Criminal
Oct. 20, 2026
Dissent warns appellate ruling opens door to judge shopping
Justice Kenneth R. Yegan accused his colleagues of elevating a procedural technicality over judicial integrity by allowing a second trial judge to reverse an earlier decision denying relief under California's Three Strikes law.
A Court of Appeal justice warned Monday that a ruling upholding a reduced prison sentence for a repeat offender could encourage defendants to shop for sympathetic judges, accusing his colleagues of sacrificing the orderly administration of justice to a procedural technicality.
"The judge shopping lamp has now been lit," Justice Kenneth R. Yegan wrote in dissent from a 2-1 decision by the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
The published ruling upheld a 27-year, eight-...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In