In a complicated case involving parallel state and federal investigations, multiple warrant applications, two criminal prosecutions, two suppression rulings, and a direct criminal appeal, the Seventh Circuit affirmed an order of the trial court denying the plaintiff’s motion to vacate his convictions for transporting and possessing child pornography. In its opinion, the Seventh Circuit noted that where there are parallel state and federal prosecutions this creates difficult legal scenarios with regard to the implications of one court's rulings on the parallel case, but that under the facts of this case it was not necessary for the court to take a position as to when a federal official is obligated to inform a federal court of the judicial ruling of a coordinate court. (WOOD and ST. EVE, concurring)
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Criminal Court
Concurrent Jurisdiction