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Slip Opinions May 2001

   
         
         

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05-14-01 to 05-16-01
05-17-01 to 05-17-01

05-18-01 to 05-18-01
05-21-01 to 05-21-01
05-23-01 to 05-23-01

California Case Summaries
Slip Opinions May 2001

05-22-01 to 05-22-01

May 22 2001
A091657.PDF
P. v. Dieguez 4/30/01 CA1/3

Appellant Eliodoro Dieguez was convicted of perjury and one count of making a false material statement in support of a workers’ compensation claim, in violation of Insurance Code section 1871.4, subdivision (a)(1).[1]  The jury also found the jurisdictional clause true as to the false material statement count, but not true as to the perjury count.  The trial court granted appellant three years’ felony formal probation, on the condition he serve a 120-day jail term as to which he could apply for electronic home detention.

            On appeal, appellant contends we must reverse his conviction because the trial court failed sua sponte to give either a unanimity instruction pursuant to CALJIC No. 17.01, or an instruction on the element of specific intent to defraud with respect to the charge under section 1871.4.  Both in his direct appeal and by way of petition for writ of habeas corpus, appellant contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel because of the failure of his trial attorney to seek an instruction on specific intent or to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to confer jurisdiction on Contra Costa County to prosecute him under section 1871.4.  We disagree with all of appellants’ contentions, both on direct appeal and in his writ petition.  We therefore deny the writ and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

May 22 2001
A091657.DOC
P. v. Dieguez 4/30/01 CA1/3

May 22 2001
B138551.PDF
Cochran v. Cochran 5/22/01 CA2/5  
Plaintiff and cross-complainant Patricia A. Cochran appeals from the judgment of dismissal entered after the trial court sustained without leave to amend the demurrers which defendant and cross-defendant Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., brought to her cross-complaint for rescission of their 1983 property settlement agreement.[1]  She also appeals from the summary judgment entered for the defendant on her complaint for breach of an alleged agreement for lifetime support.  For the reasons set forth below, we reverse both judgments.

May 22 2001
B138551.DOC
Cochran v. Cochran 5/22/01 CA2/5

May 22 2001
C036049.PDF
P. v. Medina 5/22/01 CA3

Following defendant’s plea of no contest to felony vandalism (Pen. Code, § 594, subd. (b)(2); further undesignated section references are to the Penal Code), the trial court imposed the upper term of three years in state prison but suspended execution of sentence and placed defendant on probation.  Shortly thereafter, defendant admitted violating probation and the trial court imposed the previously suspended sentence.  In doing so, the trial court believed it lacked discretion to reinstate defendant to probation. 

     Defendant appeals contending the trial court failed to recognize its discretion to reinstate defendant on probation.  Defendant also contends the trial court erred in imposing a different restitution fine upon revocation of probation.  We find both contentions meritorious and reverse.

May 22 2001
C036049.DOC
P. v. Medina 5/22/01 CA3

May 22 2001
D036869.PDF

Alford v. Super. Ct. 5/22/01 CA4/1  
In this criminal action, defendant Maurice Alford, joined by codefendant Donny Durham, aka Donny Love (Love), petitions for a writ of mandate directing respondent Superior Court of San Diego County (the court) to vacate its November 15, 2000 order denying disclosure of two citizen complainants' names, addresses and telephone numbers regarding complaints of dishonesty of one of the arresting San Diego police officers, and to reissue its November 6, 2000 order requiring disclosure of such information.  The court had originally ordered such information released to the defense after finding good cause shown and conducting the required in camera hearing for a "Pitchess motion." [1]  (City of Santa Cruz v. Municipal Court (1989) 49 Cal.3d 74, 81-84 (City of Santa Cruz).)  After ruling the City of San Diego's (City's) proposed protective order sought on behalf of the San Diego Police Department and its individual officers was too broad and an effective protective order could not be issued, the court reconsidered and reversed the November 6, 2000 decision for disclosure.

May 22 2001
D036869.DOC
Alford v. Super. Ct. 5/22/01 CA4/1

May 22 2001
B142129.PDF
Fox Searchlight v. Paladino 5/22/01 CA2/7
Upon learning its former in-house counsel planned to sue for wrongful termination of employment, the company struck first by suing its former counsel for disclosing confidential and privileged information to the attorneys handling her wrongful termination case.  The former in-house counsel moved to strike the company’s complaint as a SLAPP suit.[1]  The company responded with motions to disqualify the attorneys representing its former counsel on the ground they possessed confidential and privileged information belonging to the company and material to the issues between the parties.  The trial court denied the SLAPP motion and the motions to disqualify counsel.  Both sides appealed.
 We affirm the trial court’s orders denying the motions to disqualify the attorneys representing the former in-house counsel.  We reverse the order denying the SLAPP motion.

May 22 2001
B142129.DOC
Fox Searchlight v. Paladino 5/22/01 CA2/7

May 22 2001
A085999M.PDF
Krantz v. BT Visual Images 5/22/01 CA1/4
Modification of Order

May 22 2001
A085999M.DOC
Krantz v. BT Visual Images 5/22/01 CA1/4

May 22 2001
G027143M.PDF
Brehm v. Super. Ct. 5/22/01 CA4/3
Modification of Order

May 22 2001
G027143M.DOC
Brehm v. Super. Ct. 5/22/01 CA4/3