We hear a lot about judges who release dangerous criminals on their own recognizance or with very low bails, thus returning them to the streets where they can (and often do) reoffend. The public is understandably upset about this practice. Well, here’s the poster child for lenient judges who let thugs go free while their cases are pending.
His name is Judge Brian Caruth. He was appointed last year to the Alameda County Superior Court by Gov. Newsom. He’s a Stanford Law grad whose career has been spent largely as a public defender. His current term expires in January, 2027, at which time he can run for re-election if he chooses.
A few days ago, the Berkeley Scanner reported that “A man charged with multiple felonies, who is battling ICE to avoid deportation, was released on his own recognizance this week by an Alameda County judge,” Caruth, “over the objections of the Alameda County district attorney,” Ursula Jones Dickson. The man, Guillermo Medina Reyes, has been charged by Jones Dickson with five felonies:
• attempted carjacking
• attempted theft of a big rig truck
• grand theft
• attempted carjacking (for a second time)
• attempted auto theft
He also spent more than ten years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder when he was 16. In other words, this is not a nice guy, and certainly one we don’t want on our streets.
So why did Judge Caruth let him go? We don’t know with any precision, other than that Caruth, a registered Democrat, seems to be a liberal (who happens to be Black) with a certain degree of sympathy for criminals. Now, to be fair, there are many contributing reasons why a judge might left a defendant off so easily. All we know of this case is what has been reported in the media, which may or may not be accurate. The facts of the case, and not his personal ideology, may have prompted Judge Caruth to release Medina Reyes—and we don’t know those facts because they’re sealed. But still, based on what we know, something terrible seems to have occurred here—and God forbid that Medina Reyes should commit another horrible crime while he’s out there free.
I for one welcome the increasing displeasure the public has with these catch-and-release judges. At the very least, Judge Caruth should be compelled to explain, in ordinary English that everyone can understand, why he took this step. I think we, the public, are open-minded and fair. While we’re inclined to be skeptical of Judge Caruth in this case, we’re willing to listen to his side of the story. But there is currently no way to compel him to explain, or to say anything, which only adds to our mounting frustration every time we hear about these things. I urge the local media, especially the San Francisco Chronicle and Oakandside, to use their considerable resources to do some investigative journalism about Caruth, including why he released a dangerous, disreputable thug to freedom.
Have a great weekend!
Steve Heimoff