The Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments at a special session in Monterey next month. One of the four cases to be heard is People v. Kopp, which we have identified as the oldest non-death-penalty case on the court’s docket.
On Wednesday, October 8, at the Colton Hall Museum in Monterey, the court will hear these cases (with the issue or issues presented as summarized by court staff or, when stated, as limited by the court itself):
People v. Shaw: When the court granted review in September 2024, it limited the issue to, “May two prior convictions arising out of a single act that harms multiple victims constitute two strikes under the Three Strikes law? (People v. Vargas (2014) 59 Cal.4th 635; People v. Williams (1998) 17 Cal.4th 148.)” More about the case here.
City of San José v. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: When the court granted review in August 2024, it limited the issue to: “Is the issuance of pension obligation bonds to finance unfunded pension liability subject to the voter-approval requirement of article XVI, section 18, subdivision (a) of the California Constitution?” More about the case here.
People v. Demolle: Speaking of old cases, this automatic direct appeal is from a December 2007 judgment of death, but that is a typical age for a capital appeal. The court’s website does not list issues for death penalty appeals. Counsel was appointed in March 2011. Initial briefing was completed in December 2017. Supplemental briefing was completed in June of this year.
People v. Kopp: When the court granted review in November 2019 (!), it limited the issues to: “Must a court consider a defendant’s ability to pay before imposing or executing fines, fees, and assessments? If so, which party bears the burden of proof regarding defendant’s inability to pay?” More about the case here and here. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero is recused; Second District, Division One, Court of Appeal Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild is sitting pro tem on the case. Horvitz & Levy is co-counsel for amicus UC Irvine law school’s Consumer Law Clinic.
Briefs for the cases will soon be posted here. The arguments will be live streamed. Opinions in the cases should file by January 5.
