Sanchez

I. INTRODUCTION

In this writ proceeding, defendant and petitioner Enrique Sanchez seeks a writ of

mandate ordering respondent superior court to vacate its order directing the San

Bernardino County Public Defender (public defender) to assign a new attorney from its

office to represent petitioner in his criminal proceedings. The trial court issued the order

after receiving evidence that the deputy public defender currently assigned to represent

him made remarks invoking defendant’s race as a factor to consider during plea

negotiations, potentially in violation of the Racial Justice Act (RJA) (Pen. Code,1 § 745).

We conclude that petitioner has failed to establish an abuse of discretion warranting

reversal of the trial court’s order under the circumstances presented in this case. As such,

we deny the petition.

II. BACKGROUND

In October 2023, the People filed an information alleging petitioner committed

multiple criminal offenses arising out of an incident that occurred on January 7, 2023.

The public defender was appointed as defendant’s counsel and a specific deputy public

defender from its office (deputy public defender) was assigned to handle defendant’s

case.

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