Criminal Law

People v. James Fredrick Menefield, Case No. KJ12665 (Los Angeles County Superior Court-Juvenile Division) (filed motion to dismiss findings and disposition under Welfare and Institutions Code§ 782 on November 30, 2023. The court granted the motion on October 4, 2024)

In re Jared Brown, Case No. BA343335 (Los Angeles County Superior Court) (filed petition for writ of habeas corpus alleging violations of the Racial Justice Act during jury selection as well as newly discovered evidence of innocence. Court issued order to show cause and appointed counsel)

In re Mark Wayne Sprinkle, Case No. S265700 (California Supreme Court) (filed petition for writ of habeas corpus alleging that prisoner's continued incarceration in light of repeated parole denials by the Board of Parole Hearings constituted cruel or unusual punishment in violation of the California Constitution. Court ordered an informal response. The court denied the petition as moot in light of Mr. Sprinkle subsequently being released about four months after filing a reply to the informal response)

In re Tremayne Collier, Case No. A150054 (Court of Appeal, First Appellate District) (filed petition for writ of habeas corpus challenging first degree murder conviction under People v. Chiu, 59 Cal.4th 155 (2014). The Attorney General conceded that Mr. Collier was entitled to relief and the court granted the petition.)

People v. Tremayne Collier, Case No. 1981859 (San Francisco County Superior Court) (filed petition to vacate murder conviction under Penal Code§ 1170.95. The court granted the petition and Mr. Collier was released on 2-26-2019)

Federal Habeas Corpus

Daniel Lopez Chavez v. Heidi M. Lackner, Case No. 16-56352 (9th Cir.) (filed motion for certificate of appealability following the summary denial of a petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The court granted the motion and appointed counsel)

State Civil Litigation

Menefield v. Board of Parole Hearings, 13 Cal.App.5th 387 (2017) (writ of mandate properly denied because Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, § 2402(c) does not lack clarity nor is it unconstitutionally vague)

Galzinski v. Somers, 2 Cal.App.5th 1164 (2016) (drafted and filed the appellant's opening and reply briefs in this case. The court reversed the superior court's denial of a petition for writ of mandate and held that a police department has a ministerial duty to follow its own written procedures)

Menefield v. Foreman, 231 Cal.App.4th 211 (2014) (prison officials have a ministerial duty to process and respond to inmate grievances. However, denial of petition for writ of mandate affirmed)

Federal Civil Rights Litigation

Mark Wayne Sprinkle v. Leon Robinson, et al., Case No. 2:02-cv-01563 (E.D. Cal.) (civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 concerning the denial of access to the courts. Successfully aided in opposing summary judgment and settling the case for monetary compensation)

Manuel Caldera v. Snyder, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-00047-WBS-DMC (E.D. Cal.) (filed civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that correctional used excessive force. Court granted incarcerated person's prediscovery motion for the appointment of counsel because of his developmental disability)

Anderson v. Krpan, 659 Fed. Appx. 455 (9th Cir. 2016) (filed the opening brief in this appeal. The court reversed the district court's dismissal of the 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint for failing to state a claim)

Gary Andre Lacy v. H. Tyson, et al., Case No. 1:07-cv-00381-LJO-EPG (E.D. Cal.) (helped plaintiff complete discovery, filed discovery motions, and successfully defeated a defense motion for summary judgment)

James Fredrick Menefield v. James Yates, et al., Case No. 1:10-cv-02406-MJS (E.D. Cal.) (filed civil rights action alleging violations of the First Amendment and RLUIPA related to the denial of religious accommodations for incarcerated Muslims. Settled the case and prison officials agreed to provide incarcerated Muslims with adequate accommodations to observe religious mandates)

James Fredrick Menefield v. James Tilton, Case No. 1:08-cv-00751-CRB (E.D. Cal.) (filed civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging prison officials violated First and Fourteenth Amendments as well as RLUIPA by denying halal meals to incarcerated Muslims while granting kosher meals to incarcerated Jews. Won preliminary injunction compelling prison officials to provide the plaintiff with kosher meals. Ultimately settled the case for $10,000 and an agreement to provide halal meals to incarcerated
Muslims)