US Courts

People v. Maravilla - Criminal Appeal on Restitution Order

The California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, affirmed a restitution order against Joel Adalberto Maravilla. Maravilla appealed the order for reimbursement to the California Victim Compensation Board and the victim's mother for mental health treatment and security system installation, arguing trial court error. The court found no merit in his arguments.

Supporters Alliance v. City of Inglewood - Attorney Fee Award

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court's award of $165,072.50 in attorney fees to Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) in its challenge against the City of Inglewood's environmental review process for a housing development. The court considered factors related to the Housing Accountability Act and SAFER's alleged financial incentives to litigate.

People v. Perez - Fourth Amendment Vehicle Impoundment

The California Court of Appeal ruled that a police officer's decision to impound a driver's vehicle solely to prevent further illegal driving does not satisfy the community caretaking function under the Fourth Amendment. The court reversed a judgment, finding the impoundment and subsequent searches unlawful.

People v. Garamallo - California Court of Appeal Opinion

The California Court of Appeal for the Fifth Appellate District has issued an opinion in the case of People v. Garamallo. The case involves a defendant resentenced under Penal Code section 1172.75, with the trial court striking prior prison term enhancements but declining to resentence under the Three Strikes Reform Act. The appellate court agreed to remand the case for the trial court to exercise its discretion regarding the Three Strikes offenses.

Vasquez v. Janelle Investment - Appeal of Order Denying Motion to Vacate Default Judgment

The California Court of Appeal affirmed an order denying a motion to vacate a default judgment in a habitability action. The defendants appealed, arguing their former attorney abandoned them, but the court found a pattern of delay and obstruction. This non-precedential opinion is not to be published in the official reports.

Sheerer v. Panas - Child Support Modification Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed a trial court order modifying child support payments, finding the court failed to account for bonus income. The court also warned in propria persona litigants about the dangers of using generative AI for legal briefs, citing a case where fabricated citations were submitted.

In re Zachary R. - Juvenile Court Law Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Eight, issued a non-precedential opinion in the case of In re Zachary R. The court affirmed the juvenile court's detention and dispositional orders, finding substantial evidence supported the jurisdictional order and that the father's challenge to the detention order was moot.

People v. Ford - Criminal Threat Sentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, issued an opinion in People v. Ford concerning a defendant convicted of making criminal threats. The appeal focused on whether the trial court properly considered the defendant's mental health issues in sentencing, distinguishing between psychological trauma and mental illness.

People v. Loza - Criminal Plea Withdrawal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court's denial of a motion to withdraw a no-contest plea in the case of People v. Loza. The defendant appealed, arguing the court abused its discretion in considering the totality of circumstances and applying an unwarranted prejudice standard when evaluating her plea withdrawal request.

People v. Phillips - DUI Causing Injury Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed and remanded an order revoking probation for a defendant convicted of DUI causing injury. The court found that a legislative amendment to the probation statute, enacted after the defendant's conviction but before the probation violation, should have been applied.