A divided California Supreme Court held yesterday that the question of whether the Sexually Violent Predator Act violates equal protection principles by providing covered defendants with a right to a jury trial as to involuntary civil commitment decisions only if they demand it—unlike other competency statutory schemes that require a personal advisement and waiver—is only subject to rational basis review.

(Subscription required) A former public defender, Judge William L. Sadler has presided over a steady stream of murder trials while earning respect from prosecutors and defense attorneys for his even hand and concern for mentally ill defendants.

(Subscription required) Attorneys Paul Clement and Erin Murphy have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down California's ban on large-capacity magazines, but legal experts say the justices may hesitate to take up the issue without five votes lined up.

(Subscription required) Santa Barbara Superior Court will raise its e-filing fee from $6.45 to $10 per envelope on Sept. 1 to recover costs from technology upgrades and expanding digital case infrastructure.