Deputy Public Defender Kate Robinson objected to a protective order in a DUI injury case, arguing it was too restrictive and prevented her from effectively representing her client, delaying the setting of a new pretrial date.

A man facing two misdemeanor charges was denied release during a competency hearing in Yolo County Superior Court, preventing him from accessing mental health treatment outside of jail, despite the fact that his doctor had diagnosed him with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and he had refused to take his medication while in custody.

Judge Richard Pacheco heard multiple cases involving people struggling with substance use disorder, highlighting the challenges courts face in balancing accountability, treatment and public safety, while research shows that social networks and environmental factors significantly predict relapse.

Federal Public Defenders Rebecca Abel and Kyra Nickell successfully defended a client accused of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during an immigration protest, marking their sixth trial involving alleged protest-related violence tied to immigration enforcement.