People v. Medrano, 2019 WL 6487272 (Cal.App. 5 Dist.), 21 (Cal.App. 5 Dist., 2019) Natural and probable consequences doctrine and attempted murder The Fifth District Court of Appeal held that Senate Bill 1437 not only abrogated the natural and probable consequences doctrine to murder charges but attempted murder charges also.…
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Police may seize a dashboard camera without a warrant after an accident
People v. Tran, 2019 WL 5958335 (Cal.App. 4 Dist.) (Cal.App. 4 Dist., 2019) Background: Robert Tran was convicted of reckless driving, in violation of Vehicle Code section 23103, subdivision (a) and was sentenced to three years’ probation with 30 days in custody. Tran appealed the trial court’s denial of his…
Police cannot automatically conduct a pat down search of a robbery suspect for weapons
In re Jeremiah S. (Cal. Ct. App., Oct. 18, 2019, No. A155856) 2019 WL 5302782, at *1–7 The robbery, detention, pat search and arrest arrest of Jeremiah S. On July 2, 2018, Ornin Gosuwin was carrying a shoulder bag and holding an iPhone as she walked on Spear Street toward…
Mayor Breed Calls for Closure of SF County Jail #4 by 2021
History of San Francisco County Jail #4 The San Francisco County Jail at 850 Bryant St. is formally known as County Jail #4 is described by the Sheriff’sDepartment as “a traditional linear jail facility located on the 7th floor of the Hall of Justice. This jail is the maximum security…
Presence of a small amount of marijuana in a car does not provide probable cause for a vehicle search.
People v. Lee, No. D073740, 2019 WL 4871480, at *3–10 (Cal. Ct. App. Oct. 3, 2019) Vehicle stop and warrantless search of the vehicle In 2017 San Diego Police Officers Robles and Cooper stopped a gold-colored Cadillac DeVille with no front license plate and tinted windows in violation of Vehicle…
California Court of Appeal Rules Possession of Burglary Tools Includes Constructive Possession
People v. Bay, 2019 WL 4564854 (Cal.App. 1 Dist.), 1 (Cal.App. 1 Dist., 2019) The Stop and Search A Napa County Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol at 2:00 a.m. on September 9, 2017, when he noticed a Cadillac SUV parked illegally near a popular overlook. The deputy approached and saw…
Counsel Must Be Appointed on Immigration Motion to Vacate a Conviction
People v. Millan Rodriguez, 2019 WL 3852665 (Cal.App. 4 Dist.) Vacating a conviction because of inability to understand immigration consequences (Penal Code Section 1473.7) On January 1, 2017, Penal Code section 1473.7 went into effect. It allows a defendant to challenge a conviction based on a guilty plea where prejudicial…
Drug conviction does not necessarily result in removal order for undocumented immigrants
Marinelarena v. Barr, 2019 WL 3227458; (9th Cir. July 18, 2019) Immigrants with drug convictions are eligible for immigration relief when the record of conviction is vague as to the type of controlled substance. Conviction for conspiracy to sell and transport a controlled substance Marinelarena, a native and citizen of…
US Supreme Court: Right to jury trial for parole violation that results in a mandatory minimum
United States v. Haymond (2019) ___U.S.___ [139 S.Ct. 2369], 2019 U.S. LEXIS 4398; No. 17-1672 Supreme Court of the United States,, Decided June 26, 2019. Imposition of a new and higher mandatory prison term for a parole violation requires jury trial After serving a prison sentence of 38 months for…
Removing Barriers to Employment from Criminal Records
Californians with criminal records face obstacles and barriers to employment. For example, Uber has announced more intense screening of its drivers, including background checks every two years and checks on new criminal and DUI charges. But recent laws limit how employers may use an applicant’s criminal history and open licensed…