A California appeals court on Monday overturned a sex abuse conviction against a former University of California, Los Angeles, gynecologist and ordered the case to be retried. A three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled Dr. James Heaps was denied a fair trial because the judge did not share with his defense counsel a note by the court’s foreman pointing out concerns that one juror lacked sufficient English to carry out their duties.

(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the appointment of 10 judges to California's superior courts, naming new jurists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Alameda, Fresno, Lake, Orange, San Mateo and Shasta counties.

The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday, Jan. 29 that police officers must find marijuana in a condition that’s ready to be smoked if they are going to charge a driver with an open container violation, according to CalMatters. 

(Subscription required) Tiny, hard-to-read font in an arbitration agreement does not, by itself, automatically render an employment pact unenforceable, the California Supreme Court held Monday in a case closely watched by business and workers’ rights groups.