Martin Moulton, a nudism activist, had all charges against him dismissed by a San Francisco court after he was arrested for public indecency during a vigil for Grateful Dead cofounder Bob Weir, with the judge citing the park ranger’s choking of Moulton as dangerous and disturbing.
Ryan Davis has been endorsed by diverse leaders of Yolo County for his commitment to fairness, opportunity, and a justice system that reflects the people it serves, as well as his experience, integrity, and deep respect for the community.
Judge Maria D. Hernandez upheld the punitive fees and imposed additional restitution fees after the accused pleaded guilty to six counts, including felonies and misdemeanors, despite the public defender’s request for a reduction in fees due to the accused’s financial hardship.
Judge David Bonilla set bail at $45,000 for an accused facing nonviolent drug-related charges, despite defense arguments for pretrial release, due to a lack of confidence that the accused would abide by the conditions of release.
A judge in Van Nuys Courthouse West revoked a man’s probation after he failed to complete his 45 days of assigned community labor, despite defense arguments that family crises prevented compliance.
The Sacramento Superior Court judge denied the defense’s request for a continuance of the trial proceedings, despite the defense arguing she lacked sufficient time to prepare a mental health diversion petition for the accused.
Judge Hernandez denied a request for a public defender and set bail during an arraignment for an accused facing multiple felony charges, citing the accused’s financial information and criminal history as factors.
A Sacramento County Superior Court judge denied an accused man’s request for release on his own recognizance pending trial on a petty theft charge, citing his prior felony history and failures to appear as indicators that he would not comply with court orders.
Deputy Public Defender Kate Robinson objected to a protective order in a DUI injury case, arguing it was too restrictive and prevented her from effectively representing her client, delaying the setting of a new pretrial date.
Irie Benson was acquitted of attempted murder after a San Francisco jury found that he fired a gun in self-defense to protect himself and his elderly uncle from a knife-wielding stranger.
At a preliminary hearing in San Francisco, Judge Begert dismissed three of five charges due to gaps in the prosecution’s evidence, while two drug counts were allowed to proceed based on the totality of the circumstances.
A Yolo County Superior Court judge has ordered an unemployed and carless San Francisco resident to appear in person at a future court hearing, rejecting arguments that he was unable to do so due to his circumstances.
Antoine Watson was acquitted of first- and second-degree murder and elder abuse, but convicted of involuntary manslaughter and assault likely to cause great bodily injury for pushing 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, who later died from his injuries.
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office is facing an increased caseload of 55% in felony cases and 78% in misdemeanors, resulting in a staffing shortage and forcing attorneys to work overtime without pay, while the judge’s order to accept all arraignments in felony cases exacerbates the situation.
Judge Carlton P. Biggs denied a request for conditional release and set $20,000 bail for a foreign national facing DUI-related probation proceedings, citing the accused’s previous arrests and high blood alcohol content levels.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman is presiding over hearings to address the strain on the city’s indigent defense system, as the Public Defender’s Office and the conflict defense panel struggle to ensure timely and qualified legal representation for felony defendants.
Chief Attorney Matt Gonzalez argued in court that the judge has no authority to order the Public Defender’s Office to take on more felony cases, warning such an order would violate attorneys’ limits and clients’ constitutional rights.
The defense argued that the late disclosure of critical evidence in an eight-year-old DUI case violated the accused’s right to a speedy and fair trial, but the judge denied the motion to dismiss, citing the accused’s multiple bench warrants and participation in a diversion program.
Los Angeles County has launched a new pilot removal defense program to provide legal representation to immigrants facing deportation proceedings, funded by unclaimed cy pres funds from the Roy settlement.
Community leaders, advocates, elected officials, and impacted women gathered outside the San Francisco County Jail to demand accountability for deputies who ordered women in custody to strip in front of male deputies, violating constitutional protections, state law, and basic human dignity.