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San Benito County Crime & Justice Articles



Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Public Defender Oversight Committee Seeking Members

Information provided by the County of San Benito. Lea este artículo en español aquí.The Public Defender Oversight Committee (PDOC) under the approval of the Board of Supervisors has four vacancies available to be filled by community members. The role of …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
City of Gilroy Cleared of Liability in Shooting Deaths at Armendariz Residence

The City of Gilroy has been dismissed from all litigation filed by the families of two young men who died as a result of a 2021 shooting at the home of City Council member Rebeca Armendariz.

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Judge Visits Local Schools

Lea este artículo en español aquí.Though San Benito County Superior Court Judge Omar Rodriguez was 40 miles southeast of his courthouse, he donned his robe and gathered up his blue code book and gavel. Rodriguez was visiting with Panoche Elementary …

Image caption: Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a staunch defender of voting rights.
The Attack on the Popular Vote

In more than 30 states, it’s harder than ever to vote this year. But in California, it’s never been easier.

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
BL Special Report: Restorative Justice Circles Help Incarcerated and at-Risk Youth

Lea este articulo en español aquí.This report is in partnership with the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for Health Journalism as part of a series for the 2024 California Health Equity Fellowship.When Marisol Palomares sets up a room for …

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
BL SPECIAL REPORT: Why Do Young People in San Benito County Join Gangs?

Lea este artículo en español aquí.This reporting is in partnership with the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for Health Journalism as part of a series for the 2024 California Health Equity Fellowship. The names of some of the individuals …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
DA Launches New Online Data Portal

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office launched a public data dashboard last week to support what they said will promote “transparency, accountability, and community engagement” within the criminal justice system.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
San Benito County Jail Escapee Captured in San Jose

Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from the San Benito County Jail on May 28, was arrested in San Jose Wednesday night following a regional manhunt, authorities said. 

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
San Benito County Jail Escapee Captured in San Jose

Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from the San Benito County Jail on May 28, was arrested in San Jose Wednesday night following a regional manhunt, authorities said. 

Image caption: The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
County Approves New Public Defender Contract

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors approved a two-year contract last week with the law offices of Harry Damkar as the new primary public defender in the county. The move comes after a report by the Office of the …

Image caption: A new law seeks to prevent cars from speeding, which causes about one of every three traffic fatalities.
If Drivers Won’t Slow Down, Proposed Law Requires Cars Do It for Them

“Intelligent” speed-limiting technology will be required in all new California cars starting in 2027, if a new law authored by San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener passes.

Image caption: Under a new law, homeless people in San Mateo County can be criminally charged for refusing to move to a shelter.
Should Homelessness be a Crime? New San Mateo County Law Allows Charges

In San Mateo County, a new law allows police to charge homeless people with criminal offenses if they don’t accept shelter. SCOTUS will soon weigh in with a potential landmark decision in an Oregon case.

Image caption: California traffic deaths dropped by 12 percent in the first three months of 2023, but road fatalities remain at crisis levels.
Death on the Roads: Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over

As the COVID pandemic eased, so did the epidemic of death on the road. Somewhat. But the ongoing crisis of traffic fatalities remains at high levels with early numbers form 2023 appearing to top 4,000 in California.

Image caption: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (L) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faced each other in person at last in an acrimonious Fox News debate Nov. 30.
Newsom, DeSantis Finally Square Off in Wild Fox News Debate

Governors Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) faced each other on a debate stage and traded blows, barbs, and zingers over the relative merits of their states in a Fox News debate that was nothing if not entertaining.

Featured

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.
Access to abortion in California is limited in many areas, though state laws protect a woman’s right to choose.
Abortion Rights in California, Explained
But even in California, access to abortion services in many areas remains limited.
The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here
The making of Gov. Newsom's plan to help get mentally ill Californians into treatment.
The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.
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