Lezama v. Justice Court

Opinion

KING, J.

Plaintiff Carmen Lezama and five coplaintiffs (Lezama) appeal from portions of a judgment denying declaratory and injunctive relief and attorney fees against the Justice Court of San Benito County (the justice court). We affirm.

I

The Facts

In 1981, the six plaintiffs were brought before the justice court on various misdemeanor charges arising from a labor dispute between their union and their employer. The justice court appointed defense counsel on the basis of indigence and subsequently assessed legal fees against plaintiffs at their sentencing hearings. The justice court gave…