California Case Commentaries

Maxwell v. Superior Court: Validity of Conflict Waiver in Defendants’ Retained Counsel Agreements

Date: Jan 29, 1982

Maxwell v. Superior Court: Validity of Conflict Waiver in Defendants’ Retained Counsel Agreements Introduction Maxwell v. Superior Court is a pivotal 1982 decision by the Supreme Court of California...

Ramos v. People: Unconstitutional Jury Instructions in Capital Sentencing

Date: Jan 26, 1982

Ramos v. People: Unconstitutional Jury Instructions in Capital Sentencing Introduction Ramos v. People, 30 Cal.3d 553 (1982), adjudicated by the Supreme Court of California, is a landmark case...

California Supreme Court Confirms Section 1385 Authority to Modify Death Penalty Sentencing

Date: Jan 1, 1982

California Supreme Court Confirms Section 1385 Authority to Modify Death Penalty Sentencing Introduction The case of The People v. Dermon Louise Williams (30 Cal.3d 470) presents a pivotal moment in...

In re Gordon Robert Hall: Establishing Standards for Habeas Corpus Based on Newly Discovered Evidence and Legal Representation

Date: Dec 18, 1981

In re Gordon Robert Hall: Establishing Standards for Habeas Corpus Based on Newly Discovered Evidence and Legal Representation Introduction In re Gordon Robert Hall on Habeas Corpus (30 Cal.3d 408)...

Negligence Liability for Natural Land Conditions: Sprecher v. Adamson Companies

Date: Dec 8, 1981

Negligence Liability for Natural Land Conditions: Sprecher v. Adamson Companies Introduction Sprecher v. Adamson Companies et al., 30 Cal.3d 358 (1981), is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of...

Implied Malice in Vehicular Homicide: Analysis of People v. Watson (1981)

Date: Dec 1, 1981

Implied Malice in Vehicular Homicide: Analysis of People v. Watson (1981) Introduction People v. Robert Lee Watson is a seminal case decided by the Supreme Court of California on November 30, 1981....

Comprehensive Commentary on Samson v. Transamerica Insurance Company: Extending Policy Coverage and Insurer Liability

Date: Nov 24, 1981

Extending Policy Coverage and Insurer Liability: A Comprehensive Commentary on Samson v. Transamerica Insurance Company Introduction Samson v. Transamerica Insurance Company (30 Cal.3d 220) is a...

In re Ricky H.: Establishing Limits on Juvenile Authority Commitments

Date: Nov 10, 1981

In re Ricky H.: Establishing Limits on Juvenile Authority Commitments Introduction In re Ricky H., 30 Cal.3d 176 (1981) is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of California that addresses the...

Guarding Defendant Privileges: The People v. Collie Decision on Prosecutorial Discovery

Date: Oct 16, 1981

Guarding Defendant Privileges: The People v. Collie Decision on Prosecutorial Discovery Introduction The People v. Bertram Ellsworth Collie (1981) is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of...

Landrum v. Superior Court: Affirming Magistrate Authority to Dismiss Felony Complaints and Enforcing Timely Preliminary Examinations

Date: Oct 9, 1981

Landrum v. Superior Court: Affirming Magistrate Authority to Dismiss Felony Complaints and Enforcing Timely Preliminary Examinations Introduction Landrum v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County is a...

Redmond: Affirming the Importance of Timely Objections in Fourth and Fifth Amendment Claims

Date: Sep 15, 1981

Redmond: Affirming the Importance of Timely Objections in Fourth and Fifth Amendment Claims Introduction The People v. Robert Stewart Redmond, 29 Cal.3d 904 (1981), adjudicated by the Supreme Court...

Life Imprisonment Without Parole for Minors Unlawful: People v. Davis

Date: Sep 1, 1981

Life Imprisonment Without Parole for Minors Unlawful: People v. Davis Introduction People v. Michael Darrell Davis is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of California, rendered on August 31,...

Defendant’s Right to Dismiss with Prejudice Prevails Under CCP §581

Date: Aug 7, 1981

Defendant’s Right to Dismiss with Prejudice Prevails Under CCP §581: A Comprehensive Commentary on W.G. Wells v. Marina City Properties, Inc. Introduction The case of W.G. Wells v. Marina City...

Refining the Admissibility of Expert Testimony on Future Dangerousness in Capital Sentencing: Analysis of People v. Murtishaw

Date: Jul 28, 1981

Refining the Admissibility of Expert Testimony on Future Dangerousness in Capital Sentencing: Analysis of People v. Murtishaw Introduction Case: The People, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. David Leslie...

Establishing Reasonableness in Investigative Stops: A Comprehensive Analysis of People v. Leyba (1981)

Date: Jun 26, 1981

Establishing Reasonableness in Investigative Stops: A Comprehensive Analysis of People v. Leyba (1981) Introduction People v. Leyba (29 Cal.3d 591, 1981) is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court...

Protected Political Discourse in Defamation: Insights from Erwin Okun v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County

Date: Jun 16, 1981

Protected Political Discourse in Defamation: Insights from Erwin Okun v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County Introduction The case of Erwin Okun v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, decided...

Minimal Antagonism Does Not Preclude Class Action Certification: Richmond v. Dart Industries

Date: Jun 16, 1981

Minimal Antagonism Does Not Preclude Class Action Certification: Richmond v. Dart Industries Introduction In the landmark case of Harold H. Richmond et al. v. Dart Industries, Inc., decided on June...

Strengthening Substantial Evidence Requirements in Competency Verdicts: Analysis of People v. Samuel

Date: Jun 16, 1981

Strengthening Substantial Evidence Requirements in Competency Verdicts: Analysis of People v. Samuel Introduction The case of The People v. David T. Samuel (29 Cal.3d 489, 1981) adjudicated by the...

Immediate Distribution of Vested and Matured Retirement Benefits: In re the Marriage of Vera and Earl Gillmore

Date: Jun 9, 1981

Immediate Distribution of Vested and Matured Retirement Benefits: In re the Marriage of Vera and Earl Gillmore Introduction In re the Marriage of Vera and Earl Gillmore (29 Cal.3d 418) is a landmark...

Limits on Charging Defendants with Unspecified Offenses: People v. Lohbauer (1981)

Date: May 5, 1981

Limits on Charging Defendants with Unspecified Offenses: People v. Lohbauer (1981) Introduction People v. Robert Michael Lohbauer, 29 Cal.3d 364 (1981), is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of...