The lack of a lack of judges in Modoc County leads to a dismissal of the case for domestic violence against criminal violence

According to the public prosecutor's office of the Modoc district, the district dismissed a case of domestic violence because on February 27, 2025 the judges lack.

The judge of the Supreme Court, Wendy Dier, dismissed the criminal proceedings against the accused Angela Totten and said that the reason for the dismissal was due to the fact that the state of California had failed a second judge in Modoc County for over a year.

According to the district prosecutor of Modoc, Totten was burdened with a battery, battery on a spouse and the arrest. The office says that these charges have a prison sentence of up to two and a half years in the district prison.

Stephen King, the public defender of Totten, submitted an application for dismissal on February 17, since Ms. Totten's constitutional right to a quick procedure was violated.

Judge Dier says that the reduced number of judicial officers had a significant negative impact on the court's ability to manage his increasingly strong calendar, despite the task of judges from other counties.

“This discharge is an essential example of the institutional roadblocks that not only prevent the public prosecutor, but also the law enforcement authorities from preventing criminal offenders in Modoc County, who is responsible for their actions,” said prosecutor Nina Salarno. “Our office works hard to ensure that we are ready to advance all criminal matters presented at the court,” she added.

Governor Newsom recently appointed Randall Harr, a lawyer from Fall River Mills, the new judge of the Supreme Court of Modoc County, who was sworn in on Friday, February 28th. The district's public prosecutor's office is confident that the appointment of an additional judge will help reduce the backlog of cases and to bring the accountability back into the courtroom.