vehicle struck a car driven by Jose Perez. A jury awarded Jose Perez $24,000 and passenger Neyda Perez $54,000 for past and future damages, and Dora Noffke appeals several decisions of the superior court. Noffke argues that the superior court erred by excluding certain medical records exhibits,... More...    $0 (12-28-2007 - AK)

Plunk appeals from the district court's Amended Final Decree of Forfeiture. The court awarded Plunk compensation in lieu of property to be returned under 28 U.S.C. § 2465 and calculated the amount due to Plunk based on the sale proceeds of the property. The court denied Plunk any additional compensation for consequential damages related to the seizure and forfeiture of the property, and... More...    $0 (12-27-2007 - AK)

Virginia Hudson sued Dr. Michael Brandner for negligence and assault based on an encounter in July 2002 that occurred at Alaska Regional Hospital, where both Hudson and Dr. Brandner worked. Hudson sought compensatory and punitive damages, claiming that a knee injury and emotional distress resulted from an incident in which Dr. Brandner dragged her down a hallway and pushed her into her off... More...    $115828 (11-13-2007 - AK)

A mental health unit patient, T.C. Greywolf, was arrested at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and discharged to Fairbanks Correctional Center on a charge of felony assault in the third degree because she had allegedly threatened to harm her psychiatrist, Dr. William Carroll. After Greywolf was acquitted in her criminal trial, she filed charges against Dr. Carroll for (1) malicious prosecution;... More...    $0 (01-17-2007 - AK)

Troy Keturi appeals several legal and factual findings made by the standing master and adopted by the superior court in connection with his divorce trial. W e conclude that the superior court did not err in aggregating his past income for child support purposes, in finding that his earning potential would not be adversely affected by his physical condition in the immediate future, in charac... More...    $0 (02-15-2004 - AK)

Troy Keturi appeals several legal and factual findings made by the standing master and adopted by the superior court in connection with his divorce trial. W e conclude that the superior court did not err in aggregating his past income for child support purposes, in finding that his earning potential would not be adversely affected by his physical condition in the immediate future, in charac... More...    $0 (02-02-2004 - AK)

We are asked here to consider whether the City of Homer's city manager could properly claim the deliberative process privilege to deny public access to staff documents that he used in preparing a petition for annexation that the city filed with the Alaska Local Boundary Commission. Because the record shows that the public's interest in having access to these documents outweighs the city's in... More...    $0 (08-15-2003 - AK)

In 1994 Richard Halford sold Robert Yates real property consisting of a lodge and some seventy-four acres located near the Denali Highway. The sale was accomplished under an "Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate and Personal Property." The purchase price was $320,000, payable by means of a $6,000 deposit upon execution of the agreement, $34,000 cash at closing, and the remainder o... More...    $0 (07-18-2003 - AK)

Sherie Crosby appeals from a judgment denying her claim for the wrongful death of her fifteen-year-old son, who was fatally injured in an accident while driving a friend's mother's car. Crosby alleged that her son's friend committed negligence per se by permitting an unlicensed person to drive in violation of AS 28.15.281(b). Crosby argues that the trial court erred by instructing the jury to c... More...    $0 (02-13-2003 - AK)

Dr. David K. Spindle appeals from the decision of the superior court granting summary judgment to Drs. Louis Kralick and John C. Godersky as well as th eir business Anchorage Neurosurgical Associates, Inc. and Sisters of Mercy Providence Hospital, Inc. on Dr. Spindle's claims arising from his failure to obtain privileges at Providence Hospital. Because the superior court correctly found that D... More...    $0 (12-20-2002 - AK)

Samissa Anchorage, Inc. (d/b/a North Star Hospital or North Star) provided psychiatric services to state Medicaid patients between 1993 and 1996. North Star challenged the 1993, 1994, and 1995 Medicaid reimbursement rates of the Department of Health and Social Services (the department) in one administrative claim and challenged the 1996 rate in another.1 North Star ultimately appealed both cha... More...    $0 (10-25-2002 - AK)

Heidi Wold was killed while riding in a pick-up that rolled over after its driver, Koby Smith, swerved to avoid an on-coming car; the on-coming car kept driving and was never identified. Heidi's estate and her parents settled with Smith's insurer; Heidi's mother, Cynthia, then claimed benefits - both individually and as personal representative of Heidi's estate - from Progressive Preferred ... More...    $0 (08-02-2002 - AK)

Alaska Statute 08.18.151 bars a contractor from suing for compensation unless the contractor either met or was in substantial compliance with the contractor registration requirements when the contract was formed. Because there are genuine, material fact disputes about whether John McCormick substantially complied with these requirements when he contracted to perform services on a public works ... More...    $0 (05-10-2002 - AK)

Michael and Cynthia Lamb sued John’s Heating Service claiming that John’s Heating negligently failed to repair their furnace or to warn the Lambs of its dangerous condition. John’s Heating raised a statute of limitations defense that the trial court precluded in a summary judgment order. The trial court also rejected John’s Heating’s pretrial challenge to the admi... More...    $1625000 (05-10-2002 - AK)

1. DeAnn Tolan and Gary Kimball began dating in 1989. In April 1990 Tolan purchased, with the title issued in her name only, a single-family house on Ruth Drive in Wasilla. According to Kimball, the Ruth Drive house was purchased with the intention that Tolan and Kimball would share the home; accordingly he gave Tolan approximately $3,600 toward the down payment and closing costs of the ... More...    $0 (10-19-2001 - AK)