Courts & Litigation

People v. Martinez - Criminal Resentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed a resentencing order for Santiago Martinez, Jr. The court found the trial court abused its discretion by denying a continuance to obtain necessary documents from the California Department of Corrections, prejudicing the defendant. The case is remanded for a new resentencing hearing.

People v. Wandick - Criminal Case Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, filed a non-precedential opinion in the case of People v. Wandick. The court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding no error in the denial of the defendant's request to represent himself.

People v. Burnham - Criminal Appeal on Felony Murder Liability

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court's decision denying a resentencing petition under Penal Code section 1172.6. The court found the defendant was a major participant in a murder who acted with reckless indifference to human life, thus remaining liable under current felony murder rules. The appeal also addressed the admissibility of a hearsay statement regarding the shooter's identity.

People v. Avalos - Criminal Threat Sentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a defendant's upper-term sentence for making a criminal threat. The court found that despite potential trauma contributing to the offense, unchallenged aggravating circumstances supported the superior court's sentencing decision.

People v. Santillan - Criminal Appeal Opinion

The California Court of Appeal filed an opinion in the case of People v. Santillan. The court affirmed the conviction but directed the trial court to modify the judgment to reflect a corrected presentence custody credit calculation.

People v. Huntington - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court's decision denying a defendant's request for mental health diversion. The court found substantial evidence that the defendant posed an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety due to his criminal history and recent offenses.

People v. Jaquez - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, filed a non-precedential opinion in the case of People v. Jaquez. The court affirmed the judgment against the defendant, who was convicted of eight counts of child sexual abuse and sentenced to 120 years in prison.

In re J.A. - Juvenile Dependency Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, filed a non-precedential opinion in the case of In re J.A. The appeal concerned a juvenile court's jurisdiction and disposition order related to child dependency allegations against the mother, Jacqueline A. The court affirmed the juvenile court's decision.

People v. Pacheco - Criminal Conviction Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, filed an opinion in the case of People v. Pacheco. The court affirmed the conviction and sentence of Jose Manuel Pacheco for multiple forcible sexual offenses against minors but directed the correction of a discrepancy in the restitution fund fine amount noted in the abstract of judgment.

People v. Casique - Appeal of Resentencing Denial

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, affirmed an order denying a defendant's petition for resentencing under Penal Code section 1172.6. The court found sufficient evidence to support the trial court's determination that the defendant was a major participant who acted with reckless indifference to human life.