probable cause

SF Judge Denies Suppression Motion Despite Officer’s Contradictory Account

By Camellia Dehdashti, Sophie Lem, Alec Roderick, Auriany SaavedraJuly 10, 20260 comments

San Francisco Superior Court Judge John Echeverria denied a defense motion to suppress evidence, determining the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to hold the accused to answer on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine for sale. The ruling followed a preliminary hearing where the defense contended a lack of probable cause for the search.

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Court Watch: Defense Challenges Probable Cause in Online Threat Arrest

By Kailyn StandiferMay 20, 20260 comments

During an arraignment hearing in Yolo County Superior Court, Deputy Public Defender Martha Sequeira challenged the sufficiency of probable cause for the detention of an individual accused of felony criminal threats online, drug possession, and related enhancements. Sequeira contended that the prosecution failed to establish the online account’s ownership and argued that arresting officers lacked adequate probable cause for the initial arrest. While Deputy District Attorney Alvina Tzang asserted that witness testimony sufficiently identified the accused as the account owner, Judge Danette C. Brown determined the accused did not pose a public danger, subsequently issuing a stay-away order protecting the victim. Bail considerations were deferred to a subsequent hearing.

Court Watch: Defense Challenges Buy-Bust Arrest in Preliminary Hearing

By SF InternsJuly 31, 20250 comments

During a preliminary hearing in San Francisco Superior Court, Judge Simon J. Frankel determined there was enough evidence to move forward in the case of a man facing felony charges for possession for sale of a controlled substance, despite the defense’s argument that there was no probable cause for the arrest and search.