Dirty Politics: Trump Supporter Accused of Pepper Spraying Neighbors Over Political Views
By Alexander Ramirez WOODLAND – The dirty side of personal politics—mirroring the divisions in the U.S. today—reared…
Public Defender Presents Spirited Defense in Contentious Preliminary Hearing; Close Call, but Judge Rules against Defendant
By Michael Wheeler SACRAMENTO, CA —A typical preliminary hearing quickly turned contentious this week in Sacramento County…
DUI Manslaughter Defendant Holds Back Tears as Prosecutor Reads Heartfelt Letter from Victim’s Family
By Roselyn Poommai SACRAMENTO, CA – “Unfortunately, forgiveness does not equal immediate pain relief, especially when dealing…
Judge Balances Veteran’s Mental Health and Public Safety
By Alexander Jimenez DUBLIN, CA – After lengthy argument here in Alameda County Superior Court this last…
The Vanguard Week in Review: Court Watch (April 12 to April 16, 2021)
The Davis Vanguard is an online news forum that provides coverage of criminal justice reform and courts…
Attorneys Forced to Yell Questions Across the Room for Hard-of-Hearing Witness
By Dorrin Akbari SACRAMENTO, CA — The hard-of-hearing victim of a felony burglary provided testimony at defendant…
Judge Greatly Concerned for Elderly Victim’s Safety, Denies Bail for Defendant
By Roselyn Poommai and Hongyi Wen SACRAMENTO, CA – “There’s no amount of monitoring that would protect…
Court Doesn’t Require Bail, but Really Doesn’t Want Defendant Driving before Trial after ‘Wrong Way’ Driving Causes Accident
By Jordyn Gleaton DUBLIN, CA – The judge here in Dept 702 of Alameda County Superior Court…
Felony Charge Dropped for Misdemeanor ‘Wet Reckless’ Count Thanks to Positive Behavior of Defendant
By Ramneet Singh WOODLAND, CA – It’s not always the case, but Friday in Dept. 11 in…
Grieving Family of One-Year-Old Victim Criticizes DA Office Negligence in Sentencing
By Esha Kher SACRAMENTO, CA – It was a very emotional sentencing hearing at Sacramento County Superior…
Murder Suspect Openly Admits to Killing Two and Attacking Two Others
By Dorrin Akbari SACRAMENTO, CA — Defense attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld looked on helplessly as his client, Martin…
Defendant Accepts Deal; Judge Imposes Strict Release Conditions before Sentencing, after Seeing Man’s Violent History
By Derrick Pal SACRAMENTO, CA – A judge in Sacramento County Superior Court here showed little hesitation…
Prosecutor Admits Defendant Mental Illness, but Stalls Decision to Find Him Help as Law Provides
By Ned Meiners SACRAMENTO, CA – Deputy District Attorney Ryan Roebuck said Wednesday here in Sacramento County…
Not Every Day Occurrence; Court Sends 3 Defendants Home without Bail
By Koda Slingluff SACRAMENTO, CA – It’s not every day that a judge gets to send a…
Defendant Denied Reduced Charges after Accused of Kidnapping, Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend
By Ankita Joshi SACRAMENTO, CA – A judge here in Sacramento County Superior Court this week refused…
Two Convicted Defendants Have ‘Wants’ from Court before Sentencing
By Michael Wheeler SACRAMENTO, CA – At two sentencings here in Sacramento County Superior Court this week,…
Defense Insists Defendant Is Good Guy – Prosecution Counters He’s ‘Repeat’ Domestic Violence Offender
By Roselyn Poommai SACRAMENTO, CA – Assistant Public Defender Sameera Ali suggested at a preliminary hearing here…
Defendant Flips Out over Misunderstanding, Then Apologizes to Court When Realizes Case Dismissed
By Derrick Pal WOODLAND, CA — A defendant’s failure to understand he won and was being released…
Nothing’s Easy – Defendant Accepts Deal for Illegal Firearm Possession
By Ramneet Singh SACRAMENTO, CA – Usually, even a plea agreement—when compared to a jury or bench…
Jury Trial Ends in Deadlock after Victim States, ‘I Don’t Remember Him. You Got the Wrong Guy’
By Linhchi Nguyen RIVERSIDE, CA – After four hours, the jury hopelessly deadlocked on all but one…
