• Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact

    Pew Research Center
    June 17, 2026

    Some people are bringing AI into their homes. About a third of Americans say they have a smart speaker, and smaller shares have a doorbell or thermostat with AI features. But Americans —including younger adults— are deeply skeptical of AI. More adults predict that AI will have a negative rather than positive impact on them and on society. And majorities think AI is advancing too quickly and will put their personal information at risk.

  • Invitation to Comment: Appointing the Spouse of a Judicial Colleague as Minor’s Counsel

    California Courts Newsroom
    June 17, 2026

    The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) invites public comment on a draft formal opinion addressing ethical guidelines a judge must consider when appointing the attorney spouse of a judicial colleague as minor’s counsel in a case before that judge.

  • Lawyer’s Fibbing to Jury Justified New Trial on Damages

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    June 17, 2026

    The Court of Appeal for this district has affirmed an order granting a new trial on damages to the plaintiff in a personal injury case, agreeing with a Los Angeles Superior Court judge that there were multiple instances of misconduct on the part of the defendant’s lawyer including a false statement to jurors that a medical doctor who was about to testify as an expert witness had been sued by 136 patients for fraudulent billings.

  • OC judge throws out human trafficking conviction of third-striker because of racial bias

    The Orange County Register
    June 17, 2026

    Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard King last month overturned the 2017 conviction, ruling that the detective’s testimony — that “pimps are generally Black” — violated the state’s Racial Justice Act.