Browse recent court opinions from the California Supreme Court. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis of 30 cases. State Supreme Court.
Coastal Commission's denial of seawall permit upheld
Shear Development Co. v. Cal. Coastal Com., decided by California Supreme Court on April 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The core dispute involved whether the California Coastal Commiss...
Expert testimony based on nontestifying expert's statements doesn't violate Confrontation Clause
People v. Bertsch and Hronis, decided by California Supreme Court on April 20, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The California Supreme Court considered whether a defendant's right to confron...
California Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction, Upholding Admissibility of Defendant's Interrogation Statements
In People v. Morgan, the California Supreme Court addressed the admissibility of a defendant's statements made during a police interrogation. The defendant, Morgan, was questioned by police regarding ...
Court rules for dealership in wrongful termination and discrimination suit
This case involves a former employee, Fuentes, who sued Empire Nissan, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination. Fuentes claimed that Empire Nissan fired him because he was diagnosed with a se...
Court Upholds Search Warrant Based on Timely Informant Tip
This case involves a dispute over the admissibility of evidence obtained through a search warrant. The defendant, Sellers, was charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled subs...
Police union loses appeal over benefits for officers on paid administrative leave
This case involves a dispute between the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), a union representing police officers, and the City of Los Angeles. The LAPPL sued the City, alleging that the Cit...
City of Gilroy Prevails as Court Dismisses Discrimination Lawsuit Due to Untimely Government Claim
This case involves a dispute over whether the City of Gilroy could be sued for alleged discrimination by a former employee, Maria Rodriguez. Rodriguez claimed she was fired because she is Hispanic and...
CA Supreme Court: Digital searches must align with warrant scope
The California Supreme Court addressed the admissibility of evidence obtained through a "digital forensic examination" of a defendant's electronic devices, specifically focusing on the scope of the se...
City of San Jose can require employees to contribute to pension costs without voter approval.
This case involves a dispute over whether the City of San Jose could require its employees to pay a portion of their pension costs. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argued that this requirement...
Defendant's conviction upheld due to sufficient evidence and no significant legal errors.
This case involves a dispute over whether the defendant, Shaw, was properly convicted of a crime. The court reviewed the evidence presented at trial and the legal arguments made by both sides. Ultimat...
Court considers whether employee's termination was retaliatory or performance-based
This case involves a former employee, Ms. Morgan, who sued her former employer, Ygrene Energy Fund, Inc., alleging wrongful termination and discrimination. Ms. Morgan claimed that her termination was ...
Court Rules School District Did Not Discriminate Against Student Based on Gender Identity
This case involves a dispute over whether a child, referred to as S.R., was subjected to unlawful discrimination based on their gender identity. The court had to determine if the school district's act...
State of California Did Not Illegally Discriminate Against Company Based on Name, Court Rules
This case involves a dispute over whether the State of California unlawfully discriminated against a company called "Taking Offense" by denying them a contract. Taking Offense argued that the state's ...
City of Los Angeles Wins Case Against Police Union Over Disability Benefits
This case involves a dispute between the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), a union representing police officers, and the City of Los Angeles. The LAPPL sued the City, alleging that the Cit...
State of California Wins Appeal, Case Remanded
This case involves a dispute between a company, 'Taking Offense,' and the State of California. The specifics of the dispute are not detailed in the provided text, but it appears to be a legal challeng...
California appeals court orders new trial for assault charge due to flawed jury instructions on self-defense
This case involves a defendant, Guevara, who was convicted of multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. The prosecution presented evidence that Guevara shot at a ...
Court Upholds PUC Approval of Environmental Settlement Between PG&E and Center for Biological Diversity
This case involves a dispute over whether the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) properly approved a settlement agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the Center for Biological D...
California Court of Appeal Upholds Convictions for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted Murder
This case involves a defendant, Cardenas, who was convicted of multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. The prosecution presented evidence that Cardenas shot at ...
County of Los Angeles did not breach lease agreement with tenant
This case involves a dispute over a lease agreement between Olympic and Ga. Partners, LLC (the tenant) and the County of Los Angeles (the landlord). The tenant claimed that the County breached the lea...
California Supreme Court Upholds Good Faith Exception for Evidence Seized Under Defective Warrant
In this case, the California Supreme Court addressed the admissibility of evidence obtained through a search warrant that was later found to be based on insufficient probable cause. The court consider...
California Supreme Court Rules Voluntary Intoxication Can Negate Specific Intent for Murder
In this case, the California Supreme Court addressed whether a defendant could be convicted of murder if they were intoxicated to the point of being unable to form the specific intent to kill. The Cou...
Court Rules on Wrongful Termination and Breach of Contract Claims
This case involves a dispute between a former employee, Iloff, and their former employer, LaPaille. Iloff sued LaPaille, alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract. The core of the dispute s...
Intoxication Doesn't Invalidate Miranda Waiver If Rights Understood
People v. Alvarez, decided by California Supreme Court on August 18, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The California Supreme Court considered whether a defendant's confession, obtained after...
Minor's confession admissible despite age and interrogation length
People v. Cannon, decided by California Supreme Court on August 18, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The California Supreme Court considered whether a defendant's confession, obtained after ...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Employer in Wrongful Termination Case
Holland v. Silverscreen Healthcare, Inc., decided by California Supreme Court on August 14, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Holland, sued Silverscreen Healthcare, Inc. for wr...
Court Grants Writ of Mandate for Speedy Trial Violation
Hohenshelt v. Superior Court, decided by California Supreme Court on August 11, 2025, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. The petitioner, Hohenshelt, sought a writ of mandate to compel the Superior C...
Court Upholds CPUC Settlement Approval Despite CEQA Challenge
Center for Biological Diversity, Inc. v. Public Utilities Com., decided by California Supreme Court on August 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) ch...
CI statement inadmissible if not in writing and signed
In re Ja.O., decided by California Supreme Court on August 4, 2025, resulted in a remanded outcome. The case concerns the admissibility of a "confidential informant" (CI) statement in a dependency pro...
California Supreme Court Upholds Admissibility of Confession
People v. Dain, decided by California Supreme Court on August 4, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The California Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court's decision, holding that the defen...