Div. Five of this district’s Court of Appeal has upheld a public-interest attorney-fee award of $1.5 million against the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, which runs 11 cemeteries throughout the county, relating to claims that the office deceptively categorized a fee in burial contracts as one dedicated to the “care” of the properties when in fact $80 million of the funds were allegedly used to resolve sexual abuse claims in 2007.

(Subscription required) The California Supreme Court left intact rulings that state election law preempts local charter provisions regulating access to the polls.

For a violation of the law, “marijuana in a vehicle at least must be of a usable quantity, in eminently usable condition, and readily accessible to an occupant,” Justice Goodwin Liu wrote in a 7-0 decision dismissing charges against the passenger of a car in Sacramento.

(Subscription required) Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero said federal immigration authorities have appeared at at least 17 California courthouses in the past year, prompting courts to expand remote proceedings and seek guidance, while the Supreme Court prepares to address a growing backlog of Racial Justice Act appeals.