Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

A First Look at Fresno State’s Quarterback Battle

3 days ago

Israeli Columnist Alleges Ethnic Cleansing Plan in Gaza

3 days ago

Tesla to Roll out Bay Area Robotaxis With Safety Drivers, Report Says

3 days ago

Thailand and Cambodia Exchange Heavy Artillery Fire as Border Battle Expands

3 days ago

California Cannot Require Background Checks to Buy Ammunition, US Appeals Court Rules

4 days ago

TikTok Will Go Dark in US Without Chinese Approval of Sale Deal, Lutnick Says

4 days ago

Fresno County Authorities Still Searching for Missing Mother and Infant

4 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

Visalia Police Arrest Wanted Man Following DUI Traffic Stop and Chase

DON'T MISS

Trump, EU’s Von Der Leyen to Meet on Sunday to Clinch Trade Deal

DON'T MISS

Israel Announces Daily Pauses in Gaza Fighting as Aid Airdrops Begin

DON'T MISS

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

DON'T MISS

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

DON'T MISS

Frustration, Gaza Alarm Drove Macron to Go It Alone on Palestine Recognition

DON'T MISS

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

DON'T MISS

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

DON'T MISS

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

UP NEXT

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

UP NEXT

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

UP NEXT

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

UP NEXT

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

UP NEXT

Lemoore Farmers Fed Up With Lack of Representation on Groundwater Agency

UP NEXT

‘Jenny from the Block’ Rescued After Camping Out by Calwa ATM

UP NEXT

Tulare Officer Injured in Crash While Trying to Save Unresponsive Infant. Child Dies at Hospital

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Candidate Rassamni Says City Is Investigating Him Amid Allegations by Arias

UP NEXT

Fresno First Responders Talk Person Down off Parking Garage Ledge

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

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

2 days ago

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

2 days ago

Frustration, Gaza Alarm Drove Macron to Go It Alone on Palestine Recognition

2 days ago

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

2 days ago

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

2 days ago

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

2 days ago

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

2 days ago

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

2 days ago

Lemoore Farmers Fed Up With Lack of Representation on Groundwater Agency

2 days ago

‘Jenny from the Block’ Rescued After Camping Out by Calwa ATM

2 days ago

Visalia Police Arrest Wanted Man Following DUI Traffic Stop and Chase

A 20-year-old man was arrested early Saturday morning after leading officers on a pursuit into Tulare County, authorities said. Just after 1...

16 hours ago

Visalia police arrested a 20-year-old man with multiple felony warrants early Saturday after he fled a DUI traffic stop, leading officers on a pursuit into Tulare County that ended with spike strips and a CHP PIT maneuver. (Visalia PD)
16 hours ago

Visalia Police Arrest Wanted Man Following DUI Traffic Stop and Chase

President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

Trump, EU’s Von Der Leyen to Meet on Sunday to Clinch Trade Deal

Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 27, 2025. (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas)
16 hours ago

Israel Announces Daily Pauses in Gaza Fighting as Aid Airdrops Begin

The entire board of Highlands Community Charter in Sacramento stepped down after a state audit found the school improperly received over $180 million and engaged in questionable spending. (Shutter
2 days ago

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

The NASA logo is seen at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., April 16, 2021. (Reuters File)
2 days ago

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron visit a ward for Palestinian patients at El Arish Hospital, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, in Arish, Egypt April 8, 2025. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
2 days ago

Frustration, Gaza Alarm Drove Macron to Go It Alone on Palestine Recognition

U.S. President Donald Trump golfs at Trump Turnberry resort in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 26, 2025. (Reuters/Phil Noble)
2 days ago

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

Noah Robinson, 38, was arrested after allegedly robbing a Visalia Long John Silver’s at knifepoint and attempting to flee through nearby backyards with $110 in stolen cash on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Visalia PD)
2 days ago

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

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

Search

Send this to a friend