WOODLAND, Calif. — A Yolo County man remains in custody as he faces mounting delays in two overlapping cases, with questions raised Monday over postponed court dates, medical absences, and the inability to post bail, according to Deputy Public Defender Martha Sequeira.
The accused appeared in custody before Judge Tom M. Dyer on Oct. 13, 2025, for hearings in two separate cases. In one, he faces a misdemeanor charge for possession of a controlled substance, and in the other, multiple felony charges including first-degree burglary, petty theft, and disorderly conduct.
Sequeira appeared on behalf of the accused in both cases, while Deputy District Attorney Ashley Harvey represented the prosecution.
Sequeira told the court her client remains in custody because he cannot afford to post bail. She also noted that the accused’s ongoing medical issues have caused missed appearances and further delayed the progression of both cases.
The confirmed bail amounts include $1,000 in the misdemeanor case, established Monday by Judge Dyer, and a preexisting $50,000 tied to the felony charges.
In response, Harvey argued that the current custody and bail conditions should remain unchanged.
The prosecution and on-site probation officer noted that communication with the accused has been limited since his initial release, before he was arrested again on the current misdemeanor charge. The probation department said the accused failed to contact their office after signing his probation agreement earlier in the year. Harvey emphasized that this lapse justified keeping custody and bail conditions as they were.
Despite the defense’s concerns, Judge Dyer agreed to maintain the existing custody and bail provisions. Since the accused cannot afford either bail amount, he is expected to remain in custody as both cases continue through pretrial proceedings.
The court scheduled additional conferences for Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, 2025, at Yolo County Superior Court to coordinate the progress of both cases.
Although the most recent case involves a misdemeanor, the defense emphasized that the accompanying felony charges and higher bail have significantly prolonged decisions in both matters. Sequeira argued that the case reflects how multiple pending charges can intensify the legal and financial strain on people with limited resources.
The hearing also highlighted how personal hardship and procedural complexity intersect in the court process. According to the defense, factors such as medical issues and financial limitations can contribute to ongoing delays.
While maintaining the existing custody conditions aligned with standard procedure, the discussion underscored the court’s broader challenge in balancing accountability with a fair opportunity for defendants to navigate the legal system.
Ultimately, the defense argued that financial limits, overlapping charges, and administrative delays have shaped the accused’s experience in the justice system. The arguments presented in court underscored broader questions about how the courts manage efficiency, public safety, and fairness in individual cases.
