Disciplining high school students for racist, bullying, vulgar, or harassing speech posted on social media does not violate the First Amendment whether it occurs on campus or in the privacy of students’ homes. The Ninth Circuit followed a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that said social media posts... Read More »
A California Superior Court judge ordered mandatory drug tests for a father who hoped to begin home visits with his two children, aged two and four. When he admitted that he occasionally used marijuana, a legal substance in the state, the hearing judge told him, “You can smoke pot, or... Read More »
Geoffrey S. posted notices on Facebook that he was buying “ammo” to protect himself from a government takeover and COVID vaccines with tracking devices. He owned several shotguns. His social media posts were filled with conspiracy theories and allegations such as claims that Bill Gates had already killed millions. Police... Read More »
California’s First District Court of Appeal dismissed a suit by a group that objected to a California law that bars sex offenders from serving on juries. The Court ruled that this practice serves the legitimate aim of “ensuring fair and impartial juries.” In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel affirmed... Read More »
When most people look for a job, they send a résumé and perhaps some samples of their work to a potential employer. But when actors are looking for work, they often send casting directors clips of films or plays in which they performed. When one actress sent her clips, however,... Read More »
One of comedian David Letterman’s best comedic bits was telling people to “get off my lawn.” The tagline was popular with everyone from Jon Stewart, to Clint Eastwood, to the Wall Street Journal as it described a millionaire’s response to protesters from Occupy Wall Street. No one probably imagined that... Read More »
California voters approved a ban on the sale of many flavored tobacco products by passing a ballot measure, Proposition 31, during the November 2022 election. Not surprisingly, R.J. Reynolds and a group of other tobacco companies and retail stores sued California, arguing that both the U.S. Constitution and a federal... Read More »
He was on trial for first-degree residential burglary. But on the morning of the second day of his trial, he did not show up because of a possible heroin and methamphetamine overdose. The trial court continued his case because they found him “voluntarily absent.” After he lost at trial, the... Read More »
A convicted sex offender who was found guilty of contacting and communicating with a minor, appealed his conviction when he learned that one of the jurors in his case had applied for a job in the District Attorney’s office. The District Court denied his motion for a new trial due... Read More »
For the second time in six weeks, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling that cracks down on serial filers who try to take advantage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by filing frivolous lawsuits against small businesses that they do not legitimately patronize. In order... Read More »
Way back in 1911, California voters approved a Constitutional amendment that allows them to recall and remove their elected officials and State Supreme Court justices. Voters have attempted this 179 times, but only six have been successful. The latest ballot measure, targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom for the seventh time since... Read More »
Any soap opera writers looking for steamy ideas for their next plot need look no further than a recent case from a California district court. It has all the elements that make for addictive, shocking drama – a bereaved widow, a fight over the frozen sperm of her deceased husband,... Read More »
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal issued a clarifying opinion that goes beyond what the Supreme Court has ruled about how a jury must weigh a defendant’s failure to testify if a trial judge does not properly instruct the jury about his rights. Although issued as an unpublished opinion, the... Read More »
Many problems with court administration can be at least partially solved with more funding. But one of its most disturbing challenges cannot be cured with additional money. Rather, the solution requires more trained and qualified people. One current crisis is the severe shortage of court reporters. There just aren’t enough... Read More »
A captain in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSCO) in California was fired because of sexual improprieties with women under his command and numerous other violations of RSCO employment policies. The sheriff’s office had heard rumors about the captain’s misconduct but did not immediately begin to investigate. After his termination,... Read More »
