John Chiv: More Humboldt judges should handle continuances and mental health diversions like Judge Steward; Scott Brooks with 5 open cases and prior convictions is just one example

Oct 26, 2025

More Humboldt judges should handle continuances and mental health diversions like Judge Steward; Scott Brooks with 5 open cases and prior convictions is just one example

Reckless driving is just one of Scott Risling Brooks' five open cases. The other 4 are trailing. Drug charges and probation violations in his open cases; previous conviction for insurance fraud and prior probation violations.

Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner is Brook's attorney. Several Huumboldt County Deputy District Attorneys have appeared on Brook's case.

At the 10/22, Readiness Conference, it was Deputy DA Candace Myers. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward continued the Readiness Conference to 10/27 with a hearing on the petition on mental health diversion. As previously reported, Brooks is at Archway Recovery Services,. Defense oral motion to continue was jury trial denied and there is a contested hearing on the mental health diversion.

More Humboldt judges should rule like Judge Steward and deny continuances. More judges should also handle mental health diversion like Judge Steward taking each case individually and weighing public safety. I have not had a chance yet to update Judge Steward's remarks in the Aunna Bollman case from 8/27 or his tentative ruling from 10/24 due to the many reasons I have explained several times over the years. Just the constant multiple continuances with repeat offenders with several cases like Brooks happening on a daily basis create a backlog where it is impossible to catch up for attorneys, law enforcement and even with working 24/7, I cannot keep up because there are new criminals clogging the system every day. I also do other news and national news.