United States

Villa v. Modica - Appeal of Employment Discharge

The California Court of Appeal reversed a trial court's decision regarding the discharge of a police detective, Salvador Villa. The appellate court directed the trial court to order the Civil Service Commission to reconsider the penalty for Villa's employment discharge based on remaining charges.

People v. Lopez - Criminal Robbery and Restitution Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed an order regarding victim restitution in the case of People v. Lopez. The defendant appealed the trial court's determination of restitution owed to Wells Fargo Bank and the handling of potential restitution to NCR. The court found no abuse of discretion.

People v. Sylvester - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a resentencing decision in People v. Sylvester, holding that trial courts retain discretion to strike multiple sentencing enhancements. The court found no abuse of discretion in the trial court's decision not to strike additional enhancements.

People v. Vanderford - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, filed an opinion in the case of People v. Vanderford. The court affirmed the defendant's convictions for murder, robbery, burglary, and arson, except to strike one of the two multiple-murder special circumstances found true.

People v. Fonseca - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, filed an opinion in the case of People v. Fonseca. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 75 years to life. The appeal addresses issues including jury instructions, prosecutorial misconduct, and evidentiary rulings.

S.O. v. Bonita Unified School District - Childhood Sexual Assault Claims

The California Court of Appeal reversed a lower court's decision, holding that Assembly Bill No. 218's retroactive waiver of the claim presentation requirement for childhood sexual assault claims does not violate the California Constitution. This ruling allows plaintiffs to bring claims that would otherwise be time-barred.

People v. Lopez - Child Molestation Sentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed and remanded a judgment against Antonio Martinez Lopez, who was convicted of child molestation. The court found that the trial court erred by imposing an upper term sentence based on aggravating factors not stipulated to by the defendant or proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Fisher v. Fisher - Wrongful Death Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment in a wrongful death case. The court found that the defendants' tortious conduct was the legal cause of the decedent's relapse and subsequent death, upholding jury awards totaling approximately $9.4 million plus punitive damages.

People v. Medrano - Appeal of Order Denying Motion to Vacate Conviction

The California Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of a motion to vacate a conviction for transportation of a controlled substance. The defendant argued he did not understand the immigration consequences of his plea. The court found the defendant failed to establish prejudice from any error in understanding.

People v. Bogan - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal modified the sentence of Ladrill Bogan, vacating a $5,000 restitution fine pursuant to recent statutory amendments. The court affirmed the modified sentence of 50 years to life, finding no abuse of discretion in denying a motion to dismiss a prior strike conviction.