A major new Indian gaming casino and hotel will be built adjacent to Highway 99 near Madera, North Fork tribal officials said Monday, following a decision by the California Supreme Court. “We are thrilled that the Court has finally decided this case in our favor,” said North Fork Rancheria Tribal...
California High Court Rejects Scott Peterson’s Death Penalty
SACRAMENTO — The California Supreme Court on Monday overturned the 2005 death sentence for Scott Peterson in the slaying of his pregnant wife, but said prosecutors may try again for the same sentence if they wish in the high-profile case. It upheld his 2004 murder conviction in the killing of...
California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin to Retire
SAN FRANCISCO — A legal trailblazer and longest-serving sitting member of the California Supreme Court said Wednesday he'll retire this year, giving Gov. Gavin Newsom an opportunity to shape the state's highest court. Justice Ming W. Chin will retire Aug. 31 after nearly 25 years on the state Supreme Court....
Court Won’t Block Death Penalty Trials Despite Moratorium
SACRAMENTO — The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to block death penalty cases from proceeding during Gov. Gavin Newsom's moratorium on executions. The justices rejected defense attorneys' arguments that jurors can't realistically gauge the seriousness of imposing a death sentence if they think it's never actually going to be carried...
Dems Want to Kill Independent Contracting Work in California
For those Californians trying to make a few extra dollars driving a limo or rideshare car, cutting hair, taking a teacher’s aide position, teaching yoga, or spending weekends refereeing youth soccer and baseball games – that all could be coming to an end if the Democrats and labor unions have...
Pension Spiking Ban Upheld by California Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Monday upheld a decision by state lawmakers to rollback one way for public workers to pad their pensions, but avoided ruling on the larger issue of whether retirement benefits can be taken away once promised. At issue in the unanimous decision was...
Last-Minute Challenge to New California Police Records Law Fails
SACRAMENTO — The California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a last-minute challenge to a pending state law that opens police records to the public and eases what currently is one of the nation's most secretive police privacy laws. The justices denied a police union's petition contending that the law should...
California High Court Sides With Police in Case Over Chases
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Monday unanimously rejected a lawsuit that sought to make it easier to hold police liable for crashes that occur during pursuits. A state law says police agencies are immune from liability if they have a written pursuit policy, provide annual training about...
State Supreme Court Blocks 3 Californias Vote
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court blocked a measure Wednesday that would divide the state in three from appearing on the November ballot. The justices ordered the secretary of state not to put the ballot initiative before voters, saying significant questions have been raised about its validity. The court now...
Will You Get To Vote on 3 Californias? Maybe Not.
SACRAMENTO — Opponents of an initiative to split California into three states asked the state Supreme Court to pull the measure from the ballot, arguing it's too drastic a change to state government to go through the normal initiative process. A lawsuit filed Monday by the Planning and Conservation League...