Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Homebuilder Sentiment Dips Back to Lowest Level Since Late 2022

2 hours ago

Wall Street Muted as Investors Focus on Retail Earnings, Jackson Hole Summit

2 hours ago

Trump Vows to Target Mail-in Ballots Ahead of 2026 Midterm Election

2 hours ago

Thousands of Palestinians Leave Gaza City Fearing Israeli Offensive

3 hours ago

What to Know About Russia-US-Ukraine Peace Talks

20 hours ago

Actor Terence Stamp, Star of Superman Films, Dies Aged 87

20 hours ago

Kevin McCarthy, Redistricting Commission’s Popularity Stand in Newsom’s Way

3 days ago

California Man Safe After High-Tech Rescue From Behind Sequoia Waterfall

3 days ago
Arambula Pleads Not Guilty to Child Cruelty Charge
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 13, 2019

Share

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) during an arraignment hearing that lasted less than 90 seconds Wednesday.

Arambula did not appear in Fresno Superior Court to face a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to a child.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Arambula, a physician, for a Dec. 9 incident involving his 7-year-old daughter. He is accused of “inflicting unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering.”

Arambula’s Attorneys Disappointed

Attorneys for Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula — Michael Aed (left) and Margarita Martinez-Baly — speak to the media following an arraignment at the Fresno Superior Court “M” Street Courthouse on March 13, 2019 (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

After the hearing, Arambula’s attorneys spoke to the media.

“It’s disappointing,” attorney Michael Aed said.

He said the district attorney’s office did not inform him about the filing decision until Tuesday morning.

“We expect that the jury process will vindicate Dr. Arambula. This is not about politics. This about a human being, a father of three children, who has a reputation. He believes that he’s been mischaracterized by the public statements by law enforcement in this case. And, he expects to be vindicated and have his case heard in a court of law, not a court of public opinion,” Aed said.

As to why Arambula did not appear, co-attorney Margarita Martinez-Baly explained that his presence wasn’t required. According to California law, a defendant may appear through counsel in most misdemeanor cases.

Arambula is taking an unpaid leave from his elected position. He is eligible for re-election in 2020 for the Assembly seat representing parts of the city of Fresno and western Fresno County.

Politically Motivated?

ADA Steve Wright

Arambula, in a statement Tuesday released through Martinez-Baly, said that “politics may have influenced the decision to file.”

Pressed on the statement, Martinez-Baly said, “The facts speak for themselves. When you have top law enforcement officials making comments to the media on matters that are not public knowledge. When you have the No. 2 person in the DA’s office coming into court to try the case, then you make your own judgment.”

Martinez-Baly was referencing comments that Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer made to the media in December. Dyer said that the injuries to Arambula’s daughter were not consistent with a spanking as the assemblyman said.

Assistant District Attorney Steve Wright said Tuesday that any suggestion the DA’s office made a politically influenced decision to charge Arambula was “absolutely 100% not correct.”

Wright was in court Wednesday representing the DA’s office.

De Alba Recuses Herself

The arraignment was scheduled for the courtroom of Judge Ana de Alba. However, shortly before the hearing started, de Alba recused herself, citing a conflict of interest. She did not elaborate on the conflict.

The hearing was transferred to the adjacent courtroom of Judge Gary Green.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 2. The trial date is April 23.

Judge Gary L. Green presides over the Joaquin Arambula arraignment in Fresno Superior Court on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

DON'T MISS

Gavin Newsom Warms to Big Oil in Climate Reversal

DON'T MISS

Madera County Authorities Arrest Two During Oakhurst Law Enforcement Operation

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

DON'T MISS

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

DON'T MISS

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

DON'T MISS

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

DON'T MISS

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

DON'T MISS

Democrat Sherrod Brown Says He Will Try to Return to US Senate in 2026

DON'T MISS

Fresno and Clovis Unifieds Welcome Students Today With New Learning Tools, Facility Upgrades

UP NEXT

Gavin Newsom Warms to Big Oil in Climate Reversal

UP NEXT

Madera County Authorities Arrest Two During Oakhurst Law Enforcement Operation

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

UP NEXT

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

UP NEXT

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

UP NEXT

Fresno and Clovis Unifieds Welcome Students Today With New Learning Tools, Facility Upgrades

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Elderly Man

UP NEXT

Micky MaKenzie, Bold Pup With a Big Heart, Ready for a New Home

UP NEXT

Sanger Police Arrest Second Suspect Charged in Juvenile Shooting

UP NEXT

Pismo’s Manager Stuck in ICE Detention for Long Ago Teen Crime

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

60 minutes ago

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

60 minutes ago

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

1 hour ago

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

1 hour ago

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

1 hour ago

Democrat Sherrod Brown Says He Will Try to Return to US Senate in 2026

2 hours ago

Fresno and Clovis Unifieds Welcome Students Today With New Learning Tools, Facility Upgrades

2 hours ago

US Homebuilder Sentiment Dips Back to Lowest Level Since Late 2022

2 hours ago

Wall Street Muted as Investors Focus on Retail Earnings, Jackson Hole Summit

2 hours ago

Trump Vows to Target Mail-in Ballots Ahead of 2026 Midterm Election

2 hours ago

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

As more San Joaquin Valley towns face wells going dry and other water crises, a new bipartisan legislative bill would make many more communi...

10 minutes ago

Jim Costa and Chuck Edwards
10 minutes ago

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

Kern County California Oil Pumps
21 minutes ago

Gavin Newsom Warms to Big Oil in Climate Reversal

Craig Isherwood (left), 39, of Visalia, and Jayden Vanzeyl, 23, of Oakhurst, were arrested Saturday during a coordinated law enforcement operation. (Madera County SO)
48 minutes ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Two During Oakhurst Law Enforcement Operation

Koby Dupree Foster is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for August 18, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
60 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

Demonstrators block Israel's main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, after families of hostages have called for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Latrun Israel August 17,2025 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
60 minutes ago

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

ICE is offering up to $50,000 in bonuses, student loan assistance, and enhanced benefits to recruit 10,000 new deportation officers as part of the Trump administration’s push to ramp up deportations. (Shutterstock)
1 hour ago

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

Police vehicles block a street in a cordoned off area in Times Square in New York City, U.S. August 18, 2025. (Reuters/Jeenah Moon)
1 hour ago

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

Fresno police are reminding drivers to slow down, follow parking rules and be cautious in school zones as back-to-school traffic increases. (Shutterstock)
1 hour ago

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend