Further investigation revealed that Alamarez presented himself as an attorney and encouraged clients to refer to him as such “for years,” while complaints and witness statements indicate that Alamarez’s clients from the Filipino community were operating under the belief that he was an attorney. Some were said to have known him as a pastor at their church, where he would recruit clients.

(Subscription required) In a unanimous, published opinion, the Fourth District Court of Appeal panel concluded that plaintiffs do not have standing to sue under the Automated License Plate Recognition statute by alleging only a “subjective belief” a data collector invaded their privacy.

A federal judge has blocked California’s “Truth in Recycling” law, which would restrict the familiar chasing-arrows symbol to packaging that is actually recycled at meaningful rates. Industry groups hail the ruling as a free-speech victory, while environmental advocates warn it undermines efforts to curb misleading marketing. The fight comes amid sobering data: Less than 10% of single-use plastics are recycled in California, even as millions of tons of waste burden landfills, oceans and taxpayer cleanups.

San Bernardino County judges and court staff hosted a special dedication ceremony on July 8 to officially celebrate the reopening of the expanded and renovated San Bernardino Juvenile Dependency Courthouse. Renovation improved security, expanded public waiting areas, and added accessible courtrooms and lactations rooms.