On Monday morning, the Supreme Court will file its opinions in People v. Cannon and People v. Alvarez. (Briefs here; oral argument videos here and here.)
Cannon is expected to decide what level of scrutiny applies in determining whether the Sexually Violent Predator Act (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 6600 et seq.) violates equal protection because it does not require an advisement or personal waiver of a jury trial as afforded in other civil commitment statutes. The court granted review in February 2023. More about the case here.
Alvarez is an automatic direct appeal from a June 2000 judgment of death. The court’s website does not list issues for death penalty appeals. Counsel was appointed in December 2004. Initial briefing was completed in September 2014. Supplemental briefing was completed in May 2024.
The opinions will issue on the last regular filing day (Mondays and Thursdays) within the normal 90-day period for the eight cases argued in late May. Opinions in three other late-May cases are delayed. (See below.)
Other argued but undecided cases are two of the eight early-May calendar cases, which have delayed opinions (see below), and six of the seven June calendar cases, four of which should file by August 28; the other two will be delayed (see below).
Because of post-argument briefing, a number of opinions will likely file outside the usual 90-day period: Taking Offense v. State of California, argued in early May, and Los Angeles Police Protective League v. City of Los Angeles, argued in late May, could be decided as late as November 10 (see here); the death penalty appeal opinions in People v. Bankston, argued in early May, People v. Chhuon and Pan, argued in late May, and People v. Barrera, argued in June, might not file until January 12, 2026 (see here); the People v. Cardenas death penalty appeal, argued in late May, could be decided as late as September 15; and the opinion in People v. Superior Court (Guevara), argued in June, might not file until October 9.
The Cannon and Alvarez opinions can be viewed Monday starting at 10:00 a.m.
