Dawn Geske News
California law imposes stricter punishment on prosecutors who withhold, falsify evidence
SAN FERNANDO – A new law signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown will make it a felony for prosecutors to withhold from the defense or falsify evidence in a case.
Berkeley's cell phone case questions judge's relationship with wireless industry
BERKELEY – The wireless industry has filed an appeal to stop notifying consumers of the harms of cell phone use at the point of sale for cell phone retailers under the Cell Phone Right To Know Ordinance.
Lawsuits against Bayer to be consolidated in Alameda County Superior Court
OAKLAND – A number of product liability suits brought against a birth control manufacturer on behalf of 900 women will have those cases coordinated before one judge in Alameda County Superior Court.
Lawyer: Northern District Court's ruling in Rose case could open more certification litigation
SAN FRANCISCO – A new ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has opened implied certification claims to the elimination of proof in a two-part test.
AirBNB files additional lawsuits to fight home-sharing city ordinances
SANTA MONICA – A series of lawsuits have been filed by home rental host AirBNB in an attempt to support the rights of its home rental users
American Small Business League continues fight against the federal government
PETALUMA – The American Small Business League (ASBL) has filed for an injunction to halt the alleged falsifying of small business contracts by the federal government.
Court determines police pursuit policy requires proof of understanding
SAN DIEGO – The recent ruling handed down in an appeals case against the Beaumont Police Department demonstrates that liability can still be an issue despite having policies in place to prevent problems.
Court: Banning gun purchases to medical marijuana cardholders does not violate Second Amendment
SACRAMENTO – A court has upheld a federal ban on medical marijuana cardholders in nine Western states, including California, to purchase a firearm.
California arbitration bill draws opposition, would force cases out of state
SACRAMENTO – Opposition has formed against an arbitration bill designed to increase time and cost burdens for arbitrators in California.
Joshua Tree Business Alliance takes fight against Dollar General to state Supreme Court
JOSHUA TREE – The opposition of a Dollar General store in a small rural community has been taken before the Supreme Court of California.
Delta Island purchase gets go ahead by state Supreme Court
LOS ANGELES – The California Supreme Court has ruled that a Southern California water supplier can go ahead with the purchase of the Delta Islands, regardless of the opposition and lawsuit against it.
Immigrants win right to bond hearing in mandatory detention cases in state
SAN FRANCISCO – Immigrants have won a major battle in California in their right to be detained without bond in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Northern California.
Law firm announces possible settlement for optical disk drive antitrust suit
SAN FRANCISCO – A class-action settlement case has been set up by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP for owners of optical disc drives manufactured by four electronics companies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
High court weighs in on whether insurance company should pay legal defense of company in sexual assault case
LOS ANGELES – An appeal has been filed in the 9th Circuit Court in a case where a construction company is looking for its insurance company to pay for its legal defense in a sexual assault case involving an employee and a minor.
Mission Bay Alliance files appeal to block Golden State Warrior arena construction
SAN FRANCISCO – Opponents against the Golden State Warrior arena in Mission Bay have filed an appeal to block the stadium from being built at the proposed location.
Pentagon files appeal not to release information in subcontracting plan
PETALUMA – The Pentagon has filed an appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Freedom of Information case against it regarding the Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test Program (CSPTP).
Investigation under way regarding California’s fuel prices
SACRAMENTO – Subpoenas have been issued to several oil refiners by the California attorney general in an investigation on how gas prices are put in place in California.
Pepsi named in class action for alleged use of cancer-causing chemicals in soft drinks
SAN FRANCISCO – A final hearing date has been set for the class-action lawsuit claiming a soft drink producer has used cancer-causing ingredients in its soft drinks.
Court denies unemployment to paraprofessionals, substitute teachers during summer months
SAN FRANCISCO – An appellate court has ruled to deny unemployment benefits to paraprofessional and substitute teachers during the summer.
Objector case to get review by California Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO – A class-action judgment will be reviewed by the California Supreme Court examining a 74-year-old law that requires objectors to procedurally intervene.