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

  • Nothing racist about wolf in sheep’s clothing, state Supreme Court rules. Tiger in jungle is different stripe

    San Francisco Chronicle
    June 2, 2026

    The two cases were among four appeals ruled upon by the court this week that focused on the Racial Justice Act, a first-in-the-nation state law that took effect in 2021 and invalidated criminal convictions or sentences in which any participant — lawyers for either side, the judge, jurors or an expert witness — showed racial bias or used discriminatory language, even unintentionally.

    Related: Metropolitan News-Enterprise

  • CA Supreme Court Reverses Conviction, Death Sentence in Triple-Murder Case

    My News LA
    June 1, 2026

    The state’s highest court found that Samreth Sam Pan’s attorney “made the strategic choice to concede Pan’s guilt of second-degree murder in an effort to avoid the death penalty,” despite “Pan’s express wish to maintain his innocence.”The panel noted that the defense attorney “deprived Pan of his right to choose the fundamental objective of his defense,” finding that his conviction must be reversed and that the case has to be sent back to a courtroom in Los Angeles County.

    Related: Law 360

  • Death Sentence Upheld For Father Who Buried Slain Children In Angeles National Forest

    Patch
    June 1, 2026

    In a 107-page opinion, Associate Justice Leondra Kruger wrote on behalf of the panel's majority that the jury was presented with evidence that the defendant "committed multiple acts of abuse and mistreatment spanning weeks — if not months — before the fatal blows that ultimately killed both children."

  • California High Court’s New Judicial Removal Process Welcomed

    Bloomberg Law
    June 3, 2026

    The state high court decided on May 28 that California Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6—the judicial disqualification process for judges believed to be prejudiced against a party—violates the separation of powers and can be challenged.