Forensic Toxicology Blog
Evidence-based articles about toxicology, expert testimony, legal developments, alcohol, drugs, and forensic testing.
Judge Robert S. Draper’s Verified Answer in CJP Inquiry No. 212
Primary-source document: Judge Robert S. Draper’s verified answer to the California Commission on Judicial Performance’s Notice of Formal Proceedings in Inquiry No. 212. The answer was filed on February 4, 2026. In it, Judge Draper denies violating the judicial canons cited by the Commission, disputes the Commission’s characterization of several…
Age, Balance, and Field-Sobriety Evidence: What Population Research Can Show
Age-related balance research helps frame evidence review, but population averages do not diagnose impairment or establish why one person swayed.
Kratom Cardiac Arrest and the Limits of a Mitragynine Blood Level
A 500 µg/L mitragynine result in a survived cardiac arrest illustrates why concentration, treatment, specimen timing, and alternative causes matter.
California Racial Justice Act in Juvenile Court (2026): JV-720 Forms, Procedure, and Service Rules
A 2026 practitioner guide to California Racial Justice Act claims in juvenile court, including JV-720 through JV-723, the July 1 form revisions, counsel, discovery, hearings, and AB 1071 service requirements.
California Racial Justice Act Motion Checklist (2026): Evidence, Discovery, Service, Hearings, and Remedies
A 2026 California Racial Justice Act workflow for identifying the theory, preserving the record, seeking discovery, handling service, building comparator evidence, and matching the requested remedy to Penal Code § 745.
People v. Chhuon & Pan (2026): RJA Cultural Stereotypes, Context, and Harmless Error
California Supreme Court guidance on RJA cultural-stereotype claims, context, defendant-directed bias, harmless error, and a significant 4-3 split.
People v. Haddock (2026): RJA Evidence and Discovery
People v. Haddock (2026) explains how racially charged evidence can support a California Racial Justice Act claim and clarifies the standards for prima facie review and discovery.
In re Pride (2026): RJA Counsel and Discovery Standards
In re Pride (2026) clarifies the low threshold for appointed counsel and the separate good-cause standard for discovery under California’s Racial Justice Act.
In re Haney (2026): Racial Justice Act Discovery Before a Habeas Petition
In re Haney clarifies that California Racial Justice Act habeas petitioners may seek Penal Code section 745(d) discovery before filing a petition and without first making a prima facie showing.
Postmortem Alcohol Evidence: A Litigation Records and Source-Attribution Checklist
A litigation-focused guide to postmortem alcohol evidence, including specimen source, preservation, alternative matrices, biomarkers, higher alcohols, laboratory records, and questions for experts.
Montes v. Superior Court (2026): Jury-Selection Notes and Postconviction Discovery Under Penal Code § 1054.9
Montes v. Superior Court (2026) explains postconviction access to prosecution jury-selection notes under Penal Code § 1054.9 without a prima facie Batson/Wheeler showing.
People v. Williams (2026): Racial Justice Act Prima Facie Showings, Statistics, and Evidentiary Hearings
People v. Williams (2026) explains the prima facie threshold for Penal Code § 745 hearings and why generalized statistics or weak comparators may be insufficient.
