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

  • US judge orders halt to Trump administration's 'censorship' of park exhibits

    Reuters
    June 12, 2026

    A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Friday to reinstall ‌exhibits and signs on topics like slavery and climate change that it had removed from parks and monuments nationwide because they "do not align with its preferred narrative."

  • 'Worst Example of Misconduct': Appellate Court Affirms Sanctions Against Law Firm for Erroneous AI Cites

    The Recorder
    June 12, 2026

    (Subscription required) A state appellate panel has upheld $6,000 in sanctions against a Southern California law firm’s attorneys for submitting a brief marred by generative artificial intelligence mistakes in what a trial judge called “the worst example of misconduct by a lawyer that I think I’ve ever seen since I’ve been on the bench.”

  • US Supreme Court rebuffs challenge to New York law allowing lawsuits against gun industry

    Reuters
    June 15, 2026

    The U.S. Supreme Court turned away ​on Monday a gun industry challenge to a New York law that permits lawsuits against gun makers, wholesalers and dealers for ‌endangering people's safety through sales of firearms and ammunition.

  • C.A. Justices Spar Over Warrantless Search of Open Trunk

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    June 10, 2026

    Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal held yesterday that the warrantless search of a parked vehicle, which contained a shooting target and loose high-powered rifle ammunition visible in the back seat as well as a tactical vest in plain view through the partially-open lid to the rear compartment, was violative of the Fourth Amendment, drawing dissent over the circumstances under which a party can be said to have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

  • Lawmakers reach budget deal with $375 million for Prop. 36

    Daily Journal
    June 12, 2026

    (Subscription required) The plan would fund victim services and assume another prison closure.

  • Judicial Profile: San Luis Obispo County Judge Michael Frye

    Daily Journal
    June 12, 2026

    (Subscription required) San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Michael S. Frye spent decades prosecuting serious crimes. Now he says one of the most rewarding parts of judging is watching drug court participants rebuild their lives.

  • Family Link of Lawyer, Party Does Not Gut Probable Cause

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    June 12, 2026

    Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has rejected an assertion, in a malicious prosecution case, that the fact that a former putative class representative is the sister-in-law of one of the attorneys who filed the case establishes that the firm and the party responsible for the underlying matter lacked probable cause to pursue the asserted claims as a matter of law.

  • Judge Erred in Kicking ‘Likely Holdout’ Against Guilty Verdict for Not Deliberating—C.A.

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    June 12, 2026

    Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has reversed an alleged killer’s judgment of conviction relating to a decision by the trial court to kick a juror, who was the “likely” sole holdout against a finding of guilt on a second-degree murder charge, saying the dismissal was not supported when “looking at the conduct” at issue rather than the other panelists’ characterizations of her behavior.