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.
Tre Kenneth Clay, a father accused of murdering his two-month-old son, Elijah Clay, faced a preliminary hearing in Solano County Superior Court, where expert witnesses testified that medical evidence points to natural causes rather than trauma in the baby’s death.
Judge Tom Dyer postponed a habeas corpus case in Yolo County Superior Court due to a lack of discovery and difficulty communicating with the accused, rescheduling it for December 5, 2025.
Judge Catherine Hohenwarter ordered a hold on the accused in Yolo County Superior Court, despite defense objections and mitigating factors, after Deputy Sheriff David Coronado testified that the accused had inflicted corporal injury on a cohabiting partner and battery against a cohabiting partner.
The accused in People v. Yerg appeared for the third time in court, requesting an extension due to financial hardship, which was granted but waived his right to a speedy trial.
Judge Carlton P. Biggs granted a man convicted of driving under the influence an alternative sentence of 120 days in the MOST program due to medical concerns, after the jail twice refused to pre-book him.
A man charged with first-degree murder in Yolo County Superior Court had his motion to reduce the charge denied, with the prosecution arguing that he acted with premeditation and malice.
Deputy Public Defender Stephen Betz requested a mental health diversion hearing for an accused facing several felony charges be rescheduled to Nov. 17, 2025, due to the extensive briefings required and the court’s busy calendar.
Judge Clara Levers rejected the prosecution’s request to keep a man in custody and instead released him under Post-Release Community Supervision, citing his moderate attempts to engage with treatment.
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office is facing an overload of cases due to increased complexity of laws and digital evidence, leading to potential release of incarcerated people due to lack of defense attorneys and a call for immediate funding and resources.
A recent assault case in Yolo County Superior Court highlighted the potential for language barriers to cause confusion and injustice, as the defense argued that miscommunication made it difficult to determine what actually occurred between the accused and his spouse.
Judge Clara M. Levers released a man on supervised own recognizance (SOR) after multiple parole violations, despite the prosecution’s argument to keep him in custody, citing the failure of the system to rehabilitate him.
Judge David Rosenberg dismissed felony domestic violence charges against a man after his wife admitted in court that she fabricated the entire incident, including scratching her own neck to create the appearance of an attack.
Judge Teresa M. Caffese denied a motion to compel filed by Deputy Public Defender Christopher Fox-Lent, rejecting his request for the San Francisco Police Department to provide information on replica firearm cases, which he argued could prevent jury misconceptions.
Deputy District Attorney Stefanie Decillis requested that an expecting mother be taken into custody for a misdemeanor DUI charge, but the court deemed it excessive and placed her on supervised own recognizance instead.
Judge Simon Frankel heard testimony in a preliminary hearing involving two codefendants accused of attempted robbery and assault, and ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold the defendants on Counts 1 and 3, though he was uncertain about Count 2.
A homeless man with disabilities facing felony charges in Yolo and Solano counties was granted a new court date by Judge David Rosenberg after citing a medical appointment and lack of transportation.
Judge Catherine Hohenwarter released a man on his own recognizance due to the unavailability of a critical witness, and the trial was moved to May 2026.