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Beaumont High awarded for civic engagement

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:34:00 GMT

Mock elections, mock trials, and peer mediation has been anything but mockery for Beaumont High School’s students. Article Published: May 21, 2013

Spotlight on OC judge after former student files agency claim

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:30:00 GMT

(Subscription required) A former law school student has filed a million-dollar claim alleging an Orange County Superior Court judge pressured her into sexual relations. Article Published: May 21, 2013

California Senate acts to clarify legality of medical cannabis

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:26:00 GMT

Medical marijuana dispensaries that abide by security rules in California would not be subject to local or state prosecution for illegal sales under a measure approved Monday by the state Senate. Article Published: May 21, 2013

The broken economics of legal education

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:51:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Annual tuition at over a dozen law schools now exceeds $50,000 (Columbia topping the list at $55,000), with many other law schools poised to follow. Adding another $15,000 to $20,000 in annual living expenses, the three year out-of-pocket cost of obtaining a law degree for students without substantial scholarships is around or above $200,000 at dozens of law schools today. Article Published: May 21, 2013

Judicial Profile: Brian C. Walsh

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:23:00 GMT

(Subscription required) A trial judge in Santa Clara County for 12 years before being selected as the county's presiding judge, Walsh has taken up the unenviable job of administering the fourth largest county court system in California as it and other courts throughout the state grapple with deep budget cuts. Article Published: May 21, 2013

For the Word on the Street, Courts Call Up an Online Witness

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:04:00 GMT

The wheels of justice move slowly sometimes, but not, apparently, as slowly as Webster’s New World Dictionary. Article Published: May 20, 2013

L.A. City Council Criticizes Court Consolidation Plan

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:18:00 GMT

The Los Angeles City Council Friday passed a resolution urging the Los Angeles Superior Court to solicit public input and reconsider the consolidation of cases at a small number of court “hubs” as a solution to its budget troubles. Article Published: May 20, 2013

Judicial Profile: Pamela A. Davis

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:15:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Pamela A. Davis' position as a traffic court commissioner on the Los Angeles Superior Court might not be most bench officers' first choice of assignments, but you would not know it by talking to Davis. Article Published: May 20, 2013

Voters to decide fate of pot shops

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:06:00 GMT

Los Angeles politicians have struggled for more than five years to regulate medical marijuana. Article Published: May 19, 2013

Harbison West Elementary Student Wins Honors in National Contest

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:01:00 GMT

A Lexington-Richland School District Five second grader has earned honors in a nationwide First Amendment cartoon competition. Article Published: May 19, 2013

California analyst's revenue projection higher than Jerry Brown's

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:57:00 GMT

California will collect more than $3 billion in additional state revenue, the state's nonpartisan legislative analyst said Friday, setting the stage for a Capitol fight among Democrats over spending. Article Published: May 18, 2013

Opinion: Flawed bill regarding noncitizen jurors would cripple California courts

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:55:00 GMT

Jury duty for noncitizens might be the sliced bread of judicial reform, but not if Assembly Bill 1401 becomes law. Article Published: May 18, 2013

Court backs Redding paper in privacy suit

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:52:00 GMT

California newspapers have a legal right to publish the names of children who are subjected to abuse if a name is newsworthy, a Sacramento appellate court ruled Friday. Article Published: May 18, 2013

State budget picture brightens

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:50:00 GMT

$3 billion more revenue might make it hard for Brown to hold the line on spending. Article Published: May 17, 2013

Capital Accounts: Judges Want Watchdog On Shorter Leash

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:42:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The Commission on Judicial Performance publicly released a set of amended disciplinary rules for jurists on May 16. Article Published: May 17, 2013

California Chief Justice presents award to Bakersfield's Golden Valley High School

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:37:00 GMT

Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the 28th Chief Justice of California, was at Golden Valley High for which she presented the school with a Civic Learning Award of Excellence. Article Published: May 17, 2013

Court rules for trustee who accidentally sold home for less than a tenth of intended price

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:24:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The state Supreme Court gave a reprieve Thursday to a trustee whose mistake led to a foreclosed home being sold at auction for less than a tenth of the intended price. Article Published: May 17, 2013

Sacramento County court has express checkout to finalize divorces

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:27:00 GMT

Twelve times over five years, Yazmin Cruz and Marcio Hernandez went to court to try to make their uncontested divorce happen. Article Published: May 17, 2013

CJP Adopts Rules Amendments Opposed by CJA

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:11:00 GMT

The Commission on Judicial Performance yesterday released amendments to its rules of procedure, including two proposals that were opposed by the California Judges Association. Article Published: May 17, 2013

State Bar may try to raise dues to reimburse clients cheated by their lawyers

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:18:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Lawyers may soon have to pay $40 more in annual State Bar dues thanks to their unscrupulous colleagues. Article Published: May 17, 2013

Moreno Says He Expects to Hear Soon on Ambassadorship

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:14:00 GMT

Retired California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno said yesterday he expects to hear shortly—perhaps in the next two weeks—whether he will be nominated by President Obama as the next U.S. ambassador to Belize. Article Published: May 17, 2013

Subcontractors to bid on work for new downtown Central Courthouse

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:12:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Friday is the deadline for bidder prequalification for the new downtown San Diego Central Courthouse, a 22-story, 71-courtroom endeavor that is the state’s largest courthouse construction project. Article Published: May 16, 2013

Assemblyman, local mayors working to restore funding to state's court system

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:16:00 GMT

A group of local officials are spearheading an effort to re-staff courts and provide more judiciary funds to what they call a starving system. Article Published: May 16, 2013

California budget revision leaves court funding untouched

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:14:00 GMT

California Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed May budget revision puts no new money into the judicial branch. Article Published: May 16, 2013

PolitiCal: Jerry Brown promises prison legislation

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:48:00 GMT

California Gov. Jerry Brown's prison policy is forcing a split personality with federal courts. Article Published: May 16, 2013

Editorial: A return to the 'era of limits' in California

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:07:00 GMT

In a reminder of the boom years of the late 1990s, California's fiscal picture brightened in the first few months of 2013, leaving the state unexpectedly flush with cash. Article Published: May 16, 2013

Appellate court again limits lawyers' ability to avoid fiduciary duty suits

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:03:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The 5th District Court of Appeal, in keeping with an emerging trend among California appellate courts, ruled Wednesday that lawyers can't avoid lawsuits. Article Published: May 16, 2013

Judicial Profile: Owen Lee Kwong

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

(Subscription required) In 2004, Owen Lee Kwong assumed the reins of a thicket of sexual-abuse cases against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Article Published: May 16, 2013

Dublin Courthouse Project Delayed by State Funding Crimp

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:49:00 GMT

Alameda County officials had hoped to complete a full service courthouse in Dublin, CA by Summer 2014. Unfortunately, due to a delay in funding from the State of California, the project’s completion date may be pushed out for another year or two. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Fullerton police officer loses appeal, faces trial

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:37:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court has declined the appeal of a former Fullerton police officer, which means he'll face trial in the death of a homeless man. Article Published: May 15, 2013

State Courts Get Shut Out in May Revise of Governor’s Budget

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:39:00 GMT

Gov. Jerry Brown yesterday proposed a $96.4 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year, funneling more money to K-12 schools but giving no funds to courts beyond those he proposed in January. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Governor's budget offers no reprieve to courts, eases burden on county jails

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:37:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Having hoped for an increased share of the state's general fund, the state's courts were disappointed to learn Tuesday that Gov. Jerry Brown's revised budget proposal left the judicial branch with the same level of funding as his January proposal. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Budget Woes Mean Big Delays For Small Claims Courts

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:32:00 GMT

Across the country, cash-strapped state and local governments are not just cutting services — they're also cutting access to courts. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Committee Recommends Carter as Top Court Executive

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:28:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Superior Court Executive Committee has unanimously recommended that the Riverside Superior Court’s top executive be appointed to the same position here. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Laney ‘courts’ certified interpreters

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:23:00 GMT

Court-certified interpreters are making a difference in today’s justice system. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Judicial Profile: Laura F. Priver

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:19:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Superior Court Judge Laura F. Priver has a message for prospective jurors: Please, no tweeting. Article Published: May 15, 2013

Brown Offers No New Money for Courts

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:35:00 GMT

Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday unveiled a revised spending plan that contains no additional money for California's courts. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Royal High School earns praise for new Citizen Scholar Institute

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:17:00 GMT

Students at Royal High School in Simi Valley have the opportunity to participate in a new program that fosters civic engagement and leadership skills in partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Second CA Court OK's Multi-Million Software

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Keeping with a trend in the nation's courts, a second small California court has opted for multi-million-dollar software from Texas-based Tyler Technologies, to be paid for by California's Administrative Office of the Courts. Article Published: May 14, 2013

California courts get bad budget news

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:43:00 GMT

California's massive court system will not share in any of the new revenue bounty in Gov. Jerry Brown's revised budget plan. Article Published: May 14, 2013

No Relief for Courts in May Revise

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:54:00 GMT

Despite optimism from California's Chief Justice and the leader of the State Assembly that Governor Jerry Brown's revised budget will restore some funding to the courts, Brown said no new money will be heading the judiciary's way this year. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown sticks to hard line in revised budget proposal

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:55:00 GMT

Gov. Jerry Brown took a hard line Tuesday as he unveiled his latest budget plan. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Federal cuts lower Calif. budget outlook

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:53:00 GMT

Despite surging state tax revenue, Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday announced a spending plan for the coming fiscal year that is $1.2 billion lower than he projected in January. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Judicial Profile: Daniel P. Maguire

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:40:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Daniel Maguire had never been active in politics, but after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger swept into office with pledges to change Sacramento, he decided to make the jump to government work. Article Published: May 14, 2013

Name Surfaces For Fogel's Seat

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:32:00 GMT

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman is the administration’s new leading contender to replace Fogel. Article Published: May 13, 2013

Judicial Profile: Mark Forcum

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:37:00 GMT

(Subscription required) "I think the part about being a judge I like best is trying to improve levels of public service to the constituents that we serve." Article Published: May 13, 2013

Los Angeles deputy public defender set to become next State Bar president

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:27:00 GMT

(Subscription required) It was a day of firsts at a State Bar meeting Friday in San Francisco. Los Angeles County deputy public defender Luis J. Rodriguez was the only one who threw his hat in the ring to become the agency's next president, which means he is all but certain to get the job when elections happen in July. Article Published: May 13, 2013

State Bar approves plan to raise dues $50 for legal aid, with an opt-out provision

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:25:00 GMT

(Subscription required) State Bar leaders have unanimously voted to push ahead with a proposal that would kick up annual attorney dues $50 and siphon the proceeds to ailing legal aid services in California. Article Published: May 13, 2013

Judicial Profile: Barbara R. Johnson

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:23:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Superior Court Judge Barbara R. Johnson says that, after graduating from Yale University in 1976 with a degree in English, she really didn't know what she wanted to do with her career. Article Published: May 13, 2013

Court cuts could create huge setbacks in San Mateo County

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20:00 GMT

Like every court system in California, San Mateo County felt the pinch of budget cuts this year, and it’s enough to rattle administrators. Article Published: May 12, 2013

Solano County courts welcome California's new funding model

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:32:00 GMT

While it won't erase their structural deficit, court officials in Solano County welcome a new funding model for trial courts across California that will net some desperately needed extra cash. Article Published: May 11, 2013

Yolo courts recognizing JurorAppreciation Week

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:00 GMT

Yolo County Superior Court, along with courts throughout California, will be celebrating Juror Appreciation Week, scheduled for May 13 through May 17. Article Published: May 11, 2013

Editorial: Courthouse study in right hands

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:13:00 GMT

This week, Nevada City’s elected officials directed city staff to pursue an independent feasibility study in hopes of reviving the renovation of the Nevada County Courthouse, which the state “indefinitely delayed” in January despite its own 2009 report that deemed the 148-year-old facility “unsafe, substandard, overcrowded and functionally deficient.” Article Published: May 10, 2013

New clerk for San Diego appellate court

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:09:00 GMT

The 4th District Court of Appeal in San Diego has named a new court clerk to take the place of Steve Kelly, and it didn’t have to look very far. Article Published: May 10, 2013

Peer courts suffer as budgets trimmed, but supporters tout their value

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:44:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The lanky 14-year-old looked out at the courtroom from the witness stand, a blank stare poorly disguising his apprehension. Article Published: May 10, 2013

More California cities moving to shut marijuana clinics

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:50:00 GMT

More California cities are moving against medical marijuana dispensaries following a state Supreme Court ruling permitting them to ban the clinics. Article Published: May 10, 2013

Father's abuse of daughter a risk to sons

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:20:00 GMT

A father who sexually abuses his daughter can be considered a menace to his sons as well, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Article Published: May 9, 2013

California Sues JPMorgan Chase Over Credit Card Cases

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:09:00 GMT

California’s top law enforcement official accused JPMorgan Chase on Thursday of flooding the state’s courts with questionable lawsuits to collect overdue credit card debt. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Opinion: California Supreme Court takes high road in pot debate

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:53:00 GMT

One can be forgiven for confusing Belgium, where marijuana is still illegal but tolerated in small doses, with the neighboring Netherlands, where pot is largely legal, and freely available. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Tani Cantil-Sakauye, State's Chief Justice, to Give UCI Law School Commencement Address

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:59:00 GMT

The chief justice of the California Supreme Court will deliver the commencement address at UC Irvine School of Law on May 11. Article Published: May 9, 2013

AHS to Celebrate State 'Civic Learning' Honor

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:53:00 GMT

A state Supreme Court Justice will join state Sen. Loni Hancock and Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner on May 17 to speak and view student efforts at a "recognition event" in honor of Albany High receiving a state "Civic Learning" award. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Calls for state court funding intensify

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:19:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Assembly Speaker John Perez on Wednesday called for restored funding for the state's judicial branch but warned that legislators will impose strict controls on how the branch spends that money. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Insurance company may face false advertising lawsuit after repeatedly lowballing customer

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:17:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Plaintiffs lawyers and insurance companies have waited more than three years for the state Supreme Court to take up the case of Yanting Zhang, a homeowner who sued her insurance company for false advertising after it repeatedly stalled her efforts to get recovery after an apartment fire. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Justices lean toward broader application of settlement tool

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The state Supreme Court took up a case Wednesday that could dramatically change lawyers' calculations for when to make and accept pretrial settlement offers. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Opening Remarks

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:09:00 GMT

Butte County Judge Steven Howell addresses the audience at a groundbreaking for a new courthouse in Chico. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Judicial Profile: Charles Haines

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:59:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Judge Charles Haines says there's been progress in equality for gays since he took the bench. Article Published: May 9, 2013

Video: Judicial Profile: Judge Mark Forcum

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:04:00 GMT

The San Mateo County judge talks about what he enjoys most about his work — providing service to attorneys and residents in the county. Article Published: May 9, 2013

More Money for Courts Will Come With Conditions

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:21:00 GMT

Assembly leader John Perez said Wednesday that rosy projections for the next state budget should mean some restored funding for fiscally drained courts. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Assembly speaker outlines budget plans

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:24:00 GMT

Gov. Jerry Brown won't unveil his revised budget plan until next week, but Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez detailed some of his own ideas Wednesday. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Preferred site identified for new Stanislaus County courthouse

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:55:00 GMT

Stanislaus County’s new courthouse will be built between Ninth and 10th streets and G and H streets in downtown Modesto, a state committee has decided. Article Published: May 8, 2013

California Supreme Court wrestles with spousal rights case

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:53:00 GMT

Confronting a Silicon Valley woman's unusual legal plight, the California Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared reluctant to strip legal rights from spouses who truly believe they are married but may not have taken all the technical steps to make sure their paperwork is right under state law. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Fourth District Court of Appeal Names New Clerk

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:21:00 GMT

The Fourth District Court of Appeal has chosen Kevin J. Lane as its new clerk/administrator, Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell said yesterday. Article Published: May 8, 2013

State Supreme Court debates how government agencies must analyze project impacts

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:09:00 GMT

(Subscription required) The state Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in a case that could have far-reaching consequences for how government agencies analyze the environmental consequences of large infrastructure projects around the state. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Debtor's Purgatory

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:14:00 GMT

People who can't afford to hire an attorney have virtually no chance in court against well-heeled lawyers for banks and debt collection companies. Article Published: May 8, 2013

C.A. Rejects Challenge to Court Reporter’s Allegedly Excessive Fees

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:10:00 GMT

The sole means of challenging a court reporter’s fees for deposition transcripts as excessive is by motion filed in the action in which the depositions were taken, the Court of Appeal for this district ruled yesterday. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Bill will give more teeth to State Bar in catching unauthorized practitioners of law

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:07:00 GMT

(Subscription required) A bill to give the State Bar more power to pursue unauthorized practitioners of law unanimously passed the state Assembly Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Facing suit, State Bar defends exam passage rate rule

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:05:00 GMT

(Subscription required) A requirement that at least 40 percent of graduates from State Bar-accredited law schools be able to pass the bar exam is constitutional and "wholly rational," bar lawyers argued in a motion defending the new rule against a law school's challenge. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Judicial Profile: Rebecca Omens

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:02:00 GMT

(Subscription required) Like her earlier studies in anthropology, Rebecca Omens still pores over the context of each case. Article Published: May 8, 2013

Editorial: Dispensary case was about more than marijuana

Wed, 8 May 2013 12:57:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court got it right on Monday when it unanimously ruled that local governments have authority to ban certain activities -- in this case marijuana dispensaries -- from operating within their borders. Article Published: May 7, 2013

In California, Diversity in College Starts Earlier

Wed, 8 May 2013 12:51:00 GMT

As the Supreme Court weighs a case that could decide the future of affirmative action in college admissions, California offers one glimpse of a future without it. Article Published: May 7, 2013

Judicial Profile: John A. Slawson

Tue, 7 May 2013 13:45:00 GMT

(Subscription required) John A. Slawson, who's been a commissioner in Los Angeles County for 20 years, is in the middle of applying for a promotion. He's hoping the third time is the charm. Article Published: May 7, 2013