California Supreme Court – Page 7

Former Gov. Brown Joins Newsom and Dems In Opposition to Voter Approval on Tax Increases

February 2, 2024 12:32 pmFebruary 2, 2024 12:35 pm

Former Governor Jerry Brown joined current Governor Gavin Newsom in opposition to the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act ballot measure in November that, if approved by voters, would give voters final approval on future taxes and fees imposed by...

Frequently Asked Questions about the Governor’s Pardon and Commutation Powers

January 12, 2024 2:35 amJanuary 12, 2024 2:36 am

Do the federal and state chief executives have pardon power? Yes, both the United States President and California’s Governor have the power to pardon. Where is the President’s pardon power found? The President’s pardon power is contained in Article II,...

California Supreme Court Reduces Sentences for Gang Murderers

December 28, 2023 2:45 amDecember 28, 2023 2:46 am

In a unanimous ruling announced on December 18, the California Supreme Court held that a 2021 bill that narrowed the definition of “street gang” to reduce the number of criminal defendants designated as gang members, did not violate Proposition 21,...

DA Gascon Tried to Side-Step California’s Three Strikes Law

December 13, 2023 6:47 amDecember 13, 2023 6:47 am

California’s “three strikes” law is widely popular and widely credited with cutting crime. It is also the bete noir of the progressive prosecutor and the “justice reform” movement, being blamed for excessive incarceration and arrest and sentencing racial disparities. The...

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Judicial Branch

November 23, 2023 6:53 amNovember 27, 2023 11:05 am

What does the California Constitution, in Article VI, Section 1 provide? It says that the judicial power of the state is vested in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts, all of which are courts of record. What...

Frequently Asked Questions about Statutory Construction California

October 27, 2023 7:51 amOctober 27, 2023 7:51 am

For those not familiar, I put together the following questions and answers for those queries that are most often posed regarding statutory construction in California. What is the purpose of statutory construction? The “fundamental task is to ascertain the Legislature’s...

Binding a Future Legislature

August 10, 2023 2:55 amAugust 10, 2023 2:56 am

You may have heard around the California State Capitol the following phrase: “You cannot bind a future Legislature.” What does that mean? And does it apply to the electorate, or just the Legislature? The California Supreme Court, in the case...