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

  • Judge will consider dire counterclaims in Rady gender care case

    San Diego Union-Tribune
    February 10, 2026

    San Diego Superior Court Judge Matthew Braner on Wednesday parses a request from California Attorney General Rob Bonta that would force Southern California’s largest provider of specialty care for children to continue providing gender-affirming medical procedures and medications to its patients.

  • Some San Diego Superior Court online services to be limited for several days

    San Diego Union-Tribune
    February 11, 2026

    The court has a planned outage for some services starting at the close of business Wednesday as it adds criminal case dockets to its online offerings — a significant modernization. Access is expected to be restored by Tuesday, following the holiday weekend.

  • City of LA asks 9th Circuit to remove judge from homeless case

    Daily Journal
    February 10, 2026

    (Subscription required) The city also asked the circuit court to halt a contempt hearing the judge scheduled, arguing that he is exceeding his authority to interfere with elected officials' decision-making and making rulings based on information not presented in court.

  • How one lawsuit embodies local-state conflict in California water conservation

    Sacramento Bee
    February 11, 2026

    The dispute centers around the state’s determination of each local agencies’ outdoor water budget, basing it on how much land is irrigated rather than how much land could be irrigated. The lawsuit reflects a conflict that is central to the tension between state regulations and local water agencies.

  • C.A. Reverses Judgment Without Deciding That It Was Erroneous, Blocking Preclusive Effect

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    February 10, 2026

    Div. Three of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has taken the unusual action of reversing a judgment without determining whether it was correct or erroneous, telling the trial court, on remand, to dismiss the election-related petition as moot.

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Roger Ito

    Daily Journal
    February 10, 2026

    (Subscription required) Known for handling murder, gang and postconviction cases, Norwalk Superior Court Judge Roger T. Ito now spends one day a week presiding over complex civil personal injury trials. Attorneys say the veteran criminal judge applies the same preparation, even temperament and respect for jurors that have defined his felony courtroom for decades. 

  • Sonoma jury hits drug-using driver with $31M verdict

    Daily Journal
    February 10, 2026

    (Subscription required) A Sonoma County jury on Wednesday awarded $31 million to a woman injured in a head-on collision with a driver who admitted to taking multiple medications and smoking marijuana before getting behind the wheel.

  • Save a Trip to the Courthouse: Contest Your Traffic Ticket Online

    California Courts Newsroom
    February 9, 2026

    Thousands of Californians get traffic tickets every year. To contest the ticket, drivers traditionally appear before a judicial officer or submit their case in writing by mail. A new online tool expanding around the state offers a more convenient alternative, saving drivers both time and expense.