A Yolo County judge set bail at more than double the amount recommended under the county’s bail schedule, prompting defense objections that the figure was excessive and unsupported by the record.
Judge Paul K. Richardson ordered the accused to be hospitalized despite the recommendation of a licensed psychologist for outpatient treatment, citing the accused’s unpredictable behavior and lack of cooperation with the probation department.
A Yolo County judge denied the release of an accused man from custody in a felony assault case, citing serious medical concerns and the risk of flight, and set bail at $20,000.
Chief Attorney Matt Gonzalez argued in court that the judge has no authority to order the Public Defender’s Office to take on more felony cases, warning such an order would violate attorneys’ limits and clients’ constitutional rights.
A Yolo County Superior Court hearing was postponed due to the need for a Russian interpreter for the defendant, highlighting the importance of language access in the justice system.
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office argued that it does not have the capacity to take on additional felony cases due to excessive caseloads, and warned that any court order compelling it to do so would undermine supervision and risk constitutional violations.
The defense argued that the late disclosure of critical evidence in an eight-year-old DUI case violated the accused’s right to a speedy and fair trial, but the judge denied the motion to dismiss, citing the accused’s multiple bench warrants and participation in a diversion program.
At a preliminary hearing in Yolo County, the accused was found to have sufficient evidence to proceed with three domestic violence-related charges, despite defense arguments that the evidence was insufficient due to lack of verification of how the injuries were sustained.
A routine probation violation hearing in Yolo County revealed inaccuracies in court records, raising questions about the reliability of court documentation and the potential consequences for defendants.
A long-pending multi-defendant case in Yolo County Superior Court stalled on Wednesday as the defense and prosecution failed to agree on a trial date, with the defense proposing August 2026 and the prosecution May 2026.
A Yolo County Superior Court judge allowed lawful contact between the accused and his father after testimony showed that contact was welcome and part of the accused’s progress, rejecting the prosecution’s request to maintain a strict no-contact protective order.
Two Yolo County parents accused of child endangerment had their motion for judicial diversion denied due to the alleged conduct and statutory limits, and the case will now proceed through the standard criminal process.
A single father convicted in a DUI case in Newport Beach, CA, asked for more time to complete his court-mandated community service and alcohol education program, citing difficulty balancing work and childcare responsibilities.
Deputy Public Defender Erin Dacayanan argued that the court delayed justice for an accused individual who needs mental health diversion, but Judge Paul K. Richardson ruled not to release the accused, leaving them in jail and untreated for their mental illness.
The court ruled that an ignition interlock device was a more appropriate alternative to SCRAM alcohol monitoring, due to the financial and employment burden it would place on the accused, and ordered the accused to attend AA and the Alive at 25 program.
Assistant District Attorney Ana Gonzalez argued that the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office improperly declared itself unavailable to take on more cases, while Assistant Chief Attorney Hadi Razzaq defended the office’s staffing decisions and argued that the crisis is an emergency.
A woman with a history of theft and drug offenses was denied bail and will remain in custody on a felony shoplifting charge, with the court continuing the arraignment to Nov. 24 and ordering Pretrial Services to evaluate her for treatment-based supervision options.
Judge Clara Levers denied the defense’s request for the accused to be released on supervised own recognizance, citing concerns about public safety and the accused’s “acute break from reality”.
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office’s inability to take on many new cases has led to a public defense crisis, which could have been avoided with earlier collaboration between the Public Defender’s Office and the Conflicts Panel, according to the court program representative.
A woman was improperly placed on parole despite pleading to an offense not eligible for state prison or CDCR supervision, leading a Yolo County judge to lift the parole hold and order her release.