Judge Steward was wrong to deny Deputy DA Watson's request to remand Scott Joachim

 

Another case that is a waste of my time, law enforcement time and resources and will continue to waste court resources, time and money due to California nonsensical laws and recent California Supreme Court rulings which have made it worse for public safety. California Governor Gavin Newsom can reduce the abuse and misuse of mental health diversion by signing AB 46 into law. The chances of that happening are are similar to Humboldt criminals and trolls having a complete conversion into decent human beings.

I have done several posts on AB 46. The most recent ones are:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/06/cdaa-urges-governor-newsom-to-sign-ab.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/05/for-too-long-judges-have-been-forced-to.html?m=1

In my update of the 6/16/26 hearing,  Joachim failed to appear and bench warrant for  $75,000 issued and held until 6/24. At that hearing, Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian told Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson that Joachim "has serious mental issues." 

I agree with Mr. Orbelian for once. Joachim does mental health issues. One only has to observe him for a couple of minutes. However, the Humboldt Public Defenders' office default for many cases is the catch all "mental issues."

I disagree with him often about what should be done with such defendants and many of the Deputy Public Defender's who use the criminal justice system and unleash mentally ill and violent offenders on the streets.

I had the misfortune of sitting next to Joachim for a very long morning on 6/24 in Courtroom 3. The bench warrant was withdrawn.

He was furiously scribbling notes in court and doing paperwork. On break, he wandered on while I was trying to check on court cases and court minutes and spoke with local attorney Ben Okin who had been checking e court a minute earlier. He rambled on and he isn't the only one at the Courthouse who is mentally ill or draining. Some cases were continued from 8:30 to 1:30 which is happening on a daily basis in Humboldt courts.

In the afternoon, Joachim provided the Faretta motion paperwork. DA confirmed for trial and Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steward said he would rule on the Faretta motion on 6/25.

On 6/25, the Faretta motion was denied and was filed "untimely." Judge Steward met with attorneys and Joachim in a closed courtroom which is a first in 12 years of covering Humboldt courts. Mr. Orbelian declared doubt. Criminal proceedings were suspended.

Deputy DA Jessica Watson's request for remand was denied by Judge Steward. I have previously commended Judge Steward for the way he handles mental health diversion cases. He is wrong to let Joachim out of custody. 

While Judge Steward may not be familiar with Joachim's family law case; he has more access to Joachim's criminal history which I included in my post about his arrest.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/06/scott-joachim-arrested-by-yurok-tribal.html?m=1

Supervision of mental health diversion does not work. Probation does not work and  cray cray  definitely does not work. The repeat offenders in Humboldt and California alone are evidence.

Releasing someone who was arrested again for a violent crime was not in the interest of public safety. Do the judges have to deal with the mentally ill they release on the streets or wandering about the Courthouse?

Instead of jury trial on 6/29, Joachim's case is on for OR bail. The hearing on Monday is in Courtroom 2. Depending on which judge is filling in that week, Joachim could remain out of custody.  Dr. Brunetto's  report is due on 7/16.

Criminal proceedings are suspended. There is no reason for me to follow the case. If I have time, I may check on the OR bail hearing.