Alaska Court of Appeals decisions on criminal cases, plea agreements, jury instructions, and other appellate matters affecting Alaska residents.
courts.alaska.gov/courts/coa.htm ↗
Boney Memorial Courthouse, 303 K St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Alaska Court of Appeals rules 2013 sex-offense sentencing law can't be applied to earlier crimes
Alaska Court of Appeals rules in Collins v. State that a 2013 law limiting sentencing panel referrals for sex offenses can't apply retroactively under the ex post facto clause.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Alaska must appoint lawyers for people jailed on other states' warrants, appeals court rules
Alaska Court of Appeals rules people held on out-of-state extradition warrants have a right to appointed counsel in habeas cases; McNeely case returns to Kenai.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read
An appeals court reopens a McLaughlin Youth Center abuse conviction
The Alaska Court of Appeals withdrew its ruling upholding a former McLaughlin Youth Center officer's abuse conviction, ordering a hearing on withheld records.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
State to drop Whittier voter misconduct cases after appeals ruling
Alaska will dismiss voter misconduct prosecutions against Whittier residents after an appeals court found the grand jury got the wrong definition of intent.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read
Alaska prosecutors must prove a voter knew a registration form was false
The Alaska Court of Appeals held Friday that first-degree voter misconduct based on a false sworn statement requires proof the defendant acted with a consciousness of wrongdoing.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Court upholds detention for teen who killed another boy, even at low risk
The Alaska Court of Appeals upheld detention for a 14-year-old who fatally stabbed another teen, ruling judges may weigh the seriousness of the crime, not just future risk.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
The state made a plea deal, then broke it. A court just said no.
The Alaska Court of Appeals ordered a Point Hope man resentenced after a substitute prosecutor broke his plea agreement by arguing for the maximum sentence instead of the agreed term.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska appeals court identifies DUI jury instruction tension in Homer case
The Alaska Court of Appeals affirmed a Homer man's DUI conviction Thursday but directed the Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee to fix a conflict in standard instructions that could deny defendants their statutory right to raise a post-driving drinking defense statewide.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Federal judge blocks removal of petitioner from Alaska in Alebw case
Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason issued an amended temporary restraining order Wednesday blocking the removal of a petitioner from Alaska, keeping the individual in the state while the court considers the underlying dispute.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Alaska judicial watchdog names new director after 37 years
The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct appointed Michael Schwaiger as executive director effective June 15, replacing Marla Greenstein after her 37-year tenure at the state's judicial ethics oversight agency.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Palmer Courthouse finally gets funding for long-needed expansion
The Alaska Court System is moving forward with a $4.95 million expansion to address growing judicial demand in the state's fastest-growing borough, with bids due May 25 and construction starting by mid-August—a concrete response to Mat-Su's population pressures that larger outlets haven't covered at the procurement stage.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read