People v. Morgan (Cal., Feb. 26, 2026, No. S286493) 2026 WL 533311, at *1–2 Summary: During a confrontation with law enforcement, Morgan aimed a firearm at police officers, “racked” its slide, and pulled the trigger. The weapon did not discharge and when officers eventually recovered it, it was unloaded. Defendant…
People v. Flores (Cal. Ct. App., Feb. 11, 2026, No. A171602) 2026 WL 378414, at *1 Summary: Flores pleaded no contest to felony possession of fentanyl for sale and was sentenced to two years of formal probation with a condition permitting warrantless searches of Flores’s electronic devices. On appeal, Flores…
People v. Zapata (Cal. Ct. App., Feb. 10, 2026, No. D084024) 2026 WL 366837, at *1 Summary: A “Perkins operation” is when an undercover operative is placed in a cell with the suspect to obtain information from the suspect. The term derives its name from Illinois v. Perkins (1990) 496…
People v. Heaps (Cal. Ct. App., Feb. 2, 2026, No. B329296) 2026 WL 266465, at *1–4 Summary: The Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel applies in state criminal trials. (Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) 372 U.S.) That right is violated when a judge communicates with a jury during deliberations “without affording defendant…
THE PEOPLE, Petitioner, v. THE SUPERIOR COURT OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Respondent; HAILEY MORGAN LASHELLE, Real Party in Interest. (Cal. Ct. App., Jan. 9, 2026, No. E086512) 2026 WL 73966, at *1–4 Summary: Lashelle (defendant) was charged by Petitioner Riverside County District Attorney’s office (the People) with misdemeanor driving under the…
People v. Aguilar (Cal. Ct. App., Jan. 2, 2026, No. D083172) 2026 WL 17897, at *1 Summary: Aguilar was convicted by a jury of multiple offenses for his involvement in a shootout with San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers. Before trial, the People exercised a peremptory challenge to strike a…
People v. Kopp (Cal., Dec. 29, 2025, No. S257844) 2025 WL 3755596, at *1–5 Summary: Co-defendant Hernandez challenged various punitive fines, along with other ancillary costs, ordered as part of a criminal sentencing. The California Supreme Court held that a challenge to the amount of a criminal fine should initially…
APRIL D. MYRES, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM, Defendant and Respondent. (Cal. Ct. App., Dec. 26, 2025, No. A170516) 2025 WL 3731539, at *1 Summary: The Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA; Gov. Code, § 7522 et seq.; Stats. 2012, ch. 296, §…
People v. Cabalar (Cal. Ct. App., Dec. 16, 2025, No. G065108) 2025 WL 3640515, at *1–2 Summary: Penal Code section 1001.36 creates a mental health diversion program has put in place a pretrial means of getting individuals mental health treatment and resources that meet their needs in order to reduce…
Kuhnel v. Appellate Division of Superior Court of Contra Costa County (Cal. Ct. App., Dec. 17, 2025, No. A163307) 2025 WL 3652126, at *1–2 Summary: Kuhnel seeks a writ of mandate directing the trial court to terminate her probation on the ground she is entitled to the retroactive benefit of…