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Category Archives: Courts
Bell Corruption Case Ends in Mistrial, Rumors of Misconduct
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Amid a flurry of cryptic and accusatory notes from the jury, Judge Kathleen Kennedy declared a mistrial Thursday on the remaining undecided charges in the Bell corruption trial. "It seems to me all hell has broken loose," Kennedy said on Thursday … Continue reading
Prop. 8: How We Got Here (Video)
You might say the long journey of Proposition 8 began May 15, 2008, when a ruling came down from the California Supreme Court declaring that gay and lesbian couples had a legal right to get married.
Mayor Gavin Newsom celebrated at City Hall with a crowd of thrilled San Franciscans, “This door’s wide open now. It’s gonna happen whether you like it or not. This is the future, and it’s now.”
It was a historic ruling, but not a done deal.
The ruling infuriated supporters of traditional marriage, including Randy Thomasson, with Protect Marriage.
“It will spur Californians to go to the polls to override the judges and protect marriage licenses for one man and one woman in the California constitution,” Thomasson said.
Governor Proposes Charging Californians $10 to Search Court Records
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By Judy Lin, Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—In a move that is raising concern about limiting access to public documents, California courts could charge $10 for each record search under a proposal included in Gov. Jerry Brown's budget. The governor … Continue reading
Prop. 8 at the Supreme Court: What You Need to Know
In California's June 2000 primary, 61 percent of the electorate voted "yes" on Proposition 22, a measure that amended state law to read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized " in the state. The state Supreme Court overturned the law in 2008 as discriminatory, opening the way for same-sex couples to get legally married in the state. About 18,000 gay and lesbian couples took advantage of the chance to tie the knot.
But the door that had been opened to same-sex couples slammed shut in November 2008, when voters passed Proposition 8. The measure, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, passed with 52 percent of the vote.
Gay-marriage advocates immediately filed challenges with the California Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case, and in May 2009, the court upheld Prop. 8, another blow against same-sex marriage.
Timeline: The Long Battle Over Same-Sex Marriage in California
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When the Supreme Court arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, it will mark one more step in a long legal battle to determine the ultimate disposition of the same-sex marriage ban.
And while the legal battle over Proposition 8 has been long and winding enough, the battle over same-sex marriage in California actually goes back even further, as you'll see in this timeline.
Mixed Verdict In Bell Corruption Trial
The verdict is in for six former officials of the Los Angeles suburb of Bell standing trial for ripping off public funds. After 18 days, the jury in the case returned a mix of guilty and not guilty verdicts against … Continue reading
California Chief Justice Urges Lawmakers to Reinvest in Courts
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By Judy Lin, Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—California's top judge urged lawmakers on Monday to ensure equal access to justice by reinvesting in a court system that has been hit with years of budget cuts. While California has the distinction … Continue reading
Deliberations in Bell Corruption Trial Hit a Snag
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By Rachael Marcus Jury deliberations over the fate of six former Bell City Council members accused of corruption began anew today after the dismissal of a juror. The case went to the jury last Friday, but yesterday, the court dismissed a juror … Continue reading
Obama Argues Against California's Proposition 8 Gay Marriage Ban
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Advocates for same-sex marriage got a powerful new friend on Thursday: President Barack Obama.
In a legal brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Obama Administration argues against California's Proposition 8. (For full text, scroll to the bottom of this post)
The brief argues that the measure passed by voters in 2008 discriminates against gays and lesbians without justification.
The law is not necessary to protect procreation, as its defenders assert, the brief says. "Proposition 8’s denial of marriage to same-sex couples, particularly where California at the same time grants same-sex partners all the substantive rights of marriage, violates equal protection."
Calif. Supreme Court Hears Whether Cities Can Block Pot Dispensaries
by Michael Montgomery The California Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in San Francisco Tuesday on whether cities and counties can ban retail pot dispensaries – even though state law specifies that Californians have the right to obtain and use … Continue reading
