California Supreme Court rulings

Some unanimous rulings:

The court upheld the murder convictions of Scott Peterson for killing his wife and their 8-month-old fetus, but overturned his death sentence because jurors who were willing to consider a death verdict were improperly dismissed. Opinion by Justice Leondra Kruger. Upheld a state law preventing public employees from increasing their pensions by increasing work hours in their final years, but also upheld a rule entitling public employees to the pensions that were in effect during their careers. Opinion by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Allowed President Trump to appear on this year’s California primary ballot, overturning a state law that would have disqualified candidates who refuse to release their tax returns. Opinion by Cantil-Sakauye.

Some nonunanimous rulings:

The court voted 5-2 to limit damages against nursing homes to $500 for violating state safety standards, rather than $500 for each violation. Opinion by Justice Ming Chin. Dissent by Justices Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar and Goodwin Liu. Voted 4-3 in 2019 to bar police from searching a car without a warrant after the driver has failed to produce a valid license. Opinion by Kruger. Dissent by Chin, CantilSakauye and Justice Carol Corrigan. Voted 4-3 in 2008 to overturn state laws that banned same-sex marriage. Opinion by Chief Justice Ronald George. Dissents by Justices Marvin Baxter, Chin and Corrigan.