Jul. 30, 2026
Bench & Bar: July 30
California's latest jury selection reforms, mounting judicial shortages, and new limits on blanket judicial challenges are reshaping litigation across the state. This week's Daily Journal Perspectives examines three legal developments attorneys should be watching.
Stories in this week's episode:
California's new jury selection law changes the rules of the voir dire game
Felahy Trial Lawyers principal Allen Felahy breaks down Code of Civil Procedure section 231.7, which replaces the Batson/Wheeler test with a "substantial likelihood" standard and makes a wrongly denied objection automatically reversible.
The Inland Empire's court congestion crisis
With judicial vacancies continuing to strain Riverside and San Bernardino county courts, Justin H. King examines the growing backlog, the dismissed criminal cases that have followed, and practical strategies for litigators navigating crowded calendars.
Defending the judiciary's core function: J.O. v. Superior Court and our court's response
J.O. v. Superior Court marks a significant shift in the use of blanket judicial challenges. Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II explains how the decision--and Los Angeles County's new general order--promote transparency while preserving the legitimate use of Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6.
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