On Monday morning, the Supreme Court will file its opinions in Ruelas v. County of Alameda and People v. Reynoza. (Briefs here; oral argument videos here and here.)
In Ruelas, the court agreed in January 2023 to answer this question posed by the Ninth Circuit — “Do non-convicted incarcerated individuals performing services in county jails for a for-profit company to supply meals within the county jails and related custody facilities have a claim for minimum wages and overtime under Section 1194 of the California Labor Code in the absence of any local ordinance prescribing or prohibiting the payment of wages for these individuals?” More about the case here and here.
Reynoza should decide whether Penal Code section 136.1, subdivision (b)(2), which prohibits dissuading or attempting to dissuade a victim or witness from causing a charging document “to be sought and prosecuted, and assisting in the prosecution thereof,” encompasses attempts to dissuade a victim or witness after a charging document has been filed. The court granted review in May 2022. More about the case here.
These two will be the first of four opinions for cases argued in February. The other two cases should be decided by May 6. Additional argued but undecided cases are the six from the March calendar (opinions expected by June 3) and the six on the April calendar (opinions expected by July 1).
The Ruelas and Reynoza opinions can be viewed Monday starting at 10:00 a.m.