A divided California Supreme Court held yesterday that an order altering a defendant’s sentence in habeas proceedings does not automatically trigger a right to a full resentencing hearing such that a defendant is entitled to have a judge consider all applicable laws that have the potential to reduce his penalty, including those that were adopted after his sentence became final.

The California Supreme Court yesterday upended the conviction of a death row inmate accused of fatally stabbing a 76-year-old man 42 times during a 1993 Bakersfield home-invasion robbery, ruling for the second time that botched competency proceedings in the trial court undermined the judgment. 

California should keep funding the California Serves Grant. The grant helps schools build real-world civic learning opportunities and expand student access to the State Seal of Civic Engagement, a diploma seal recognizing high school students who demonstrate civic excellence. 

Justices and court staff from the Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District hosted a special groundbreaking ceremony on August 5 to officially celebrate the start of construction of a new courthouse in Sunnyvale. The new building will improve security and accessibility, expand public waiting areas, and increase operational efficiency.