NewsLinks is a collection of recent news items relating primarily to the California judicial branch. NewsLinks does not verify or endorse the accuracy or fairness of the news items, and the views expressed in opinions, editorials, and commentaries are those of the writers only. Some news articles linked from this page may require a subscription or be behind a paywall.

NewsLinks

  • Invitation to Comment: Appointing the Spouse of a Judicial Colleague as Minor’s Counsel

    California Courts Newsroom
    June 17, 2026

    The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) invites public comment on a draft formal opinion addressing ethical guidelines a judge must consider when appointing the attorney spouse of a judicial colleague as minor’s counsel in a case before that judge.

  • Lawyer’s Fibbing to Jury Justified New Trial on Damages

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    June 17, 2026

    The Court of Appeal for this district has affirmed an order granting a new trial on damages to the plaintiff in a personal injury case, agreeing with a Los Angeles Superior Court judge that there were multiple instances of misconduct on the part of the defendant’s lawyer including a false statement to jurors that a medical doctor who was about to testify as an expert witness had been sued by 136 patients for fraudulent billings.

  • [U.S.] Supreme Court will decide whether criminal cases must have 12 jurors, in Florida case

    Associated Press
    June 15, 2026

    Florida uses six-person juries for all criminal cases that don’t involve the death penalty. Five other states, Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts and Utah, also conduct some criminal trials with six-member juries.

  • US Supreme Court rebuffs challenge to New York law allowing lawsuits against gun industry

    Reuters
    June 15, 2026

    The U.S. Supreme Court turned away ​on Monday a gun industry challenge to a New York law that permits lawsuits against gun makers, wholesalers and dealers for ‌endangering people's safety through sales of firearms and ammunition.