California Case Commentaries

Tracing Reimbursement Rights in Community Property Acquisitions: Insights from Walrath v. Walrath

Date: Apr 7, 1998

Tracing Reimbursement Rights in Community Property Acquisitions: Insights from Walrath v. Walrath Introduction In re the Marriage of Gilbert A. and Gladys J. Walrath (1998) is a landmark decision by...

Enhancing Brady Obligations: In re John George Brown and the Duty to Disclose Exculpatory Evidence

Date: Apr 3, 1998

Enhancing Brady Obligations: In re John George Brown and the Duty to Disclose Exculpatory Evidence Introduction In the landmark case In re JOHN GEORGE BROWN on Habeas Corpus (17 Cal.4th 873), decided...

Establishing Cumulative Prejudice Through Prosecutorial Misconduct: People v. Hill

Date: Mar 31, 1998

Establishing Cumulative Prejudice Through Prosecutorial Misconduct: People v. Hill Introduction People v. Hill (17 Cal.4th 800, 1998) marks a significant precedent in California jurisprudence,...

California Supreme Court Upholds Discipline for Prelicensure Misconduct in Architecture

Date: Mar 27, 1998

California Supreme Court Upholds Discipline for Prelicensure Misconduct in Architecture Introduction In the landmark case Charles Scott Hughes v. Board of Architectural Examiners (17 Cal.4th 763,...

California Supreme Court Establishes Limits on Recovery of Attorney Fees After Voluntary Dismissal in Contractual Disputes

Date: Feb 27, 1998

California Supreme Court Establishes Limits on Recovery of Attorney Fees After Voluntary Dismissal in Contractual Disputes Introduction In the landmark case of Benjamin Santisas et al. v. Robert J.J....

Affirmation of Private Enforcement under California’s Unfair Competition Law in Penal Code Violations

Date: Feb 24, 1998

Affirmation of Private Enforcement under California’s Unfair Competition Law in Penal Code Violations Introduction The landmark case, Stop Youth Addiction, Inc. v. Lucky Stores, Inc. (17 Cal.4th 553,...

Section 12022.9 Affirmed as Sentence Enhancement in Multiple Murder Cases

Date: Feb 20, 1998

Section 12022.9 Affirmed as Sentence Enhancement in Multiple Murder Cases Introduction In the case of The People, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. William Michael Dennis, Defendant and Appellant (17...

Admissibility of Out-of-State Appellate Opinions in Determining Prior Convictions: People v. Woodell

Date: Feb 12, 1998

Admissibility of Out-of-State Appellate Opinions in Determining Prior Convictions: People v. Woodell Introduction In The People v. Russell D. Woodell, 17 Cal.4th 448 (1998), the Supreme Court of...

Independent Source Doctrine Affirmed in People v. Bennett: Upholding Fourth Amendment Protections

Date: Feb 3, 1998

Independent Source Doctrine Affirmed in People v. Bennett: Upholding Fourth Amendment Protections Introduction People v. Edwin Winslow Bennett is a seminal case decided by the Supreme Court of...

Limitation of Civil Code Section 52.1 in Private Interference Cases: FLOYZELL JONES v. KMART CORPORATION

Date: Jan 30, 1998

Limitation of Civil Code Section 52.1 in Private Interference Cases: Floydell Jones v. Kmart Corporation Introduction The case of Floydell Jones et al. v. Kmart Corporation et al. (17 Cal.4th 329)...

Supreme Court of California Establishes State Representation of District Attorneys in Section 1983 Liability

Date: Jan 30, 1998

Supreme Court of California Establishes State Representation of District Attorneys in Section 1983 Liability Introduction In the landmark case of Ricky Lynn Pitts et al. v. County of Kern et al....

Reaffirmation of the Corpus Delicti Rule and Its Application in Capital Murder Cases: People v. Ronald Anthony Jones

Date: Jan 30, 1998

Reaffirmation of the Corpus Delicti Rule and Its Application in Capital Murder Cases: People v. Ronald Anthony Jones Introduction In the landmark case of The People, Plaintiff and Respondent, v....

Discretionary Authority in Three Strikes Sentencing: Analysis of People v. Ramirez Rodriguez

Date: Jan 16, 1998

Discretionary Authority in Three Strikes Sentencing: Analysis of People v. Ramirez Rodriguez Introduction People v. Ramirez Rodriguez, 17 Cal.4th 253 (1998), is a pivotal case in California's legal...

Implied Miranda Waiver in the Context of Minimal Mental Impairment: Insights from People v. Whitson

Date: Jan 16, 1998

Implied Miranda Waiver in the Context of Minimal Mental Impairment: Insights from People v. Whitson Introduction People v. Scott Alden Whitson, 17 Cal.4th 229 (1998), adjudicated by the Supreme Court...

Good Faith Standard in Wrongful Termination: Ralph Cotran v. Rollins Hudig Hall International, Inc.

Date: Jan 6, 1998

Good Faith Standard in Wrongful Termination: Ralph Cotran v. Rollins Hudig Hall International, Inc. Introduction Ralph Cotran v. Rollins Hudig Hall International, Inc. is a landmark case decided by...

Enhancing the Boundaries of Three Strikes: PEOPLE v. WILLIAMS

Date: Jan 6, 1998

Enhancing the Boundaries of Three Strikes: PEOPLE v. WILLIAMS Introduction PEOPLE v. WILLIAMS, 17 Cal.4th 148 (1998), is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of California that delves into the...

Severability of Fee Agreements in Unauthorized Practice of Law: Birbrower v. Superior Court

Date: Jan 6, 1998

Severability of Fee Agreements in Unauthorized Practice of Law: Birbrower v. Superior Court Introduction The landmark decision in Birbrower, Montalbano, Condon Frank, P.C., et al. v. Superior Court...

Establishing the Child Dependency Hearsay Exception: A Comprehensive Analysis of In re Cindy L.

Date: Dec 30, 1997

Establishing the Child Dependency Hearsay Exception: A Comprehensive Analysis of In re Cindy L. 1. Introduction The case of In re Cindy L. addressed a critical issue within juvenile law: the...

Aerojet-General Corp. v. Transport Indemnity Co.: Defining Defense Costs in Commercial General Liability Insurance

Date: Dec 30, 1997

Aerojet-General Corp. v. Transport Indemnity Co.: Defining Defense Costs in Commercial General Liability Insurance Introduction Aerojet-General Corporation et al., Cross-complainants and Appellants,...

Establishing Pattern of Criminal Gang Activity Through Concurrent Offenses: Insights from People v. Loeun

Date: Dec 23, 1997

Establishing Pattern of Criminal Gang Activity Through Concurrent Offenses: Insights from People v. Loeun Introduction People v. Chanda John Loeun, 17 Cal.4th 1 (1997), adjudicated by the Supreme...