IMPORTANT PROP 9 (MARSY'S LAW) UPDATE!!!

Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal of the State of California in the Third Appellate District, Arthur G. Scotland has ruled that a Yolo County judge that banned a victim’s mother from his courtroom must explain his actions.

Crime Victims United Advisory Board member Bilenda Harris-Ritter filed the appeal on behalf of the victim’s mother. She was banned from the courtroom during the trial of the murderer of her son. The National Crime Victims Law Institute asked Crime Victims United Executive Board Member Nina Salarno Ashford to file an amicus curiae brief in support of the victim. Citing the victim’s rights under Proposition 9 (Mary’s Law), Ms. Salarno Ashford filed the brief with the Third Appellate District Court. The presiding judge agreed, and now Yolo County Judge Warriner will have to explain his actions. “This is a great victory for victims. Precedence has now been set for the state of California and if other victims run into this problem, we have a case to refer to rather than waiting for appeals” said Crime Victims United Executive Board Member Nina Salarno Ashford. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig commented, “This is a big decision for victims.”

YOLO COUNTY
PROP 9 UPDATE

The case in Yolo county where the mother of a murder victim has been ban from the courtroom has received quite a bit of attention lately.  While the Third Court of Appeal has issued an Alternative Write ordering the trial court to grant relief to the mother, who is represented by CVU Advisory Board Member, Attorney Bilenda Harris Ritter, the case has not yet been decided.  As CVU stated in our previous update, the judge must explain his actions. The Trial Court has until June 1 to explain in writing their reasoning if it does not grant the relief requested.  The relief Ms. Harris Ritter requested was that the trial judge vacate his ruling excluding the mother of the murder victim from the trial. 

After June 1, Ms. Harris Ritter, on behalf of the petitioner has until June 15 to file a reply brief.  After that the appeals court will likely make a final ruling on all merits.  CVU will continue to issue updates on this case as Ms. Harris Ritter keeps us informed.