Judge Dismisses Two Cases Due to Lack of Courtrooms

Press Release

(Woodland, CA) - On February 17, 2026, Judge Tom Dyer dismissed two misdemeanor cases set for trial due to a lack of sufficient judges and courtrooms. Under California Penal Code section 1382, felony and misdemeanor cases have specific statutory time frames to start the trial. Misdemeanor cases generally must start within thirty days, unless the defendant waives the statutory time frame and agrees to a different date.

Israel Alvarez had two cases set for trial on February 17, 2026 - Yolo County Court case numbers 26-0064 and 26-0173.

In case number 26-0064, Mr. Alvarez was charged with eleven separate violations of Penal Code 273.6, violations of a domestic violence restraining order. In a civil hearing, a judge issued a restraining order which included no contact with the victim in any way, including digital forms of communication. Mr. Alvarez, despite this court order, contacted his ex-wife on numerous occasions. He called from blocked numbers, sent multiple text messages, and left voicemails. The victim reported the violations on December 16, 2025. Mr. Alvarez was contacted by the Yolo County Sherrif's Department and admitted to violating the restraining order. He told law enforcement he was frustrated about seeing his son.

In a criminal complaint filed on January 12, 2026, in case number 26-0173, Mr. Alvarez was charged with a violation of Penal code section 148(a)(1), obstructing or resisting a peace officer and section 647(f), disorderly conduct in public involving alcohol. On January 9, 2026, the Davis Police Department received a phone call about a vehicle which had gone off the road after running a stop sign. In addition to Mr. Alvarez, there were two other individuals near the vehicle. It was not known who was driving the vehicle. Mr. Alvarez, when contacted, claimed he was a bystander, but was also extremely intoxicated.

Due to his proximity to the vehicle, officers elected to conduct a DUI investigation. Mr. Alvarez provided only a potential first name and refused to provide identification and began walking away from the scene. He would not comply with instructions to sit on the curb and was told by officers he was being detained. Mr. Alvarez then ran away from the scene. He was located approximately one hour later by a different officer. He was unable to stand up without help and smelled of alcohol. He vomited on the patrol vehicle and on the ground several times. He was taken to Sutter Davis Health for medical evaluation prior to booking at the jail.

Officers were able to identify him and noted that he was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for a felony domestic violence conviction (Yolo County case number 23-0598). At the hospital, Mr. Alvarez became more agitated. He told the officers he was not going to jail and to get him back into a patrol car they would have to fight him. He also claimed he was going to escape the handcuffs. Mr. Alvarez began hitting his head on his knees and the bed. To ensure Mr. Alvarez did not injure himself, officers attempted to place a helmet on his head as well as a device to limit the movement of his body. After being placed in the patrol car, Mr. Alvarez managed to remove the helmet. An officer attempted to put the helmet back on to protect Mr. Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez screamed at the officer and attempted to bite the officer's hand.

Mr. Alvarez requested both cases be set for jury trial without waving the 30-day time limit on January 15, 2026. The last day for both cases to start was February 17, 2026. On February 17, 2026, both cases were heard before Judge Tom Dyer, along with numerous other cases involving other defendants. The Court indicated to both the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney that there were not enough court rooms for either of the two cases to begin trial. The assigned prosecuting attorney told the court she was ready to proceed to trial on both cases and was not moving to dismiss. The Court invited the defense to waive time and continue the two cases, which was declined.

Generally, judges, under Penal Code section 1050, have the authority to continue cases past the last day, if there is a finding of "good cause." However, appellate courts have ruled that not having sufficient judges or courtrooms does not qualify as good cause as defined by the statute. As a result, Judge Dyer dismissed the two cases. Penal Code section 1050(j) mandates the Court, if it dismisses a case due to calendar congestion due to speedy trial issues, to immediately contact the Chair of the Judicial Council. The Chair is Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court Patricia Guerrero.

In addition to the two cases set for trial, Mr. Alvarez was on Post Release Community Supervision with specific terms to not possess or use alcohol, a no contact term as to the victim in case 26-0064, and to obey all laws. He had previously been found in violation of his terms.

District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated, "Each branch of government has specific responsibilities to fulfill to the public. Only the judicial branch has a responsibility to provide sufficient court rooms and judges such that all cases filed receive a just hearing and result. What happened today is a denial of justice to the victims in each of these cases. It is also an extreme waste of resources for all involved, including the victims, to prepare for trial, be ready for the case to start, and find out the case will be dismissed because there are not enough judges. This contributes to a lack of faith in the system providing justice to the victims and the public at large. This is unprecedented and to my knowledge has never happened before in Yolo County during my tenure as District Attorney."

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