Opinion of the Court by Kruger, J.
The California Constitution grants voters the power of
referendum, which allows them to approve or reject laws
enacted by their elected representatives before the laws take
effect. But to prevent the referendum process from disrupting
essential governmental operations, the Constitution exempts
certain categories of legislation, including “

Homes, Inc.; and First Step Independent Living Program, Inc. (collectively petitioners)
filed a petition for writ of mandamus and damages and a complaint for declaratory relief
against the California Department of Developmental Services (Department) and its
director, Nancy Bargmann (collectively respondents). Petitioners challenged the
Department’s denial of their requests for a ra

A jury returned verdicts in favor of plaintiff Timothy King against defendant U.S.
Bank National Association (U.S. Bank) for defamation, wrongful termination in violation
of public policy, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
awarding King almost $24.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages. U.S. Bank
filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(Department) discharged Deputy Sheriff Meghan Pasos based on
her failure to report another deputy’s use of force against an
inmate and her failure to seek medical assistance for the inmate.
During the Department’s subsequent investigation Pasos
admitted she did not report the use of force because she was
concerned she would be “la

Petitioner Serena M. (mother), in propria persona, seeks an extraordinary writ
from the juvenile court’s orders issued at a combined 6-, 12- and 18-month review
hearing (Welf. & Inst. Code, §§ 366.21, subds. (e)(1) & (f)(1) & 366.22, subd. (a)(1))1 on
January 16, 2020, terminating her reunification services and setting a section 366.26
hearing as to her now 15-year-old daughter, C.

Baltimore, MD - The United States of America charged Sandra King, age 62, with embezzlement.

According to her guilty plea, from October 2014 through September 2019, King served as president of The Federation of Police and Security (“FOPS”), formerly known as the National Union of Protective Services Association, which represents private security guards in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Ma

Jose Torrecillas agreed with his employer, Fitness
International, to arbitrate claims. Instead Torrecillas sued in
court. When Fitness moved to compel arbitration, the trial court
deemed the agreement unconscionable. But there was little or no
unconscionability of any sort. Fitness encouraged Torrecillas to
consult a lawyer and their agreement included a term allowing
amend

Mobile, AL - The United States of America charged Dr. Russell A. Hudgens and Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C. (AOC) with violation of the Controlled Substance Act by failing to maintain proper records.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA). AOC, an orthopaedic clinic located in Mobile, Alabama, also operated a Workers’ Compensation Pharmacy (Pharmacy), where Dr. Hudgens served as the registran

Panama City, FL - The United States of America charged David Wayne Horton with fraud relating to cleanup work after Hurricane Michael.

The last remaining defendant indicted in a $5 million fraud against the City of Lynn Haven has pled guilty to a charge stemming from the Hurricane Michael-related scheme.

The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, alleged that in the wa

The Icee Company and J & J Snack Foods Corp. (collectively, Icee) appeal the
trial court’s order denying their motion to compel arbitration of a dispute with a former
employee. The employee, Taraun Collie, alleged a single cause of action against Icee
2
under the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA). (Lab. Code, § 2698 et seq.)1
We hold that under Iskanian v. CLS Transp

The United States of America charged Gerald G. Lundergan with unlawful corporate contributions to a Senate Campiagn.

On Sept. 12, 2019, following a five-week trial, a jury convicted Lundergan of one count of conspiracy, one count of making corporate campaign contributions, four counts of causing the submission of false statements to the FEC and four counts of causing the falsification of

Plaintiffs Teresa, Michael, and Ryan Savaikie appeal from
a judgment in favor of defendant Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
(Kaiser) after the trial court granted Kaiser’s motion for
summary judgment. Appellants sued Kaiser for the acts of its
volunteer Ralph Steger. Steger struck and killed 14-year-old
Wyatt Savaikie as Steger was driving his own vehicle home from
an assisted l

Petitioner Shaun Smith filed in this court, as an indigent defendant representing
himself in propria persona (pro. per.) in a pending criminal action, a petition for writ of
mandate, prohibition, or other appropriate relief (petition) against respondent Sacramento
County Superior Court, challenging respondent’s policies and procedures pertaining to
pro. per. defendants then in effe