The Supreme Court announced today it will hear six cases in April, the most arguments at a single sitting so far this term. However, the justices’ pace seems likely to still leave the court short of last term’s 58 arguments and opinions (also here), which was itself one of the court’s lowest numbers historically. To equal last term’s output, the court will need to schedule another 29 arguments over this term’s last three calendars.
None of the April arguments are in matters on our latest list of the 11 oldest non-capital cases on the court’s docket.
On Tuesday, April 8, in Los Angeles, the court will hear these cases (with the issue or issues presented as summarized by court staff or limited by the court itself):
People v. Wiley: Did the sentencing court’s consideration of circumstances in aggravation based on certified records of prior convictions, beyond the bare fact of the convictions, violate Penal Code section 1170, subdivision (b)(3) or defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial? The court granted review in March 2024. More about the case here.
People v. Rhodius: Does Senate Bill No. 483 (Stats. 2021, ch. 728) entitle a defendant to a full resentencing hearing under Penal Code section 1172.75 if the defendant’s prior prison term enhancements (Pen. Code, § 667.5, subd. (b)) were imposed and stayed, rather than imposed and executed? The court granted review in February 2024. More about the case here.
In re Bradshaw: In this attorney discipline case, the issue is, What is the appropriate discipline in light of the record in this case? The court granted review in May 2024. More about the case here.
Ford Motor Warranty Cases: When the court granted review in July 2023, it limited the issue to, “Do manufacturers’ express or implied warranties that accompany a vehicle at the time of sale [by a dealer] constitute obligations arising from the sale contract [between the dealer and a buyer], permitting manufacturers to enforce an arbitration agreement in the contract pursuant to equitable estoppel?” More about the case here.
Brown v. City of Inglewood: The court granted review in September 2023 and limited the issue to, “Are elected officials employees for purposes of whistleblower protection under Labor Code section 1102.5, subdivision (b)?” More about the case here.
People v. North River Insurance Company: (1) In a bail bond forfeiture proceeding under Penal Code section 1305, subdivision (g), may the court compel the prosecution to make an extradition decision or toll the appearance period to allow time for the prosecution to make an extradition decision? (2) Is the prosecutor’s decision whether or not to extradite a fugitive defendant detained in a foreign jurisdiction a fact that must be alleged in a motion to vacate bail bond forfeiture? The court granted review in November 2023. More about the case here.
Briefs for the cases will soon be posted here. The arguments will be live streamed. Opinions in the cases should file by July 7.