california supreme court

An empty judge’s bench inside a wood-paneled courtroom holds a stack of papers, folders, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer beneath a red-tipped microphone, with warm brown walls filling the background.

Commentary

California judges defend their independence and the rule of law

President Trump, Gov. Newsom and other politicians pressured judges. But judges say they can’t bow to political or popular will, only to the law.

By

Robert Greene

• February 3, 2026

A child sits at a table holding a smartphone, watching a video of an adult demonstrating how to arrange pink plastic counting blocks into a square, with the blocks spread across the tabletop in front of them.

Technology

‘We’re basically pushers:’ Two California courtrooms hear how companies may have hooked kids on social media

Lawsuits in California federal and state court are unearthing documents embarrassing to tech companies — and may be a tipping point into federal regulation.

By

Colin Lecher

• January 30, 2026

A modern courthouse building with dark exterior panels and angled support columns lines a landscaped walkway, as a person walks toward the entrance in the foreground.

Justice

California chief justice steps up monitoring of immigration arrests at courthouses

California's top judge wants to deter immigration agents from making arrests in courthouses, a practice that she says instills fear in witnesses and litigants.

By

Cayla Mihalovich

• January 30, 2026

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at a crime scene in Sacramento on Feb. 28, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, Sipa USA via Reuters

Justice

Cops have to treat marijuana in your car differently after new California Supreme Court ruling

If you can't easily consume it, having marijuana in your car does not give California police the right to search the vehicle.

By

Nigel Duara

• January 29, 2026

Five immigration agents, dressed in camouflage riot gear and holding weapons, stand in the middle of a street while facing a crowd of bystanders and protesters.

Politics

California Democrats have new plans for confronting ICE: Taxes, lawsuits and location bans

The California Senate passed a bill that would make it easier to sue federal officers over civil rights violations. Recent shootings of civilians by immigration agents in Minnesota lent urgency to the measure, one of several targeting ICE.

By

Cayla Mihalovich

and

Maya C. Miller

• January 28, 2026

A person stands in front of a table with photos, buttons lights, and other items related to victims of drunk drivers. Other people stand by holding large photos of the victims.

Investigation

How a speeding ticket can be worse than killing someone with your car in California

A diversion program created by the Legislature in 2020 has allowed some people charged with vehicular manslaughter to keep the case off of their driving record.

By

Robert Lewis

and

Lauren Hepler

• December 17, 2025

A collage-style illustration, in blue and yellow tones, that shows a gray statue statue of lady justice holding scales with a large yellow sticker on it that says "sale!"

Investigation

The WalMart of public defense: How justice gets sold to the lowest bidder in rural California

Flat-fee contracts have been banned in other parts of the country. But, as the story of one law firm shows, they have flourished in the Golden State.

By

Anat Rubin

• December 17, 2025

United Farm Workers march in Delano in a caravan heading to the state Capitol on Aug. 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Economy

California court tosses Wonderful Company lawsuit over farmworker unionization law

The Wonderful Company sued to overturn a farmworker unionization law, but a California appeals court found the lawsuit was premature. The company contends the law is unconstitutional.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• November 26, 2025

A row of four police officers stand facing a group of protesters sitting in the middle of a street during a protest. The police officer in the middle faces towards the camera while holding a baton.

Justice

California Supreme Court strikes down warning on LAPD citizen complaint forms

California adopted criminal penalties for filing false claims against police officers 30 years ago. The state Supreme Court held that the LAPD went too far in advising people about those penalties when they file citizen complaints.

By

Nigel Duara

• November 10, 2025

The California Supreme Court during a court session at the Ronald Reagan State Office Building in Los Angeles on April. 3, 2024. Photo by Damian Dovarganes, AP Photo

Justice

California Supreme Court rejects free speech challenge to LGBT protections in nursing homes

The California Supreme Court upheld a law protecting the rights of LGBT people in nursing homes, including by forbidding employees from misgendering those patients.

By

Nigel Duara

• November 6, 2025