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

  • Actual Viewing Not Vital for Liability Over Medical Data Leak

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    May 15, 2026

    The California Supreme Court held yesterday that a statute providing a cause of action for disclosures of confidential medical records only requires a showing that a leak exposed a user’s information to “a significant risk of unauthorized access,” disapproving a line of cases saying that a plaintiff must prove that the information was “actually viewed.”

    Related: Supreme Court of California - Opinion

  • Stanislaus County considers $6.75M project to remodel juvenile justice courtrooms

    Modesto Bee
    May 18, 2026

    Stanislaus County could proceed with a $6.75 million project to upgrade Juvenile Justice courtroom space. A staff report for Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting says the county’s two Juvenile Justice courtrooms are antiquated and no longer meet standards of the Judicial Council of California.

  • California Chief Justice to Help Dedicate New Courthouse in Santa Rosa

    California Courts Newsroom
    May 19, 2026

    The construction project will provide a new 6-story, 15-courtroom courthouse of approximately 170,000 square feet in the city of Santa Rosa. The building will consolidate court services, and address overcrowding and security issues

  • 2022 Law Limiting High Term Sentences May Gut Plea Deals

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    May 19, 2026

    The California Supreme Court held yesterday that amendments to Penal Code §1170(b), adopted in 2022, that limit a sentencing judge to the middle term absent a stipulation by the defendant or jury findings as to certain aggravating circumstances apply to all non-final judgments even if a high term was imposed as part of a pre-enactment, negotiated plea deal that resulted in more serious charges being dismissed.

    Related: Supreme Court of California - Opinion

  • Judicial commission publicly admonishes L.A. judge over remarks to jurors about English skills

    Daily Journal
    May 20, 2026

    (Subscription required) The Commission on Judicial Performance on Tuesday publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason for comments to two prospective jurors that the commission said were rude, discourteous and created the appearance of bias or prejudice.

  • Hearing Motions in Limine Does Not Count as Starting Trial

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    May 19, 2026

    The Third District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a defendant’s speedy trial rights were violated where the case was called on the last day of the statutory window and the judge heard multiple motions in limine but put jury selection over for the next day due to a new court policy to not summon potential panelists on Mondays.

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Alan Honeycutt

    Daily Journal
    May 19, 2026

    (Subscription required) Torrance Superior Court Judge Alan B. Honeycutt says lessons in empathy learned as a child living in Iran continue to shape his approach to judging nearly two decades into his judicial career. 

  • Huntington Beach hit with first major penalties under new housing law

    Daily Journal
    May 19, 2026

    (Subscription required) San Diego Judge Katherine A. Bacal ordered Huntington Beach to pay $160,000 in civil penalties for violating California's Housing Element Law, marking the first major enforcement action under a 2024 statute empowering the state to financially penalize cities that defy housing mandates.

    Related: LAist