Judge Nicole Isger denied a motion to suppress evidence at the Palo Alto Courthouse, upholding charges against a defendant of color facing drug and illegal fireworks offenses following a traffic stop. The defense had contended the evidence resulted from an unlawful detention and search, citing Fourth Amendment protections and alleging racial bias in the stop’s prolongation.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo ordered a defendant released from custody, declining prosecutors’ request for additional incarceration following a failure to appear. The decision, which emphasized accountability, personal responsibility, and rehabilitation, placed the defendant on probation with specific conditions, including a lifetime firearms prohibition. This ruling reflects ongoing discussions within the criminal legal system regarding appropriate responses to failures to appear and the efficacy of additional incarceration.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti have initiated a lawsuit to block the construction of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Gilroy. The legal challenge asserts the project contravenes multiple federal and state statutes, jeopardizing both immigrant rights and protected agricultural land.
A 2-year-old child died after being sexually abused by a cousin, leading the Santa Clara County District Attorney to call for sweeping changes and raise the possibility of criminal charges against those tasked with protecting the child.
Jermaine Hopkins, an honorably discharged disabled veteran and former police officer, has alleged a pattern of institutional intimidation and retaliation against Deputy District Attorney Daniel Chung, which he believes is part of a larger trend of powerful officials using their power to silence critics and deflect blame.
Santa Clara County’s homelessness prevention program has been successful in reducing the number of people who become homeless, and is being expanded to 10 other communities across the country with the help of Destination: Home.
A complaint filed with the State Bar of California has raised questions about the conduct of Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, as a judge has ordered the production of records in a high-profile Stanford protest case involving allegations of conflict of interest.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen warned that budget cuts to his office could lead to less safety, but critics argue that investing in preventative measures such as mental health services, housing, and community health could be more effective in reducing crime.
12 Stanford University students and alumni have been charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass for protesting the university’s investments in companies associated with Israel, marking a significant escalation in charging against nonviolent demonstrators.
The ACLU of Northern California has filed a lawsuit against Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, accusing his office of withholding records that could reveal racial disparities in felony charging decisions, and is seeking to have the full set of records released.
Judge Robert Hawk delayed sentencing a man who pleaded guilty to retail theft, citing violations of his probation, and the District Attorney’s Office is now seeking a five- to six-year prison sentence.
Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo denied release for an accused man who had failed to appear at previous court hearings, despite being incarcerated in Alameda County at the time, and set the bail bond at $75,000.
The accused was found with a stolen vehicle key fob and methamphetamine, but was not seen driving the vehicle, and the judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence for him to be held on both charges.
A Santa Clara County jury awarded Peter Rogerson $9.15 million in damages after his former employer, Power Integrations, Inc., was found guilty of harassment and discrimination.
AB 1376 would allow youth to be removed from probation after nine months, requiring that conditions be individually tailored and in the best interest of the young person.
A coalition of over 50 local governments and officials has filed an amicus brief in support of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s opposition to President Trump’s federalization and deployment of the California National Guard, arguing that the move violates the state and local powers and would disrupt the existing public safety strategies.
A woman convicted of 23 crimes, including seven felonies, was sentenced to 118 days in county jail after a plea hearing in Santa Clara County, despite claims of progress in substance use and mental health treatment programs.
A father is paying nearly $1,000 a week for court-ordered supervised visitation with his 4-year-old son, despite having no criminal record or history of domestic violence, while a political relationship between the judge and the mother’s attorney is at the heart of a judicial disqualification motion.
A domestic violence survivor is being subjected to legal abuse and retaliation in Santa Clara County, as the court refuses to enforce a binding support order and has held ten hearings on alimony.
California’s housing crisis is so severe that even six-figure salaries are considered low income in many counties, causing middle-class families to struggle to afford housing and driving up the state’s unemployment rate.