Johnson v. Baker Docket: 20-17202, Opinion Date: January 26, 2022. In an action brought under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), the district court entered an injunction, requiring Nevada prison officials to allow the plaintiff to possess no more than a half-ounce of scented oil in his cell for personal use with his prayers. The Ninth Circuit affirmed. Noting RLUIPA's expansive protections for religious liberty, the court concluded that Nevada’

People v. Tirado Docket: S257658, Opinion Date: January 20, 2022. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the court of appeal affirming the decision of the trial court to sentence Defendant to three years for robbery with a twenty-five-years-to-life enhancement under Cal. Penal Code 12022.53(d), holding that the trial court erred in denying Defendant's motion to strike. A jury convicted Defendant of second degree robbery, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and driving u

California v. Zamora Docket: G059259 (Fourth Appellate District), Opinion Date: January 14, 2022. Israel Gutierrez Zamora was convicted on multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping and assault with a semiautomatic weapon. He petitioned for disclosure of juror identifying information pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 237. After denying the disclosure petition as untimely, the trial court sentenced Zamora to a total term of 98 years to life. Zamora then filed a

People v. Langi Docket: A160262 (First Appellate District), Opinion Date: January 12, 2022. In 2007, Langi was convicted of the second-degree murder of Martinez. Langi was one of four men who beat and robbed a group that included Martinez, who died after someone in Langi’s group punched him, causing him to fall and hit his head. Langi’s Penal Code section 1170.95 resentencing petition was filed before the 2021 amendment, which authorizes resentencing of persons convicted of m

People v. Porter Docket: F080921 (Fifth Appellate District), Opinion Date: January 6, 2022. Porter was driving a getaway car following the 2008 robbery of a gas station convenience store. When the car was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers, Porter’s passenger shot at the officers. The passenger was apprehended. Porter turned himself in. Porter was convicted on two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life with

People v. Turner Docket: A159822 (First Appellate District), Opinion Date: December 23, 2021. Turner was charged with committing two...

12/17/2021—The Committee on Revision of the Penal Code says tough sentencing laws have done little for public safety while driving up...

California v. Benzler Docket: C092779 (Third Appellate District), Opinion Date: December 14, 2021. Defendant Allen Benzler was sentenced...

People v. Superior Court (Jones) Court: Supreme Court of California, Docket: S255826, Opinion Date: December 2, 2021.The Supreme Court...

Following a parole consideration hearing resulting in a denial of parole or a stipulation of unsuitability, the prisoner may file a BPH...

California v. Ervin Docket: G059731 (Fourth Appellate District), Opinion Date: November 30, 2021. In 1991, petitioner Nokkuwa Ervin and...

People v. Montes Docket: B312152 (Second Appellate District), Opinion Date: November 23, 2021. Defendant was convicted of two counts of...

People v. Fisher Docket: A161128 (First Appellate District), Opinion Date: November 16, 2021. Fisher was stopped for reckless driving and...