NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — At the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach on May 21, Judge Maria Hernandez approved a plea agreement in a misdemeanor theft case over prosecution objections, sentencing the accused to custody time while two co-defendants connected to the same retail theft case remain fugitives.
The accused, who appeared in court alongside a Norwegian interpreter, was on trial in a theft-related case involving 16 felony charges that were reduced to misdemeanors. Connected to a Target retail theft incident in Orange County, Department H02 heard that the matter had been discussed previously before reaching a negotiated disposition.
Part of the negotiation was explained by Judge Hernandez, who noted that the theft was “much lesser than others in its category.” Emphasizing that all stolen merchandise had been recovered, the public defender argued the accused had a minimal criminal history, ongoing medical issues and a pregnancy while discussing sentencing…