1st District Court of Appeal, Division One

People v. McCowan — Inventory Search of Towed Vehicle Upheld; Bruen Does Not Invalidate California’s Assault-Weapon and Magazine Bans

/ January 13, 2026

First District affirms convictions for possessing an assault weapon and a large-capacity magazine, holding the inventory search of the defendant’s vehicle was lawful and that California’s assault-weapon and magazine bans survive Bruen.

California Administrative Law Real Estate

Uncategorized

Mendocino Railway v. Meyer — Skunk Train Operator Qualifies as a Public Utility With Eminent-Domain Authority

/ January 7, 2026

First District reverses a trial-court ruling that the Mendocino Railway (operator of the Skunk Train) was not a public utility, holding that the railroad’s federal common-carrier status and demonstrated freight and passenger service make it a public utility entitled to exercise eminent domain.