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

  • State Bar found LA attorney faked an ICE investigation in string of scams. He's facing disbarment

    LAist
    December 1, 2025

    Zargarof’s license is currently suspended, according to State Bar records. In October, more than three years after the email about the fake ICE investigation, the State Bar Court recommended Zargarof be disbarred. They found that Zargarof, who was already working for Lui on another matter, knew the purported ICE email was fake. There was no urgent ICE investigation.

  • East County man issued “Cease and Desist” notice from State Bar for unauthorized practice of law

    Contra Costa Herald
    December 1, 2025

    According to Justia, in 2023 [Shannon Murphy] sued the Antioch Police Department for civil rights violations, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California and last year, Murphy sued that court’s Office of the Clerk. According to Trellis, in 2021, he sued O’Reilly Auto Parts who, in response, filed a motion to declare Murphy a vexatious litigant. Also, in 2021, according to casemine.com, he sued the I.R.S. Taxpayer Advocate.

  • The long and short of [U.S.] Supreme Court oral arguments

    SCOTUSBlog
    December 1, 2025

    This article examines how oral argument time has evolved at the Supreme Court over nearly seven decades, using data from Oyez (procured with the help of Jack Truscott) covering the period from the 1955-56 term through the current one. What emerges is the story of a precipitous decline in total argument time since the 1960s, followed by a recent uptick in average argument length per case as the court’s docket has shrunk.

  • 9th Circuit revives California law requiring background checks for ammo purchases

    San Francisco Chronicle
    December 1, 2025

    California’s requirement of background checks for buyers of firearms ammunition was revived Monday, at least for now, when a federal appeals court blocked an earlier ruling that the 2019 law was unconstitutional. 

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Stephanie Story

    Daily Journal
    December 2, 2025

    (Subscription required) She now manages a busy and emotionally volatile family law calendar at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. "I didn't realize the volume," she said. "So many cases every single day. I wish I could spend an hour with each one, but I can't, so I need things to be quick and to the point. I need to know what's going on."

  • Column | Attacks on federal judges are putting our democracy at risk

    Daily Journal
    December 1, 2025

    (Subscription required) Republican lawmakers' escalating attacks on federal judges reflect a broader campaign to intimidate the judiciary, threatening its independence and the rule of law.

  • Here are 15 new laws that Californians must start following in 2026

    San Francisco Chronicle
    December 1, 2025

    California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom approved more than 900 new laws this year, including measures aimed at countering the influence of President Donald Trump, lowering drug costs and requiring landlords to maintain refrigerators and stoves in apartments.

  • Public defenders and prosecutors warn of crisis fueled by Prop 36

    Daily Journal
    December 1, 2025

    (Subscription required) San Francisco's justice system faces mounting strain as public defenders and prosecutors struggle with soaring caseloads, staffing shortages and unfunded mandates. The problems are seen elsewhere in the state, with disagreement about the causes and solutions.