(Subscription required) San Francisco conflict panel director Julie Traun told Judge Harry Dorfman that record-low felony clearance rates--not higher filings--are driving the county's defense lawyer shortage, warning the criminal justice system "cannot survive if everything goes to trial."

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A 30-year-old California law that makes it a crime to file a knowingly false complaint against a police officer, and requires those who file complaints to be told they could face charges under the law, violates freedom of speech by deterring people from reporting police misconduct, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held Friday that tribal officials are not shielded by qualified immunity as to a state enforcement action seeking damages against them, in their personal capacities.