San Francisco Judges Should Inform Us About What Goes on in Court
by John Trasviña, an active member of Stop Crime SF (originally published in “The Voice SF”)
Because of a judicial error, courts toss dozens of misdemeanor cases without a trial:
“Throughout the Bay Area, hundreds of misdemeanor charges have been dismissed, or will be shortly, in response to a state court order involving the San Francisco Superior Court. The appellate ruling in Mendoza v. Superior Court and subsequent finger pointing of blame between the San Francisco Superior Court and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, underscore the need for judges to educate the public about their role and responsibilities in the legal system.
One thing is certain: Crime victims, criminal defendants, and the general public were poorly served by the Superior Court’s post-Covid refusal and delay to schedule trials. Mendoza was charged with various driving-related misdemeanors, including DUI, in October 2021 but a trial on the charges was delayed for over two years in response to the courtroom shutdown because of Covid. After government shutdown orders were lifted, Superior Court judges further delayed her trial date despite her objections. A different local judge denied her appeal but a state court of appeal ruled that our local Superior Court judges violated her state constitutional right to a speedy trial.
As a result, Mendoza’s charges have now been dismissed without a trial. No findings of innocence or guilt. No day in court for victims.