Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a defendant who crashed into a minivan while driving intoxicated, causing a subsequent deadly collision by a motorcyclist with the wreckage of his inoperable car, was not entitled to have his murder charges set aside based on the fact that he was not driving at the time of the decedent’s accident.

A judge abused her discretion by renewing a stay-away order imposed on an ex-husband for a period of less than five years, Div. Two of the Court of Appeal for this district declared yesterday.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held Friday that case law establishing that a plaintiff who pursues statutory damages against a business under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, based on unequal access, must show a bona fide intent to use the defendant’s services only governs if an allegedly infringing barrier actually deterred engagement and is inapplicable where the disabled party actually transacted with the business.

(Subscription required) Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II said Los Angeles Superior Court is partnering with Stanford, UCLA, and RAND to improve efficiency and access to justice, calling the court a "guinea pig" for reform.