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

  • Sacramento’s old courthouse listed for sale, sparking redevelopment possibilities

    KCRA 3
    April 17, 2026

    The Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse, a 470,000-square-foot building in downtown Sacramento, is up for sale for $13.6 million, raising questions about its future use. 

  • Governor appoints Judge Bermudez to Court of Appeal

    Imperial Valley Press
    April 18, 2026

    Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced the nomination of Imperial County Superior Court Presiding Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, signaling a continued effort to elevate veteran trial jurists to the state’s higher benches.

  • Newsom Appoints Two to L.A. Superior Court

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    April 20, 2026

    Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Los Angeles County Deputy Alternate Public Defender Erin Dixon and private practitioner Gary Tokumori to vacancies on the Los Angeles Superior Court. 

  • California Law School Leaders Join Call for ABA to 'Retain and Strengthen' Diversity Accreditation Standard

    The Recorder
    April 17, 2026

    (Subscription required) Law school professors from across California joined hundreds of academics, attorneys and others who are urging the American Bar Association Accreditation Council to “retain and strengthen" instead of repealing, a standard that governs DEI requirements in law school admissions, even amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on these rules.

  • Judge Grants Dismissal Motion in ‘Highly Unusual’ Case

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    April 20, 2026

    Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta, in what he termed “a highly unique case,” has granted a motion by the office of District Attorney Nathan Hochman to dismiss, in the interests of justice, voluntary manslaughter charges brought under the administration of his predecessor against two Torrance police officers.

  • Suit Accusing Brita of Overstating Filtration Properly Axed

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    April 17, 2026

    The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held yesterday that a District Court judge properly dismissed, without leave to amend, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of California consumer protection laws by the The Brita Products Company based on labels on filters promising “healthier” water while asserting that the products fail to remove the presence of common contaminants like arsenic and certain so-called “forever chemicals.”

  • Judicial Council to Consider Mandatory Reporting of Civil Arrests in Court Facilities

    California Courts Newsroom
    April 17, 2026

    Judicial Council members will consider a new rule at their April 24 business meeting that would require courts to report civil arrests—such as those related to federal immigration enforcement actions—that happen in superior court facilities.

  • There’s a new award for WCCUSD high schoolers helping their community

    Richmondside
    April 17, 2026

    WCCUSD high school seniors can now earn a state seal of civic engagement through a new district initiative that recognizes their efforts to improve their community. The seal, a formal recognition awarded to California public school students, highlights achievement in civics education and community involvement. It appears on transcripts and diplomas and can strengthen college and scholarship applications. This spring, WCCUSD will award seals to its first cohort.