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…
After Apology, Court Allows Defendant to Attend Residential Treatment Program Instead of Detention
By Jordyn Gleaton DUBLIN, CA – Sometimes an apology can go a long way. Despite defendant Robert…
Judge Denies, Under New Law, Prosecutor Request to Extend Probation
By Linhchi Nguyen RIVERSIDE — Judge Joan Burgess from Riverside County Superior Court, Dept. 21, on Friday…
Drug Deal Turned Deadly: Trio Face Trial for Man Killed by Gunfire
By Alex Morgan and Dorrin Akbari SACRAMENTO, CA – Defendants Khali Brown, Cochese Stevens, and Khalil Sabree…
Judge Doesn’t Get ‘Off the Record’ Wish, and His Feared ‘Chaos’ Ensues
By Hongyi Wen FRESNO, CA – A couple of things happened here in Dept. 20 last week—a…
This Week Vanguard Court Watch March 22, 2021 – March 26, 2021
Compiled by Lovepreet Dhinsa The Vanguard is an online news forum that provides coverage of criminal justice…
Man Representing Self in Felony Case Claims No One Will Take on Police
By Kathryn Wood SACRAMENTO, CA – This past Friday afternoon, the accused confidently strode into Sacramento County…
A Rarity: Prosecutor, Defense Agree Mental Competence Report for Defendant ‘Biased’ and ‘Farcical’
By Macy Lu WOODLAND, CA – It’s rare when prosecutors and defense attorneys agree, on the record….
Man Asks Judge for One More Day in Jail after Court Order Stops Mom from Picking Him Up
By Max Kennedy SACRAMENTO, CA — Just minutes before his potential release, defendant Jack Kirkman made an…
Court Requires Veteran Defendant to Enroll in Anger Management Counseling
By Jordyn Gleaton DUBLIN, CA – An Alameda County Superior Court judge denied the district attorney’s request…
Trial Set for Woman Who Shot Boyfriend in Alleged Self-Defense
By Ankita Joshi SACRAMENTO – On March 22, 2021, Defendant Shauna Giffin appeared in Sacramento County Superior…
Despite Victim’s Wishes, Suspect in Car Chase and Attempted Murded Held Without Bail
By Ned Meiners SACRAMENTO – Earlier this month, Ramitesh Kumar allegedly fired a gun at his former…
Plea Deal Off; Defendant Facing Drug Charges Loses Prelim, Has May Trial Date
By Michael Wheeler SACRAMENTO, CA – Despite apparent serious discussions of a deal Friday, defendant Lance Jordan…
‘He Can Sit in Jail’ Rules Exasperated Judge Savage After Slow-Moving Court Negotiations
By Dorrin Akbari SACRAMENTO, CA – Judge Michael Savage—contending that his time was being wasted—gave an ultimatum…
Judge Listens, Overrules Prosecution and Releases Homeless, Health-Challenged Defendant Awaiting Trial Despite History of Missing Court
By Stephanie Boulos YOLO COUNTY- The judge here in Yolo County Superior Court Friday, recognizing a homeless…
Tough Balancing Act for Judges Weighing Jail COVID Risk and Public Safety
By Angel Valdez Ordoñez DUBLIN, CA – As Judge Colin Bowen moved through…
Judge Sets Zero Bail for First Degree Robbery after an Eight-Month Filing Delay
By Katie DaQuino DUBLIN, CA – A filing delay put Alameda County Superior Court in a difficult…