Judge Takes Strong Issue with Incarcerated Waiting Many Months for Mental Health Treatment, Threatens to Hold State in Contempt
By S. Priana Aquino ALAMEDA, CA – A man was set for a preliminary hearing at 8:30…
Curious Judge Grants Mental Health Diversion for Woman with Bulimia Eating Disorder
By Eric Rodriguez SANTA BARBARA, CA – A woman who has been in and out of the…
Grandfather Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison for Sexually Abusing His Granddaughter
By Catherine Hamilton RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside County Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz sentenced *”AA—” to 30…
Defendant Denied No Bail Release in Case of Elderly Endangerment; Parents ‘Fear for their Safety’
By Ramneet Singh WOODLAND, CA – Yolo County Superior Court Judge Tom Dyer late Friday denied supervised…
Governor Newsom signs C.R.I.S.E.S. Act into Law – a Big Step for Policing Alternatives
By Kritika Singh SACRAMENTO— Governor Gavin Newsom of California last week signed Assembly Bill (AB) 118, also…
Timothy Ortiz, Joseph Helo, and Juan Gutierrez Not Related, but Stories Reflect Lack of Mental Health Treatment Options
By Casey Rawlings SANTA BARBARA, CA – Three unrelated defendants appeared in Santa Barbara County Superior Court…
Judge Denies Second Motion by Defense to Provide Mental Health Counseling
By Ava Schwartzapfel RIVERSIDE, CA – A motion for mental health diversion for Stevy Galvan was formally…
Governor Signs Legislation Attacking Homelessness
By David M. Greenwald Executive Editor Los Angeles, CA – Beginning well before the pandemic, a huge…
Psychologist Testifies Murder Suspect Killed Father’s Girlfriend because He Believed She Was Going to Perform ‘Witchcraft’ on Him
By Amy Berberyan, Darling Gonzalez, and Jake Romero INDIO, CA – Forensic psychologist Jennifer Bosch testified in…
Deshon Marman Trial on Third Day – Officer and Civilian Witnesses Testify
By Alana Bleimann SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Two witnesses testified Tuesday here in San Francisco County Superior…
Stabbing Hearing Highlights Issues about Woman’s Options for Mental Recovery
By Amy Berberyan RIVERSIDE, CA – Michelle Arnold’s mental health issues raised concerns here in Riverside County…
Judge Declares Defendant Incompetent after She Refuses to Appear for Her Hearing
By Elizabeth Garabedian SANTA MARIA, CA – Judge Gustavo Lavayen here Thursday in Santa Barbara County Superior…
Guest Commentary: We Need Better Mental Health Services in Prison
By Jamar Glenn My name is Jamar Glenn, a 40-year-old father, son, sibling and activist in my…
Trial Set for Man Suffering from Mental Health Problems in Killing of Woman Said to Be Girlfriend and Social Worker
By Fiona Davis SACRAMENTO, CA – A man—described as suffering from mental health disorders—was…
Vanguard Court Watch Articles of the Week
Chilling Video Shows Man Getting Shot, Assailants Driving Away in Attempted Murder Case By Ganga Nair Nair…
Judge Allows Homeless Defendants to Move Out of State While Waiting for Trial
By Dario McCarty WOODLAND, CA — Two homeless defendants requested here in Yolo County Superior Court to…
Defendant Waiting for Mental Health Evaluation Pleads for Release by Court – Already in Custody for 90 Days
By Casey Rawlings SANTA BARBARA, CA – Defendant Paul Renae Santos had a court appearance in Santa…
Man’s Mental Health Evaluation Postponed Because of Defective Jail Phone – His Attorney Calls It ‘Shocking and Infuriating’
By Casey Rawlings SANTA BARBARA, CA – David Howard Heaven appeared in Santa Barbara County Superior…
Judge Denies Mental Health Diversion for Man Accused of Attempted Murder, Says Mental Illness Too Severe, Sets Trial
By Angela Patel RIVERSIDE, CA – A defendant diagnosed with severe schizoaffective disorder was denied mental health…
Judge Offers Last Chance for Health-Challenged Man to Enroll in Community Service Program
By Annette Wong-Toi SACRAMENTO, CA — Shadeven Harper swears he’s had a series of health conditions—from COVID-19…