First-Time Offender Released Ahead of Trial, Ordered to Report to Mental Health Services
By Allison Hodge SACRAMENTO, CA – Daniel Ladd was released on pretrial conditions Monday, following arguments from…
Mental Health and Criminal Justice System: Can One Predict the Other?
By Natasha Pawar & Carson Eschen SAN FRANCISCO, CA- A recent panel with Tanya Mera, Director…
San Francisco District Attorney Holds Summit on Mental Health Crisis Facing City
By Savannah Dewberry and Joseph Shepard SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin spoke…
Yet Another Controversy over Alleged Murderer’s Competency to Stand Trial; Soon-to-Be-Judge Exits Defense, Delaying Proceedings
By Peter Eibert SACRAMENTO, CA – The trial readiness conference for alleged murderer Hong Pham had it…
Man Sent to Trial on Burglary Charge after Being Declared Mentally Incompetent Last Year
By Allison Hodge SACRAMENTO, CA– Judge Trena H. Burger-Plavan found sufficient evidence in a preliminary hearing here…
Judge Demands Written Plan for Defendant with Mental Health Concerns before Release
By Ascari Bryant SANTA BARBARA, CA – Judge Von Deroian in Santa Barbara County Superior Court Thursday…
Carjacking Case, Gutting CA Mental Healthcare 50 Years Ago Angers Judge in Sentencing Man to Prison
By Alexa Kendell, Anna Zheng, and Koda Slingluff SACRAMENTO, CA – Judge Patrick Marlette here in Sacramento…
The Vanguard Week in Review: Court Watch (June 7 to June 11, 2021)
Compiled by Ankita Joshi The Vanguard is an online news group that provides in-depth coverage of courts…
Defendant Outburst – Declares Mental Competency, Threatens to Sue Judge
By Christopher Datu and Alexander Ramirez SACRAMENTO, CA – There were some fireworks here this week…
Guest Commentary: Alameda County’s 51–50 Crisis
Alameda County’s 51–50 crisis is the highest rate of involuntary psychiatric holds in California and the worst…
Everyday Injustice Podcast Episode 104 – Appeal Analysts Discuss Policing Polling
Recent polling by Data for Progress for the Appeal taken between March 5 and March 7 found…
Judge Releases Mentally-Ill Defendant After Jail Refuses to Allow His Medication for Two Weeks
By Ankita Joshi WOODLAND, CA – Yolo County Jail’s decision not to allow required medication for a…
SF Jury Finds Military Vet ‘Not Guilty’ of Embarcadero Attacks; Public Defender Showed Vet was ‘Unconscious,’ had ‘Mental Health Crisis’
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – U.S. military veteran George Kennedy was found not guilty of two felony assault…
Commentary: Deconstructing Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel
By David M. Greenwald As someone who has watched Darren Pytel for the last 15 years, starting…
Facing Plummeting Mental Health, Freshmen Question if Cal has Done Enough
By Meenu Pamula BERKELEY— For centuries, entering college has been a transformative (and thrilling) experience– meeting new…
Defense Argues Victim’s Mental Health an Issue; Judge Still Sets Two-Felony Trial for Attacker
By Roselyn Poommai SACRAMENTO, CA – The alleged victim testifying in a preliminary hearing here in Sacramento…
Judge Sets Arson Trial Despite Defendant’s Mental Health Diagnosis
By Esha Kher SACRAMENTO, CA – Despite a mental health diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and…
Great Risk, Little Reward: Berkeley’s RAs Keep Housing Units Afloat Amid Pandemic
By Meenu Pamula Berkeley— Dissatisfaction is not uncommon amongst UC Berkeley’s Resident Assistants (RAs), but in light…
California Capitol Watch: Bills Focus on Pupils’ Mental Health
By Eric Gelber Senator Anthony Portantino has introduced two bills focusing on student mental health: SB 224…
California Capitol Watch: New Mental Health/Addiction Laws
By Eric Gelber In this, the second edition of California Capitol Watch, we will look at two…