A San Bernardino judge was correct in removing a public defender from his client against the defendant’s wishes, the California Court of Appeal ruled Nov. 8.
The published ruling sets precedent for removing attorneys under the recently enacted Racial Justice Act.
In a minority opinion, Appellate Justice Frank Menetrez argued that the public defender’s removal was unnecessary and improper.
The ruling comes from the case of Enrique Sanchez, who was charged Jan. 7, 2023, with five felonies: kidnap to commit robbery/rape, rape by force, injuring a cohabitant, forcible oral copulation, and assault with a deadly weapon.
The District Attorney Victim Advocate told
