The California Supreme Court ruled to eliminate hundreds of dollars in administrative fees for a reputed Mexican Mafia member, reinforcing protections for indigent defendants and emphasizing that poverty should not lead to harsher punishments, building on the landmark 2019 decision in People v. Dueñas.
The California Supreme Court rejected Republican efforts to block the inclusion of Proposition 50 on the November ballot, which supports a new, more liberal congressional map, affirming the state's move towards partisan redistricting backed by Democratic leaders and Governor Gavin Newsom.
The California Supreme Court denied a GOP request to delay redistricting legislation, allowing Democratic efforts to proceed, including a proposed November special election on new congressional maps, amid ongoing political and financial debates.
The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of environmental groups, stating that the state's utilities commission's decision to cut rooftop solar incentives could be challenged in court, reversing a previous appellate court decision. The case concerns the reduction of credits for solar energy sent to the grid, which the environmental groups argue violates state law. The ruling emphasizes that the CPUC is not above the law, potentially opening the door for more legal challenges against utility decisions affecting solar incentives in California.
The California Supreme Court ruled that a lower court must revisit its decision to uphold a 75% cut in payments to rooftop solar owners for excess energy, a move that could impact the future of solar adoption and utility regulation in the state.
The California Supreme Court has ruled that UC Berkeley can convert the historic People's Park into student housing, ending a lengthy legal battle. The decision follows a new law that exempts housing projects from noise impact studies under the California Environmental Quality Act. The $312 million project will provide housing for 1,100 students and preserve over 60% of the park as open space. The park, a symbol of counterculture and protest since the 1960s, has been a contentious site for development.
The California Supreme Court has ruled in favor of UC Berkeley's plan to build student housing on People’s Park, dismissing a lawsuit from neighborhood groups and activists who argued the project violated environmental regulations and would create excessive noise. The decision, influenced by a new state law AB 1307, allows the university to proceed with constructing 1,100 student beds and 100 supportive beds for formerly homeless residents, addressing a significant housing shortage.
A judge in California has recommended that ex-Trump election lawyer John Eastman be disbarred for his actions in leading efforts to challenge the 2020 election loss. The recommendation will be considered by the California Supreme Court, and Eastman has the opportunity to appeal the ruling. This marks a significant development in holding lawyers accountable for promoting false election fraud theories on behalf of Donald Trump.