CA Court of Appeal Opinions

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.

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.

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. Snow - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, has reversed and remanded a sentencing order for Ricky Alan Snow. The court reconsidered the case in light of a Supreme Court directive concerning the application of the Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012.

People v. Ramirez - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed a lower court's denial of a resentencing petition filed by Raul Enrique Ramirez under Penal Code section 1172.6. The court found that Ramirez was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on his claim that he could not be convicted of murder under current law.

People v. Rinke - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed and remanded a lower court's decision in People v. Rinke. The appellate court found that the defendant was eligible for a resentencing hearing, which the trial court had erroneously denied. The case involves a defendant convicted of murder, vehicular manslaughter, and other offenses.

People v. Eastus - Criminal Robbery Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, affirmed a conviction for second-degree robbery and upheld a 15-year prison sentence for Dustin Ira Eastus. The court found no abuse of discretion in the sentencing or the refusal to strike a prior serious felony enhancement.

People v. Scott - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, affirmed in part and dismissed in part the appeal of Derrick Anthony Scott. The court denied Scott's petition for resentencing under Penal Code section 1172.6, finding him ineligible for relief, and dismissed the appeal of the denial of his section 1172.1 resentencing request as non-appealable.