People v. Williams

Opinion

MOSK, J.

Penal Code section 1385, subdivision (a) (hereafter Penal Code section 1385(a)), provides in pertinent part: “The judge or magistrate may ... of his or her own motion . . . , and in furtherance of justice, order an action to be dismissed. The reasons for the dismissal must be set forth in an order entered upon the minutes. . . .”

In People v. Superior Court (Romero) (1996) 13 Cal.4th 497 [53 Cal.Rptr.2d 789, 917 P.2d 628] (hereafter sometimes Romero), we explained that the “power to dismiss an action,” on a trial court’s own motion, “in furtherance of justice” pursuant to Penal…