Vermont Case Commentaries

“Presence-by-Surrender” and Elements-vs.-Theory Clarified in Vermont Assault-and-Robbery Law: Commentary on State v. Diaz, 2025 VT 58

Date: Oct 30, 2025

“Presence-by-Surrender” and Elements-vs.-Theory Clarified in Vermont Assault-and-Robbery Law Commentary on State v. Damien Diaz, 2025 VT 58 (Vt. Oct. 24, 2025) Introduction In State v. Diaz, the...

Two Edge Departures in 18 Seconds: Vermont Clarifies Reasonable Suspicion for DUI Stops on Unmarked Roads

Date: Oct 19, 2025

Two Edge Departures in 18 Seconds: Vermont Clarifies Reasonable Suspicion for DUI Stops on Unmarked Roads Introduction In State v. Karen Norton, 2025 VT 56, the Vermont Supreme Court addressed when...

Stagnation, Child-Centric Timing, and Appellate Civility Reaffirmed in Vermont TPR Appeals: In re A.C. (Vt. 2025)

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Stagnation, Child-Centric Timing, and Appellate Civility Reaffirmed in Vermont TPR Appeals: In re A.C. (Vt. 2025) Note on precedential value: This is an entry order of a three-justice panel of the...

Termination Need Not Await Permanent Placement: Past Conduct Can Establish Inability to Parent Within a Reasonable Time

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Termination Need Not Await Permanent Placement: Past Conduct Can Establish Inability to Parent Within a Reasonable Time Case: In re A.S., W.S., A.S., M.S., and A.S., Juveniles (A.S., Father) Court:...

Stagnation Reaffirmed: Partial Case‑Plan Compliance Does Not Bar Termination Where Domestic‑Violence Accountability and Consistent Contact Are Lacking

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Stagnation Reaffirmed: Partial Case‑Plan Compliance Does Not Bar Termination Where Domestic‑Violence Accountability and Consistent Contact Are Lacking Case: In re K.L., Juvenile (J.G., Father), No....

Vermont TPR Clarified: No Comparative “Foster Parent vs. Parent” Balancing, Relative Placement Irrelevant at TPR, and Appellants Must Cure Transcript Defects

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Vermont TPR Clarified: No Comparative “Foster Parent vs. Parent” Balancing, Relative Placement Irrelevant at TPR, and Appellants Must Cure Transcript Defects Case: In re K.L. and M.L., Juveniles,...

Immediate Clarification Controls: Vermont Affirms Written Mittimus Where Court Corrects Oral Misstatement; Record-as-a-Whole Satisfies Rule 11(f)

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Immediate Clarification Controls: Vermont Affirms Written Mittimus Where Court Corrects Oral Misstatement; Record-as-a-Whole Satisfies Rule 11(f) Case: State v. Christopher Cochran, No. 24-AP-281...

Lay Authentication of Home‑Security Footage and Non‑Incidental Restraint Confirmed: State v. Stevens (Vt. 2025)

Date: Oct 10, 2025

Lay Authentication of Home‑Security Footage and Non‑Incidental Restraint Confirmed: State v. Stevens (Vt. 2025) Note: This is a three‑justice entry order of the Vermont Supreme Court and, under...

Fixing the Real Party in Interest at Filing and Limiting Rule 41(b) Dismissals: Vermont Supreme Court Clarifies Rule 17(a)/Rule 25(c) Framework in Ditech Financial LLC v. Brisson (2025 VT 54)

Date: Sep 20, 2025

Fixing the Real Party in Interest at Filing and Limiting Rule 41(b) Dismissals: Vermont Supreme Court Clarifies Rule 17(a)/Rule 25(c) Framework in Ditech Financial LLC v. Brisson (2025 VT 54)...

No State Appeal From Single‑Justice Bail Decisions: Vermont Supreme Court Limits § 7556(c) to Trial-Court Orders in State v. Beldiman (2025 VT 55)

Date: Sep 13, 2025

No State Appeal From Single‑Justice Bail Decisions: Vermont Supreme Court Limits § 7556(c) to Trial-Court Orders Case: State v. Nicolae Beldiman, 2025 VT 55 (Vt. Sept. 12, 2025) Court: Supreme Court...

General Standards and Annual Guidance Suffice for Vermont Hospital Budget Oversight; No Per‑Capita Mandate Under 18 V.S.A. § 9372

Date: Sep 13, 2025

General Standards and Annual Guidance Suffice for Vermont Hospital Budget Oversight; No Per‑Capita Mandate Under 18 V.S.A. § 9372 Introduction This commentary examines the Vermont Supreme Court’s...

Reliability Without Revealing the Algorithm: Vermont Affirms V.R.E. 702 Admission of Proprietary Practice-Valuation Methods and Discounts Professional Goodwill Absent a Noncompete

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Reliability Without Revealing the Algorithm: Vermont Affirms V.R.E. 702 Admission of Proprietary Practice-Valuation Methods and Discounts Professional Goodwill Absent a Noncompete Introduction In...

Deviation Over Threshold: Vermont Affirms Zero‑Support/Private‑School‑Tuition Arrangement and Time‑Bars Post‑Judgment Child Tax Credit Reallocation

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Deviation Over Threshold: Vermont Affirms Zero‑Support/Private‑School‑Tuition Arrangement and Time‑Bars Post‑Judgment Child Tax Credit Reallocation Case: Catherine Hutchings v. Justin Bramhall...

Vermont Reaffirms the Narrow Scope of Sentence Reconsideration: No Hearing or COVID-Specific Findings Required

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Vermont Reaffirms the Narrow Scope of Sentence Reconsideration: No Hearing or COVID-Specific Findings Required Introduction In State v. Walter Taylor, III (Vt. Sept. 5, 2025), a three-justice panel...

State v. Prue: Vermont Supreme Court Reaffirms That a Guilty Plea Requires a Personal, Theory‑Specific Factual Basis Under Rule 11(f), Reviewed Under Bridger on Direct Appeal

Date: Sep 6, 2025

State v. Prue: Vermont Supreme Court Reaffirms That a Guilty Plea Requires a Personal, Theory‑Specific Factual Basis Under Rule 11(f), Reviewed Under Bridger on Direct Appeal Court: Vermont Supreme...

CHINS-B Reversal Does Not Preclude DCF Physical-Abuse Substantiation: Distinct Causes and Issues Clarified by the Vermont Supreme Court

Date: Sep 6, 2025

CHINS-B Reversal Does Not Preclude DCF Physical-Abuse Substantiation: Distinct Causes and Issues Clarified by the Vermont Supreme Court Note on precedential weight: This was an entry order by a...

Adequate Findings Over Form: Vermont Supreme Court Affirms Termination Without a Standalone “Stagnation” Section and Confirms Waiver of Child-Testimony Claim

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Adequate Findings Over Form: Vermont Supreme Court Affirms Termination Without a Standalone “Stagnation” Section and Confirms Waiver of Child-Testimony Claim Introduction This commentary examines the...

Qualified Immunity Shields Police in Landlord–Tenant Disputes When Abandonment Under 9 V.S.A. § 4462 Is Not Clearly Established

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Qualified Immunity Shields Police in Landlord–Tenant Disputes When Abandonment Under 9 V.S.A. § 4462 Is Not Clearly Established Court: Supreme Court of Vermont (Three-Justice Panel Entry Order) Case:...

No Immunity Without Compliance: Vermont Affirms Tow-Company Duty of Care and Sufficiency of Owner Testimony for Missing Vehicle Contents

Date: Sep 6, 2025

No Immunity Without Compliance: Vermont Affirms Tow-Company Duty of Care and Sufficiency of Owner Testimony for Missing Vehicle Contents Grey Barreda v. Handy's Service Center, Vermont Supreme Court,...

Easements Run With the Dominant Estate They Are Granted To: No Expansion to After-Acquired Parcels Absent Express Grant or Necessity

Date: Sep 6, 2025

Easements Run With the Dominant Estate They Are Granted To: No Expansion to After-Acquired Parcels Absent Express Grant or Necessity Introduction This commentary examines the Vermont Supreme Court’s...