Francisco Sicairos Leon and Miguel Macias Killed, Three Injured in a Semi-truck Accident on Interstate 10 Near Cathedral City, California

“Tip creep” has been a pervasive issue in American culture for some time now. Many businesses, faced with rising costs or insurmountable greed, have increasingly turned to tip encouragement as a means of underpaying their employees while simultaneously being reasonably assured malnutrition will not sap worker productivity. Personally, when faced with a new tip line on the receipt where formerly there was none, sometimes I don’t mind at all, and sometimes I do. A tip for the woman at my local bakery who indulges me as I point out the most desirable Bismarcks behind the glass? Absolutely. She is always nice. On the other hand, a tip for assembling the take-and-bake pizza that I ordered online and already have to cook myself? Boy, that seems like a bit of a stretch. From a tax perspective, it is a better time than ever to be a tipped worker. The “Big, Beautiful Bill” exempts the first $25,000 of a qualifying worker’s annual tips from…

Join us for our newest Justia Webinar, where you’ll get expert analysis on some of the most consequential cases of the Term, as well as the questions the Court has left unanswered. From executive authority and free speech to healthcare and immigration, this Justia Webinar explores the legal shifts reshaping America’s judicial and political landscapes. Professors Amar and Dorf will offer insight into the legal reasoning, ideological divides, and broader impacts of cases that made headlines and those that should have. Some of the cases that we’ll be covering include: How this Term redefined presidential power in Trump v. Wilcox How the Court is (or isn’t) handling controversial cases via the shadow docket Implications for LGBTQ+ rights in U.S. v. Skrmetti And more. Whether you’re following the Court for policy, advocacy, or academic purposes, this Justia Webinar will deepen your understanding of how the highest court in the land is shaping the…

As soon as Donald Trump took office, he made it loud and clear that he was going to go bigly on immigration enforcement. Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, demanded a daily quota of 3,000 immigration-related arrests. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have increased their social media activity. They have switched from posting occasional public service messages to posting arrest numbers and dire warnings of the consequences of illegal entry or overstay on a daily basis. Watching the videos posted on ICE’s social media accounts is like watching an episode of “Cops.” And unlike other government agencies which are getting staff and budget cuts, the Department of Homeland Security is getting $165 billion of additional funding thanks to the recent passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill. The funding will be used to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, build new detention centers, and post…

Criminal defendants expect the legal system to deliver fairness. Our courts are designed to deliver legal compliance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, our state constitution, and the US Constitution, not necessarily fair results or what some facing criminal charges might believe is just or true “justice.” A prosecutor can legally offer a favorable plea to one defendant while demanding jail time for another charged with a very similar offense. Absent obvious discrimination based on protected characteristics or clear constitutional violations, prosecutorial discretion is substantial. Judges can sentence different defendants to vastly different outcomes based on judicial and sentencing philosophy, the timing of the case, or simply how the Court (the Judge) interprets the factual recitation. They, too, possess substantial discretion in entering a judgment and sentencing someone to jail or prison. Continue reading The post Legal But Unfair: Why some people…

How agentic artificial intelligence could shake up the legal industry

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A motorcyclist lost their life in a crash involving a parked truck along S Kirkman Road near Universal Boulevard. The crash occurred when a motorcycle traveling southbound left the roadway and struck the rear of a stationary 2004 Freightliner truck parked on the northbound shoulder. Emergency responders arrived on the scene and pronounced the motorcyclist dead. No additional information is currently available. Public roadways are not where trucks should be parked When we hear about crashes like this one involving a motorcycle and a semi-truck, many people’s first reaction is to think the fault lies solely with the motorcyclist. But this is not always so. Accident reports often place blame on the driver who strikes a parked semi-truck, but in my experience, these cases require closer investigation. The key question is whether the truck should have been parked on the roadside at all. A semi-truck parked in the wrong place can create a serious and…

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a cement truck Friday morning at the intersection of Conklin Street and Main Street. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and provided aid to the pedestrian, who sustained injuries described as serious but not life-threatening. No further information is currently available. Thoughts on Accidents with Large Trucks and Pedestrians According to the National Safety Council (NSC), around 4,600 pedestrians and bicyclists (vehicle nonoccupants) sustained injuries in large-truck crashes in 2023. This high number serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities of truck drivers, particularly in areas such as intersections where pedestrians frequently walk. To determine all the factors that contributed to this incident, we must look beyond the initial police report. Dashcam footage and the truck’s speed and braking data from the black box will provide important information about the events…

HOUSTON, Texas – An 89-year-old man has died from injuries sustained in a crash on the Katy Freeway service road, according to Houston police. The crash happened when a silver Toyota Sienna traveling westbound in the 14200 block suffered a tire blowout. The driver, a 59-year-old man, lost control of the vehicle. Both the driver and the elderly passenger were transported to nearby hospitals. The passenger died weeks later at Ben Taub Hospital. No further information is currently available. The van’s tire must be examined for possible defects We all trust that the vehicles we drive are safe. We use them to run errands, visit loved ones, and get where we need to go every day. Every part—engine, transmission, tires—should function properly and safely. But what happens when a hidden defect makes a vehicle unsafe, and someone is seriously injured or killed? Unfortunately, we see this happen far too often. Not all tire blowouts are due to poor maintenance or…

As generative AI tools become embedded into consumer search habits, the digital playing field for lawyers is shifting fast. AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google Gemini increasingly recommend attorneys based on a mix of online profiles, website content, and reputation signals. Join Justia CEO Tim Stanley in this exclusive CLE webinar to learn how to align your digital presence with the criteria these AI models use, so you and your law firm are more likely to be surfaced in search results and client-facing responses. Register now for this CLE webinar → What You’ll Learn In this session, you’ll gain actionable insight into how AI models assess and surface law firm content, and what specific steps you can take to optimize your presence across key platforms. Topics include: Optimizing Law Firm Profiles Learn how to update and align your law firm’s listings across directories (Justia, Avvo, Yelp, etc.), business pages, and social platforms to increase your…

CATHEDRAL CITY, California – Dos hombres murieron y tres personas más resultaron heridas cuando un tráiler se desvió hacia el tráfico en sentido contrario en la Interestatal 10, cerca de Date Palm Drive, y chocó con varios vehículos. El accidente ocurrió la mañana del jueves. Las víctimas fueron identificadas como Francisco Sicairos Leon, de 58 años y residente de Desert Hot Springs, y Miguel Macias, de 49 años y originario de Santa Ana. Las autoridades confirmaron que ambos hombres murieron en el lugar del accidente. La Patrulla de Caminos de California informó que tres personas más sufrieron lesiones graves en la colisión. Las familias sobrevivientes y los heridos merecen respuestas, justicia y rendición de cuentas Es muy doloroso cuando un accidente termina en muertes, especialmente cuando hay varias víctimas. Los choques frontales son especialmente graves…

Investor Lawsuit Investigation – Dean S. Dellas The White Law Group is investigating potential securities fraud claims involving Dean Speros Dellas (CRD#: 5596286), following a civil complaint filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) alleging a fraudulent scheme involving more than $690,000 in client funds. According to his BrokerCheck report, Dellas was previously affiliated with T3 Trading Group, LLC, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, and Merrill Lynch. He has two disclosures on his record, including a pending civil action and a past employment separation involving failure to disclose a reportable event. CFTC Fraud Allegations – Misappropriation of Client Funds In May 2025, the CFTC filed a civil complaint alleging that from February 2021 to November 2023, Dean Dellas and his advisory firm DSD Capital Management LLC misappropriated more than $690,000 from two clients: a 61-year-old man and his 91-year-old mother. Dellas reportedly convinced the son to…

Security Failure? Michael Freeman Shooting Greenville.  We have over 25 years of experience representing victims of security failures across the United States, and we have recovered nearly $250 million dollars for our Clients.  Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available to the family of Michael Freeman. Michael Freeman Greenville, SC Apartment Complex Shooting. (FoxCarolina.com) Greenville, SC – Gunfire rang out at an apartment complex early Saturday morning, July 12, 2025, leaving one man dead. As reported by FoxCarolina.com, “[d]eputies responded to a call from [apartments] on Furman Hall Road around 2 a.m. Saturday morning.” WJCL.com is reporting, “[w]hen deputies arrived, they found a man in the roadway who had been shot. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Michael Maurice Freeman.” This complex has seen it share of violent activity according to FoxCarolina.com,…

Press Release: San Bernardino, CA – July 1, 2025 — In a major legal victory for consumers, the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, has officially certified a class action lawsuit against National General Insurance Company. This ruling paves the way for potentially thousands of policyholders to seek justice over what plaintiffs allege were systemic bad faith insurance practices. The lawsuit, originally filed by the Law Offices of Justin H. King, accuses National General of using a flawed digital application process to retroactively deny auto insurance claims. According to the complaint, the insurer rescinded coverage by asserting that policyholders failed to disclose all household members over the age of 14, despite the fact that applicants were allegedly blocked from entering such information into the company’s broker-controlled, automated system. “This is a huge win for consumers who were misled, mistreated, and…

The romance between Texas bankruptcy judge David R. Jones and Biglaw partner Elizabeth Freeman has birthed some intense controversy that remains ongoing. See, Jones, the (now former) federal bankruptcy judge, somehow didn’t recuse himself from cases involving Freeman, the (now former) partner at Jackson Walker. As a result, Jones resigned and the Department of Justice sued Freeman’s former firm to try to disgorge up to $23 million in fees it collected in the 33 cases overseen by Jones while he was involved with Freeman and alleging the firm breached its ethical duties by not disclosing the relationship. Jackson Walker insists it acted properly upon learning of the relationship. Now it looks like that case is headed to trial. Jackson Walker and the US Trustee’s office were in mediation in an attempt to resolve the matter. Yesterday, July 15th at 5 p.m., was the deadline Judge Alia Moses imposed on the mediation attempt.…

Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by: Christopher J. Baione Key Takeaways Scientific research has shown a connection between exposure to toxic dust and debris from the September 11th attacks and the development of autoimmune diseases. A 2015 study identified rheumatoid arthritis as the most common autoimmune condition among those exposed, accounting for 37% of cases.  A 2019 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology confirmed these findings and included both first responders and members of the general community. No. However, scientific research has shown a connection between exposure to toxic dust and debris from the September 11th attacks and the development of autoimmune diseases. A 2015 study identified rheumatoid arthritis as the most common autoimmune condition among those exposed,…

Matthew A. Shapiro (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Rutgers Law School) has posted Civil Procedure's Partial Rule of Law on SSRN. Here is the abstract: With the rule of law widely thought to be experiencing a “crisis,” the institution of civil litigation has come under renewed scrutiny. Recent developments have led some commentators to portray litigation as not just a victim, but an agent, of the rule-of-law crisis. At the same time, even as some notable instances of litigation appear to have threatened the rule of law, others have seemingly vindicated it, reinforcing a longstanding association between the institution and the ideal. This Article seeks to account for civil litigation’s ambiguous relationship with the rule of law. The ambiguity, this Article contends, owes to a more fundamental, yet underappreciated, equivocation in our understandings of both litigation and the rule of law regarding the commitment to impartiality in law…

A felony theft charge in California involves unlawfully taking someone else’s property valued over $950 or stealing certain items like firearms or vehicles, regardless of their value. It is considered a serious crime and can lead to jail or prison time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. If you are facing a felony theft charge, a skilled California theft crimes attorney can protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome. They can examine the evidence, challenge illegal searches or weak witness claims, and argue that you lacked criminal intent or had permission to take the property. An experienced lawyer may also negotiate to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor or seek alternatives to jail. With the right defense, you have a better chance of protecting your freedom and future. Get A Free Consultation Elements of a Felony Theft Charge in California In California, felony theft is a serious crime that can lead to jail or prison time, fines, and a permanent…

 Pix Credit here Latin America is as varied as its peoples. What they appear to share in common is adaptation to the substantial changes in the forms, cultures, and cognitive cages within which the United States seeks to deal with its Hispano-Lusitanian-Indigenous neighbors. Senator Henry ClayThat very American cognitive cage, sometimes referenced as America(s) First, posits a normative triumph of the transactional. That is, it returns the United States to a political-cultural position closer to that of the middle of the 19th century--markets driven, trading focused, and grounded on the notion that the State served the nation best as a large and multi-purpose Import-Export Bank and insurance enterprise, one that included a military wing for the protection of a trading environment centered in the nation but extending outward through investment transactions and transactions in goods and services, that serves the nation by creating wealth. Americans (at least the…