US Courts

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. Velazquezhuar - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, filed an opinion affirming a judgment against Omar Velazquezhuar, who was convicted of murdering his domestic partner. The court found no grounds for reversal regarding the admission of prior uncharged crimes evidence, jury instructions, or alleged jury coercion.

People v. Adams - Criminal Threat Conviction Affirmed

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a conviction for making a criminal threat against Christopher Larry Adams. The court found that Adams forfeited his argument for reducing the felony to a misdemeanor by failing to raise it at the sentencing hearing and that the argument also failed on its merits.

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.

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.

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. Acosta - Criminal Conviction Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment against Marlon Acosta, who was found guilty of multiple sexual offenses and kidnapping. Acosta appealed, raising issues of insufficient evidence, witness impeachment, admission of uncharged acts, and prosecutorial misconduct. The court found no merit in his contentions.

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.

People v. Harvey - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court's denial of a petition for recall and resentencing filed by James Earl Harvey. Harvey argued that denying resentencing mechanisms to defendants who were 18 at the time of their offenses, while providing them to those under 18, violated equal protection. The court rejected this argument, affirming the original sentence.

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.