People v. Fischer CA4/1

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Fischer is a former Deputy Sheriff in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. On February 22, 2018, a criminal complaint charged Fischer with 14 counts based on allegations that while on duty, Fischer made inappropriate physical contact with several women. Fischer posted bail in the amount of $100,000. The Honorable Daniel B. Goldstein was assigned to Fischer’s case for all purposes. In August 2018, while Judge Goldstein was on vacation, the People filed a second criminal complaint against Fischer involving additional alleged victims. In connection with that filing, the People requested and received an order from a different judge, setting Fischer’s bail at $2 million. After Judge Goldstein returned from vacation, defense counsel requested at an August 20, 2018 hearing that Fischer’s $2 million bail be reduced to $210,000, consistent

with the bail schedule.2 After a lengthy hearing, at which the People argued the bail should remain at $2 million due to the nature of Fischer’s alleged

Defense counsel argued, “[L]et’s reduce bail to something that is rational and within reason. $2 million just boggles the mind.” The court noted, “The…